Texas Summer Hail Storms: What to do With Roof Damage?

Hail storms are an inevitable hallmark of summer in Texas. And they don’t seem to be letting up. Within the past two years, Texas has ranked first in the country for having the most hail damage. In fact, in the first half of 2016 alone, 602 reports of hail in Texas have been made to the National Weather Service, an amount that has nearly surpassed

the 783 reports from all of 2015, according to My San Antonio. Nevertheless, it’s important to know what to do when hail storms damage your home — particularly your roof.

Most homes in this country have asphalt shingle roofs. On this type of residential roof, you can spot hail damage by its tell-tale dark spots. They look almost like a bruise, showing up wherever roofing granules have been knocked away. But there are many other signs of damage to be on the lookout for, from holes and cracks to dents and even missing shingles. You may even notice split seams and torn shingles, resulting in leaks and serious water damage. If not addressed, this can lead to mold and wood rot, which can manifest itself in structural damage to your roof. Total failure can result, so it’s important to get hail damage fixed as soon as possible.

It’s not just the hail that causes all the damage –many times hail storms are accompanied by high winds, which can knock tree limbs or other debris onto your roof. This can result in cracks, punctures or worse.

Keep an eye out for these signs of damage:

• Missing shingles
• Bruises or dented shingles
• Cracked or broken tile, slate or concrete shingles
• Granules clumping in your gutters or downspouts
• Leaks in the roof or ceiling
• Dents on vents, gutters and flashing

After a Storm

How you handle possible hail damage is everything. If you don’t act quickly, this may compromise your ability to get compensation from your insurance company. Document all damage with photos and your own notes. Put everything in writing and date it.

That said, if you don’t already have a roofing contractor you can trust, don’t rush this process. It’s imperative you choose a contractor that won’t prey on your emotions, as this can be a very stressful time. With your roof being worth between 10% and 15% of your home’s value, protecting 90% of your assets, you understandably know how important getting your roof repaired can be.

After a storm rolls through the area, you may get a lot of contractors knocking on your door enticing you with limited time offers, “free” inspections, and freebies. Those may all sound good, but it’s important to research the company before choosing them for your roof repair. You want to look for a qualified local contractor who has extensive experience not only in roofing but in storm damage repairs.

Get three bids by three different contractors and go with the one that offers the best service, not necessarily the lowest price.

Contact Ferris Roofing

With locations in Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth and Austin, Ferris Roofing is your top choice for full-service roofing for commercial and residential needs. If you have suffered hail storm damage to your roof, please contact us toll free at 888-939-7663 or fill out our online estimate form.