How to Prevent Hail Damage to Your Roof

Homeowners in Texas are not strangers to the effects of severe weather. Torrential rainfall, high winds and hail storms in Texas cause millions of dollars in property damage each year. While any exposed property is at risk, roof damage is the most common result of storm-related weather events. Below, we explain how you can help to prevent hail damage to your roof.

Though we expect our homes to withstand the effects of severe weather, storm damage is a fact of life. However, there are several steps you can take to safeguard your roof against hail and consequential damage and repairs.

Preventing Storm Damage to Your Roof

Lean on a Roofing Company Near You and Get Routine Roof Inspections

Though it is impossible to completely safeguard your roof against a nasty storm, leaning on professionals to safeguard your roof can drastically reduce the odds of hail damage. We recommend that homeowners have an annual roof inspection performed by a professional. Regular roof inspections can help you address minor problems now, so you can avoid major repairs and costs later.

During a comprehensive roof inspection, we can analyze your roof’s integrity and ensure no problem areas exist. We may check your flashing and other roof elements to ensure that hail has not and will not inflict extensive damage in the future. Flawed roof flashing is susceptible to penetration.

After a free roof assessment and report, we can implement any necessary repairs and preventative measures to guard it against hail damage. We do not advise anyone to get up on the roof and perform risky DIY preventative measures. Instead, reach out to us at Elevated Roofing for help.

Consider Your Roof’s Materials

Depending on storm severity, hail can rain down on roofs at speeds of 40 miles per hour. In extreme cases, hail can fall at upwards 100 miles per hour. This makes roofs highly susceptible to cracks, dents and other damage.

If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, or if you are dissatisfied with its quality or appearance, consider having your roof replaced with a new impact-resistance roof. Examples of a few durable roof materials include:

• Modified asphalt shingles. Modified asphalt shingles hold up particularly well during hail storms as they are made with a unique rubber compound.
• Slate shingles. Slate roofs can be costly, yet they can last upwards of a century. They resist water absorption and are difficult to damage in wind and hail storms.
• Concrete roofs. Concrete is quite durable against hail storms. It will likely last two decades and emerge unscathed after powerful hail rains down.

Each roof material has its pros and cons. At Elevated Roofing, we are happy to help you make an informed decision to best protect your roof for years to come. We provide residential roofing services to homeowners throughout the North Dallas and Fort Worth areas.

Keep Your Trees and Shrubs Trimmed

Property owners tend to let their trees and shrubs grow to the point that they touch the home. After all, trimming shrubs and overgrown tree limbs takes work, time and money. But, these landscaping features become problematic when they contact the roof.

You should trim trees and shrubs as soon as you notice them extending out toward your home. You want to avoid dead trees or limbs from breaking and falling onto your home. During storms, strong wind could break overhanging tree limbs, which could fall on and damage your roof.

Batten Down the Hatches

Check your doors and windows to ensure they are completely secure. If strong winds and/or a hail storm occur, these forces could blow the windows and doors right off their hinges. Reinforce your garage door’s weak points with metal stiffeners as well.

Blown-off doors, window frames and other components have the potential to inflict extensive damage to your roof. You should also take a look at your home’s siding. If any compromised points could fly off during a storm, have them repaired as soon as possible.

Seek Out Potential Problem Areas

Similar to maintaining your lawn and ensuring your windows and doors are secure, you should also seek out any potential problem areas in your home. Look for any signs of past water damage or mold or mildew in your home. These areas should be addressed before a storm, because they may be susceptible to more damage. Common areas to check include:

• Ceilings
• Walls
• Closets
• Attic
• Garage

Check Your Property After a Storm for Signs of Trouble

The impact of hailstones often damages the protective layer found on shingles, and as a result, the affected shingles will begin to deteriorate more rapidly. The granules of the shingles are loosened from the impact and usually wash down the gutters during the next rain storm. If your roof has curled, compromised or missing shingles, your roof is prone to extensive damage. When these issues go unchecked, problems may not be evident for weeks, months or even years down the road.

After bad weather, use our hail damage inspection checklist to help assess the condition of your roof.

A few items that a hail storm can damage, that may indicate damage to your roof, include:

• Gutters
• Air conditioning unit
• Garage doors
• Shutters
• Window screens
• Fences (check for splatter marks)

While assessing roof damage after a storm might be as simple as a quick perimeter check and a casual inspection from ground level, a more thorough examination will be necessary to ensure that no problem areas have been overlooked. We urge homeowners to stay safe and rely on Elevated Roofing as your trusted roofing professional to perform these detailed inspections.

Prevent Hail Damage to Your Roof. Request a Free Roof Inspection Today.

The team at Elevated Roofing provides free roof assessments with a detailed inspection photo report of any damages or issues we find. We can give you an accurate assessment of your roof’s overall condition. We are a leader in the residential roofing industry and ensure every customer receives the highest level of customer service and workmanship possible.

We provide storm and hail damage roof repair services to customers throughout the North Dallas area, including McKinney, Plano, Allen and more. Call us today at (469) 305-0010, message us online or request a free inspection here.