It’s summer in the Midwest, which means hail storms could pop up in your area. How do you recognize hail damage on your roof? What should you do if you need hail damage repair services? Let’s look at the different ways hail damage appears on different roof types as well as how to make a hail damage roof insurance claim for residential roof repair.
How Does Hail Damage Appear on Different Types of Roofs?
When hail hits your roof, it’s going to impact the roof in some way, but signs of hail damage appear differently on different roof types. For example, slate roofs generally resist hail damage, but when they do sustain damage, it appears in the form of cracked or broken panels. Hail can also leave jagged holes in the middle of slate panels. That’s very different from hail damage on asphalt shingle roofs, which often loosens the shingles’ granules (the ceramic flecks on each shingle’s top layer). When hail hits asphalt shingles, they can also create soft depressions in the shingle that leave the shingles open to water absorption and deterioration, which can cause roof leaks and other problems.
Additionally, different flat roof membranes sustain hail damage in different ways. Modified bitumen and built-up roof (BUR) membranes resist hail damage the most because of the gravel on their top layers. However, when they do sustain hail damage, the damage often appears as impressions left by smaller hailstones, around 1-½” in diameter. EPDM roof membranes also stand up well against hail storms, particularly when hit with larger hailstones around 2-½” in diameter. However, when EPDM roofs sustain hail damage, it appears as cracks or punctures in the membranes, especially if the membranes’ lower layers are soft and malleable. Finally, TPO and PVC membranes are most vulnerable to hail damage, especially later in their lifespans, when the plastics leach out of them. These membranes sustain hail damage that appears as cracks or semicircle patterns.
Now that we know how hail damage appears on different roof types, let’s go over the process for filing a claim for hail damage repair.
How Can You Make a Hail Damage Insurance Claim?
When you need to make an insurance claim to have hail damage repaired, you should schedule a hail damage roof inspection. For instance, you can reach out to Kirberg to schedule an inspection, and we will send one of our team members to assess your roof’s damage. Our roof inspection services help you determine the extent of the hail storm damage, and we document the damage so you can submit that information to your insurance company. Once we complete the roof inspection, you should contact your insurance company to begin filing a claim. When your insurance company receives your claim, they assign it to an insurance adjuster who analyzes the paperwork and documentation of damage that you send them. They may also send their own roof inspector to assess your roof. Then the insurance adjuster either approves or rejects your claim. At Kirberg, we do everything we can to help you build a solid claim that your insurance company will approve.
When hail hits your roof, it’s going to impact the roof in some way, but signs of hail damage appear differently on different roof types. For example, slate roofs generally resist hail damage, but when they do sustain damage, it appears in the form of cracked or broken panels. Hail can also leave jagged holes in the middle of slate panels. That’s very different from hail damage on asphalt shingle roofs, which often loosens the shingles’ granules (the ceramic flecks on each shingle’s top layer).
Repair Your Roof’s Hail Damage With Kirberg Company
Kirberg Company has all the services and solutions you need to inspect and repair the hail damage on your residential or commercial roof. Reach out to us today if you’re ready to have your roof inspected and repaired. We’re the roofing company that will help you navigate the insurance claims process so you can return your roof to excellent shape.