Top 5 Myths Surrounding Hail Damaged Roofs
The number one thing that beats up a roof over the course of it’s life is hail. In fact, hail damage can be one of the single largest insurance claims you’ll have to make for your house. According to Apex Roofing hail accounts for more than $1.6 billion in roof damage every year. It may be challenging to determine if your home has suffered hail damage or not, and many just assume their roof is fine. But assuming your roof is good to go is just one of the myths we’ll be exploring in myths & facts about hail damaged roofs.
Myth #1: I had an inspector check out my roof and they didn’t see anything, so my roof must be fine.
Fact: Not all inspectors are trained in the techniques needed to understand each and every roofing system. It’s best to have your roof inspected by a person who has been trained in your roofing system, and they will be able to tell if your roof has been damaged or not. The insurance companies send their folks through special training so they can understand the roofing systems and how to best determine if a roof is damaged from hail or not. If they’re doing that, shouldn’t you do the same?
Myth #2: My gutters are dented so I must have roof damage too.
Fact: It’s understandable when a homeowner sees dents in their gutters, rooftop vents, or siding and assume their roof is damaged. Yet the sweet and simple answer is your roofing shingles are more resistant to hail then some of the other components on your home. A roofing shingle is designed to get beat-up by the weather, and the thicker the shingle the more impact from the weather it can absorb without getting too damaged. The best thing to do is have the roof professionally inspected.
Myth #3: My roof has minimal damage and I think it might be too much hassle to file a claim.
Fact: If hail has damaged your roof even to a small degree you have a right to file a claim with your insurance company. Most people assume that since there is no visible damage now that there is nothing to worry about, but the truth is most visible damage, like a leaky roof, won’t be noticeable for years. Meanwhile, the damage done to your roof to get that leaky roof was caused by the hail today. When in doubt file a claim and get your roof checked out.
Myth #4: I have a newer roof it’s probably just fine, and besides it’s still under warranty.
Fact: It doesn’t matter how new your roof is, it can still be damaged from a hail storm. In fact, most new roofs are damaged more severely because they haven’t had time to settle or cure. Plus the thought that the roof is under warranty won’t help you, because many warranties specifically exclude hail damage.
Myth #5: My neighbor’s roof is getting replaced because of hail damage, so my roof must be damaged too.
Fact: This can be a costly assumption that unfortunately, many homeowners make. It can be easy to assume you have damage if your neighbor is getting a new roof, and you have the contractor knocking on your door saying, “I found some damage on your roof.” But you have to remember there are many variables at work when comparing your roof to your neighbors. For one, your neighbor’s roof might have thinner shingles and be more susceptible to damage. There’s also the chance that your house just didn’t get hit by hail of the same size and your roof is just fine. Instead, get your roof inspected by a professional instead of assuming you need to break open the biggie bank and fork over a few thousand in repairs.