Many homeowners recognize the need for a new roof when they see spots on the ceiling or leaks, but there are other critical signs. Warning signs include shingle granules in the gutters, signs of water leakage or damage on the ceiling, light shining through the roof (inside your attic), shingles curling or cracking, dark or saggy spots on the roof, missing shingles, or age.
It is essential to know the different effects that hail damage has on different types of roofs. For example, hail damage to asphalt and composition shingles looks very different from hail damage on wood shingles. Detection of hail damage on flat roofs might even require a core cut to be made and sent to an independent lab for testing.
The following are factors to consider when determining if your roof has hail damage:
Asphalt & Composition Shingles
- Hail impact marks or “hits” that are black; older hail hits will show as gray – no longer black
- Loss of granules, which may expose the roof felt; you may notice these granules on the ground near your downspouts
- Random damage to the asphalt shingle with no pattern
- Hail damage hits that are soft to the touch, like a bruise on an apple
Wood Shingles
- A split in the shingle that is brown/orange in color exposing freshly cut wood
- A break in the shingle that has little to no deterioration at the edges
- Impact marks or dents along the splits
- Random damage with no pattern
Flat Roof Systems
Detection in a flat roof system is often harder to identify unless there is a noticeable tear – usually in a circular or semi-circle shape. Thorough evaluation requires cutting into the roof and inspecting a core sample.
If there is damage to your landscaping, siding, gutters, windows, screens, or exterior appliances, there is also likely damage to your roof.
Contact the hail damage and roof replacement experts at Metro City Roofing for your free roof inspection.
