Hail can cause a significant amount of damage. In some climates, it could be considered one of the most dangerous weather events when it comes to your roof. The problem is you do not often know the extent of the damage without a close inspection. When hail hits your car, you can see any dents. The unseen damage on your roof could lead to big problems if it’s not taken care of as soon as possible.

Types of Damage

Hail can come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s as small as a pebble, and sometimes as big as a tennis ball. As the hail beats against the asphalt shingles of your roof, it can wear down the granules that make up the surface of the shingles. As those granules break off, your roof becomes vulnerable to damage. Also single large chunks of hail can cause holes and dents in your roof from a single impact. When your shingles get damaged, water can start seeping into the roofing system, at which point you could have a big problem.

Identifying Damage

There are a few signs of a damaged roof that you can look for. For instance, you may be able to spot larger dents or bare spots on shingles. You may also notice granules in your downspouts and gutters, which means they’ve detached from the shingles. If you get up close, you may notice that some shingles have soft spots. Also, if you notice any vents or skylights have damage, then there’s a good chance your shingles are damaged as well.

Should I Replace My Roof?

Mostly, the threat from hail isn’t immediate, but the damage caused by hail can drastically shorten the lifetime of your roof. After every hail storm, do an inspection of your roof, looking for the signs mentioned above. If you find something, or if you’re not sure, then it’s probably best to contact a professional to give your roof an inspection. The worst thing to do is to leave your roof and assume everything is fine. By letting a minor problem go, you may end up with a much larger problem later on down the road.