4 STEPS FOR DETECTINGROOF HAIL DAMAGE

EFFECTIVELY

IntroductionSo after a hail storm, walk around your houseand follow these 4 determination steps todetect the damages caused by hailstones andweather.

Detecting roof hail damage after a hail storm canbe a difficult task. Experts say the best things tolook at when you are trying to determine thepossibility of hail damage are the downspouts,gutters, metal vents, and roofing shingles.According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes,hail causes more than $1.6 billion worth of damagein an average year to residential roofs in theUnited States, making it, year in and year out, oneof the most costly natural disasters.

Check around the downspouts. When hail impacts roofingshingles, it degrades the shingle and tends to knock off thegranules. In most cases, this damage cannot be seen by theuntrained eye, but if you have standard asphalt shingles on yourhouse, you'll want to check around the downspouts for excessivegranule buildup. If evident, there is a strong chance there hasbeen roof damage from the storm. Just remember that this maysimply be due to the age of the roofing material, so furtherinvestigation is needed.

1. Look for Mineral Deposits

2. Gutter andDownspout DingsInspect all your downspouts andgutters for dings. Some of the newermetal gutters are thin enough thathail the size of a marble will easilycause dents. Once again, if thedamage is evident, then thepossibility of roof damage does exist.

3. Inspect for leaksTo an untrained professional, hail damage is notalways apparent from the ground. Roof damagedoes not always cause immediate leaks, and all toooften, hail damage is not discovered until afterleaking or another serious damage occurs. Asdamaged shingles degrade, your roof may begin toleak, so inspect your interior ceiling after heavyrain for any apparent water damage. Waterstaining anywhere on the ceiling is a good sign ofroof damage.

4. Inspecting for Hail Damageto Vents and ShinglesPlease only do this if you have easy access to yourroof and the slopes are not that steep. Once ontop, look at the vents, the drip edge, the fascia,and your gutters for signs of damage. Look at theroof shingles for circular dimples or areas wherethe shingle mineral is missing. Hail might produce a"dent" or a damage point in an asphalt shingleroof surface, resulting in granule loss and reducedremaining roof lie.

ConclusionNow it's time to take action. If you have 10hits in a 10ft square, or if any of the abovesteps result in positive indications, call for ahail damage professional inspection. Mostwill provide an estimate for free. Ask eachif they think it's enough to warrant getting

your insurance company out. You maywant to call your insurance company

anyway as they make the finaldetermination and the worst that can

happen is they deny the claim.