Our Project Consultants will complete a thorough inspection of your entire roof system, as well as gutters, downspouts, siding, window screens, decks, soft metals and other components of your home that may have damage from hail stones. In some cases, if the damages are minimal, a repair may be approved by the insurance company. However, in most cases, when a severe hail storm has passed through the area, there will be enough damage on the roof to warrant a replacement. As a part of the process of inspecting your entire roof, your Project Consultant will examine a “test square” to determine the amount of damage in an isolated area. This will provide us and the insurance company with an indication as to the level of damage sustained, and what degree of restoration is required.
Slate Roof Damage
Although slate is known to be a very durable product, hail stones can cause serious damage to slate tiles, by either cracking or puncturing them. Cracks and punctures will increase the likelihood of leaks and shorten the length of the roof life. Depending on the size and impact of the hail, the damage may be obvious, however small punctures can be difficult to see from street level even though they pose a serious threat to the roof.
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Asphalt Roof Damage
Hail damage to asphalt roofing is in the form of punctures or bruises (see below) which can fracture the shingles. These punctures can go all the way through the shingles, causing exposure of the underlayment to the elements. While leaks and interior damage may not be immediately evident, hail strikes to your roof will increase the risk of water seepage through the asphalt shingles.
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Cedar Shake Roof Damage
Cedar shakes typically show splitting or cracking when impacted by a hail stone. Our Project Consultants use HAAG Engineering guidelines to determine when a crack or split in a cedar shake is the result of a hail impact. This may be difficult for the untrained eye to determine, as cedar shake is more susceptible to splits and cracks as the roof significantly ages. If a cedar shake roof is nearing the end of its life span, a hail storm can cause significant damages to the shakes that have grown more frail (see picture below, right).
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To schedule a time for your free roof inspection and consultation contact our office at 301-417-1000or 412-421-ROOF or fill out our online request form.
