In the United States, hail causes over $1 billion in damage to homes and businesses annually. By design, a home or building’s roof is the first line of defense against outside elements, including wind, rain, and snow. However, most roofs remain highly susceptible to hail damage because hailstones can weigh more than a pound, exceed 4.5 inches in diameter, and fall from the sky at a velocity surpassing 100 miles per hour.
Hail consists of solid ice formed inside thunderstorms. Initially, raindrops are carried upward by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas within the atmosphere. The raindrops quickly freeze and transform into ice pellets, commonly known as hailstones. Hailstones typically drop from the sky due to the force of gravity when the thunderstorm’s updrafts can no longer support the excessive weight of the hailstones.
How significantly hail impacts a roof’s surface depends on many contributing factors. Indeed, the size, density, and rate of speed of hailstones affect the amount of damage a roof experiences. However, wind direction and speed also play a meaningful role in the outcome. Ultimately, the roofing materials used and the roof’s age and condition influence its performance. Swanson Roofing expertly restores hail-damaged roofs.
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Detecting Hail Damage To Your Roof in Illinois
Identifying hail damage to your roof requires a trained expert with the knowledge and experience to distinguish between the impact hail causes on a surface versus the effects of other forces. Just because a roof has visible damage does not mean it arose from hail. Many less discerning and unscrupulous roofing contractors will lead you astray. At Swanson Roofing, we provide an honest assessment of your roofing system.
Considerations for Identifying Hail Damage on Your Roof
- Granule Loss: On asphalt and composition shingles, granule loss occurs. Hail divots likely will exhibit a black color and be soft to the touch.
- Normal Wear And Tear: Prolonged exposure to weather elements such as the sun causes shingles to become brittle, blister, or crack but do not result from hail.
- Randomness: Hailstones almost universally impact a home’s roof in a completely random manner with no discernible pattern to the naked eye.
- Splitting: For wood shingles, splitting will happen, and impact marks or dents along the splits appear with little or no edge deterioration.
Because spotting these signs requires a trained eye, do not assume that just any roofing professional automatically knows whether hail damage occurred.
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Understanding The Hail Damage Roof Restoration Process
Immediately after a hail storm, proactively address roof issues by calling Swanson Roofing. Even if you don’t suspect hail damage, taking prudent steps ensures you protect your best interests and avoid adverse consequences from inaction.
Steps to Follow If a Hail Storm Impacts Your Home
- Contact Your Roofing Professional.
- Within 24 hours, we arrange a thorough inspection of your entire roofing system for any signs of hail damage. We carefully document anything we observe and consult with you regarding recommended next steps. If any mitigation measures need to be taken to limit further damage to your property, we proactively address any problematic areas with your roof.
- File An Insurance Claim.
- If the decision to file an insurance claim makes sense, your next step involves contacting your insurance agent to file an insurance claim. Taking this action starts the process of receiving coverage for addressing your damaged roof. Because we possess substantial knowledge and experience in this area, trust our guidance to convey accurate information.
- Meet With The Insurance Adjuster.
- Your insurance company will dispatch an insurance adjuster to assess the damage and determine the amount of coverage your insurance policy provides. This meeting is critical to moving forward with your claim. Insurance companies are not necessarily motivated to protect your best interests. Make sure we are present to meet with the insurance adjuster.
- Schedule The Repair work With Your Roofing Contractor.
- Once your claim receives approval, promptly retain us to perform the repair, restoration, or replacement work. You will receive a disbursement from your insurance company to apply toward the project. We will operate within the scope of your coverage to complete the job efficiently and timely. We also will help facilitate any final inspection approvals.
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