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What does hail damage on a roof look like?

Identifying damages after a storm.

This roof shows sever Hail damage. Not all hail damage is this obvious.



Got damage?

In Northwest Arkansas we get a lot of storms. It is not unusual to see hail during these thunderstorms, but how do you know if the hail has caused damage to your roof?


First of all you could just call your favorite Bentonville Roofing company for a free inspection. (Sorry, shameless plug.)


Below are some examples of what to look for to see if your roof is damaged.


What not to look for.

Once you are on your roof, there are lots of potential issues you might encounter. Separating out hail damage from regular wear and tear is an important first step. As shingles age, they start to naturally lose the grit on their surface. This grit protects the asphalt of the shingle from UV damage. Hail damage also shows up as missing granules on the shingles. The key difference is that hail damage is concentrated and distinct from other areas of the roof. Wide bands of missing granules, or a consistent pattern of exposed asphalt is typical of an aging roof, not a damaged one. The photo below highlights some signs of aging.


Check metal flashings first. 

When inspecting a roof, NWA roofing companies often start by looking at the “soft metals” before moving on the shingles. Items like roof flashings, gutters, and vents can be damaged by hail. It is easier to see dents in metal items than to judge damage on shingles. If you don’t find any damage to the metals, you are unlikely to have damaged shingles. You can use sidewalk chalk to highlight the dents. Lay the chalk on its side and drag it across the surface, the chalk will not mark inside the dents, allowing them to be seen easily.


Look for “hits”

Hail damages show up as small black areas of exposed asphalt. They should be spread out sporadically around the roof. Most insurance companies need to see 8-10 hail hits in a 10 foot square in order to total a roof in NWA. So if you only see one or two hits, it's likely not enough to damage for you to file an insurance claim. Below are several examples of hail hits we have seen on roof repairs in Northwest Arkansas.


Next steps


If you think you might have a storm-damaged roof, it is time to call in the professionals. The next call is with your insurance agent or your local NWA roofer. We have an article on our site listing some of the best roofers in Northwest Arkansas. In our opinion, it doesn’t matter whether you call your insurance company or roofing company first. You really should have both parties inspect your roof to get a fully informed picture. IF you do have a damage claim, the insurer and roofer will work together to determine all of the damaged items and their associated costs. 


We know that it can be a difficult task to keep up with all of the maintenance around your home, and storm damages just make that worse. IF you need anything, feel free to contact us. We are a local
Northwest Arkansas roofing company here to help.

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