Hail Can Cause Permanent Damage to Your Roof

Over the years, a lot of customers have asked, "How does hail damage my roof?"

You see, people are often puzzled when they look at a freshly damaged roof after a hail storm. They expect to see something like this, but more often they see something like this. Now, why would an insurance company want to replace the roof that pretty much looks like it did before the storm?

How Does Hail Damage Your Roof?

First of all, most hail storms don't damage roofs — but occasionally, hail can become the size of a quarter or larger and will make small dents and divots in asphalt shingles. Those dents look pretty harmless, but as you'll see in our simulation, over time they can wreak havoc on your roof.

The problem is with that sandy material on top of your asphalt shingles. You may have thought that those ceramic granules were there to give the roof an attractive color or to keep people from sliding off the roof. And while the granules do provide those benefits, the real reason for using this material is to protect the asphalt from the sun's UV rays.

So when a large piece of hail hits your roof and knocks off some of those particles and loosens others, at first, you'll barely notice the difference. But add some wind and rain, and it looks like this.

Wait, let's add some more. And maybe some snow. Okay, that's more like it.

So, over time, that loose material gets washed away — exposing the asphalt. Now, if we add some hot sun, this causes the asphalt to dry up and crack — allowing water to leak in. Not good.

So now you know how hail damages a roof. You've also learned what that sandy material on your roof is really for.

Contact our office with any questions or if you need professional assistance with a hail-related insurance claim. 

The material and information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. You should speak with an experienced attorney in your area before making any legal decisions.