How Big Does Hail Need to Be to Damage My Roof?

What types of damage can a storm cause to a roof? 

The roof on your business or home has a high chance of needing storm damage roof repairs in the aftermath of hailstorms, hard rains, high winds, ice, and snow. Once it is safe, you should walk around your home and look for possible storm damage roof repairs, apparent by the following signs: 

• Missing Shingles

If there are any loose shingles, those high winds that come through the Dallas, Texas area will pull them off. You may find them lying on the ground around your home, or you may simply notice you have shingles missing from the roof.

• Shingle Damages

Shingle damage isn’t always visible from the ground. So if you’re uncomfortable climbing a ladder to inspect your roof, call for a professional roof inspection to check for storm damage roof repair possibilities. Cracks, dents, or holes in the shingles are typical signs of hailstone damage and lifted, peeling, and torn shingles are indications of wind damage. 

• Shingle Granule Debris

Asphalt roofing shingles are topped with a layer of granules for an added layer of protection.  As we mentioned earlier, the daily UV rays start the damage on a roof with some granule loss. When a hailstorm or hard rain comes through the area, it can remove an excessive number of granules, weakening the protection the shingles are providing. This is noticed by an excessive number of granules in the gutters or on the ground. Or you may notice horizontal indentions in thin lines across the shingles, this is a sign of granule loss. 

• Fascia, Flashing, Gutter, and Soffit Damage

Storm damage roof repairs aren’t just discovered by inspecting the shingles. The fascia and soffit, flashing and gutters take a beating in bad weather too. The high wind can loosen the gutters and downspouts, clog the gutters with asphalt shingles and debris, loose or rip off flashing, break the seal on the shingles, and more. 

• Debris and Tree Damage

A major storm can knock tree branches off, even lift whole trees up, ending them on rooftops. The whole tree is in apparent need of storm damage roof repair, but the limbs may have hit the roof and blown away. The damage there needs to be inspected by a professional roofing contractor. 

• Crooked Chimney

High winds during a major storm can loosen or remove the flashing around the chimney, allowing water to get under the shingles and around the chimney. This can loosen the chimney. A crooked chimney isn’t always visible to the naked eye, another reason after a significant storm is, damage roof repair possibilities can be defined by a professional roofing inspector.

• Attic or Ceilings Leaks

When you have water coming through the ceiling, storm damage roof repairs are apparent, but sometimes, the leaks are small and not as obvious. A professional roofing inspector will climb into the attic to check for signs of damage like moisture penetration, small pools of standing water, mildew, and mold on the roof beams or insulation, etc. 

• Ice Dams 

The Dallas, Texas area doesn’t get a lot of snow, but when we do have it, there can be roof problems in the way of ice dams. These develop as the snow melts from any heat escaping through the attic. As the evening temperatures lower, that melted snow and ice will refreeze along the roof edges and eaves, and in the gutters. Then when it begins to melt again, that water backs up under the shingles, causing storm damage, roof repairs, or roof replacements.

What size of hail stone can leave you needing storm damage roof repairs?

The level of storm damage roof repairs will depend on the size of hailstones, for example: 

• Pea-sized hailstones: This size isn’t likely to cause damage unless it is accompanied by high, strong winds. However, over time multiple hailstorms with pea-sized hailstones can cause storm damage roof repair needs that you may not see yourself, but a professional roofing contractor will walk the roof and look for the indications that you need storm damage roof repairs. 
• Golf ball hailstones: A golf ball size hailstone can cause significant damage to the flashing, gutters, shingles, and other areas of the roof.  Even if hail damage isn’t obvious to you, a professional roofing contractor will have the experience to know what to look for. 
• Large hailstones: Any hailstone larger than a golf ball will typically cause significant storm damage roof, repairs are definitely needed, possibly a new roof. The faster these larger hailstones, the more significant the damage.

Is there anything that can be done to protect a roof from storm damage? 

Yes! Keep trees trimmed back from the roof and keep the gutters and downspout clear and repaired. Inspect your roof every month to check for loose flashing or shingles and have repairs made as you find these things.  Leaving these unaddressed could be ripped off by the next hard, high wind, leaving you needing emergency storm damage roof repairs. 

How much do storm damage roof repairs typically cost? 

This can’t be given a flat quote because it will depend on a few factors like the type of roofing material and the extent of the roof damage.  How long do storm damage roof repairs take to complete? Again, the same factors that can affect the cost will determine the time it takes to make the repairs. 

In Conclusion

When you determine you need storm damage roof repairs done, choose a local contractor with positive results from previous customers. Ask for proof of their certification, insurance, and license along with a list of recent referrals. Then take the time to check with those referrals for their feedback on the work they have done. 

Eclat Roofing provides 24/7 assistance with storm damage roof repairs in Dallas, TX. Contact us at 214-373-1500 day or night to get scheduled.