We all know that storms can come on suddenly and without notice. Some parts of the country deal with snow, while heavy rain and winds might adversely impact others. In the end, hail is the one constant that can impact virtually any part of the country at any moment in time. Given the high density of hail and the velocity with which it can strike any structure in its wake, the damage caused by hail can be rather extreme. A roof on any type of building is especially vulnerable and warrants special consideration. Consider the following ways that hail can wreak havoc on a roof.
Hail can be extremely heavy. At the end of the day, if you have trees anywhere near the structures on your property you could be at risk at suffering damage from falling limbs or trees. This is a double-edged sword, however, as you want trees to beautify your property. Since hail is not an everyday occurrence, you might find that worrying about tree damage is a bit premature. This is far from the case. You can have trees, but you will want to make sure they are properly trimmed in the eventuality that a hailstorm was to occur. Hail does tend to stick to trees and will often cause big branches to fall. If you have your trees trimmed, however, this should not be a worry to you.
See Also: 4 Ways We Can Help With Hail Damage To Your Roof
If you want to assess the damage to your roof after a hail storm, look up at the roof from ground level. You will find that not every indication that damage has happened is easy to notice at first glance. What you will want to do is walk around the outside of your home. As you do so, you will look for any indication that the storm has altered the structure in some way. You can do this by looking throughout your yard to see if any shingles are there. This is a surefire way to know that the hail and ensuing rain have potentially dislodged much of your roof. Assuming you have gutters, you will also want to inspect from the ground.
What you are looking for there is if there are any dents or sags. You will also want to check to see if there are any sections that are not attached to the roof any longer, as this could be an indication that severe damage has occurred. You will also want to get this repaired before another storm comes into your area. As you look over your property, also look for any tree branches that have fallen. It is also important to check for fallen debris and any damage done to your porch or deck. If you see any signs there, then the chances are high that the hail has also caused problems to your roof. You will want to get a professional out right away to check on that for you.
If you really want to make sure that your roof is free from damage after a hail storm, there really is no avoiding actually getting up on top of your building and taking a good look. It is not advisable that you do this on your own, however, as the structural integrity of the building is already in question. Hail can severely weaken a roof, so until you know for sure that there is no damage you will want to have a professional come out and take a look at it for you. Shingles are also slippery and loose right after a storm, so this is something to take into account as well.