The first thing that comes to mind when you think about weather-related damage is probably the roof. Did you know that hail does a lot of damage to your home? It doesn’t just hit the roof—it damages everything from windows and screens to siding, gutters, and downspouts. The good news is that if you spot hail damage early enough, it’s pretty easy to repair. All it takes is an inspection of your exterior property and some basic repairs. Here are a few places you should check for hail damage and how to check your home for hail damage:
Hail Damage to Your Home
Hail damage happens to just about any part of your home. When hail strikes, it’s important to check all areas for damage. Since the roof takes a lot of abuse in severe weather, that’s where you’ll want to start your inspection. If you don’t know what to look for, here are some areas on the roof that could be affected:
- Shingles that are damaged by hail or high winds may break off completely from their nails (or staples) and fall off the house. This is especially problematic when there are multiple layers of shingles over each other because water can get trapped between them and cause mold growth.
- If tree limbs, branches and other debris are affecting your roof, there may be puncture holes through the shingles. This allows moisture into the attic space which could lead to rotting wood beams or insulation below them.
Although many parts of your home are affected by hail, the roof surface is the first thing to check. Look for dents or missing shingles, tiles, flashing, insulation and vent pipes. Some hail damage should be covered by a tarp until you have time to replace the damaged part of your roof.
Check Windows and Screens
Check your windows. Look for any cracks in the glass, as well as damage to the screen on each window. If you see any signs of hail damage here, contact a window repair company immediately. You should also inspect your window sills and frames. These are two places where hail causes significant damage to your home’s exterior if it strikes at just the right angle. Make sure that these areas are undamaged, as well as any other structural parts of your house that may have been hit by hailstones during storms .
Look at Siding, Gutters & Downspouts
You also want to look at your siding, gutters and downspouts. Check for cracks or dents in the wood and look for signs of water damage. Make sure your gutters are clear of any leaves or other debris. Sometimes during heavy storms or winds, downspouts fall or detach from your gutters. Check your downspouts regularly to make sure water is properly moving away from your home. Look closely at the edges of siding where they meet the walls, as these areas tend to be most vulnerable to leaks.
Watch out for signs of wear inside your home as well.
Start by looking for cracks in the plaster, drywall and wood. If you see any, that may be a sign of water damage. If you see signs of water damage on your ceiling or walls, it is probably because of moisture that came through the roof and seeped into the structure of your home. You may also notice mold growing in these areas as well.
Check for mold on carpeting and upholstery. If you have carpeting or upholstery that’s been exposed to excessive moisture, it will likely start smelling musty over time. This smell is often accompanied by visible mold growth too!
Identify Damages Early
Hail damage can be a pain to fix, so it’s best to identify it early. Typically, insurance doesn’t cover hail damage, and you need to pay for repairs yourself unless you have the right coverage.
Hail does significant damage to your home if you’re not careful. It’s important that you take care of any issues as soon as possible so they don’t become more serious and expensive over time.
The best thing you can do is keep an eye on your home, specifically the roof, gutters, attic and downspouts. If you see anything out of the ordinary, contact our team at Burggraf Restoration right away. If you have any questions about how to identify hail damage in your home, we are happy to help!