How to Inspect Your Home or Business for Hail Damage This Season

Summertime is here in Colorado, and if you’re a homeowner, the warm weather likely comes with concerns over the health and longevity of your roof system. We’ve dealt with hail multiple times over the last couple of weeks, causing many locals to worry about the condition of their roof. If you’re one of these individuals, then it can help to get your ladder out and safely inspect your roof, which is why today’s blog post will focus on how to properly inspect for hail damage.

If you’re in need of professional roof repairs or replacements across Fort Collins and along the Front Range, Schroeder Roofing is here and ready to get to work! Our team specializes in roofing services for homes and businesses of all types, delivering personalized solutions in the most professional and affordable manner possible.

Keep reading to learn more about hail inspection, and be sure to reach out to our roofing company for complete assistance!

On the Ground

From the ground level, you should be able to do much to determine the condition for your property’s shingles. Any damage to your gutters or downspouts can be indicative of damage, so be sure to keep an eye out for dents or dings along the perimeter of your roof. Damages along the siding or fascia can also be telling, as these surfaces tend to be harder to damage than roof materials.

We recommend walking your property before climbing on the roof. Any hail damage present on your deck, railing, air conditioner, or other surfaces can be the tell-tale sign of roof damage. Not sure where to begin? Contact us today for complete assistance!

On Your Roof

Now that you have inspected the premises, it’s time to get on the roof. The quickest way to inspect for hail damage is to check the vents, covers, and other surfaces for marks. Tiny dents, scratches, and other markings will be evident if heavy hail dropped on your home or business. If you need to make sure your metal surfaces are ok, then it can help to run chalk over each piece to illuminate any lacks in smoothness. Once this is done, the vital step of checking your shingles comes next.

Hail damage on roof shingles may be more challenging than checking solid metal surfaces. Roofing contractors and inspectors are trained to keep an eye out for small, minute chips in the surface, resulting in a small gap in the granules. Any small, circular impact on your roof will likely be the result of hail, so get your chalk ready to mark damaged spots. This inspection will be helpful in determining the chances of successfully submitting an insurance claim. You can reach out to your insurance providers for guidance on the number of hail hits needed along with the size of the damaged area in question.

While minor damages may not seem like a problem, it’s important to remember how much force was delivered to cause such destruction in the first place. Your shingles may be at risk, which is why our team always recommends contacting us for proactive roof repairs across Fort Collins and beyond.

When is hail too big?

Hail comes and goes quickly here in Colorado, leading many locals to wonder when they should start worrying. While the conditions can vary, most asphalt roofs will begin to suffer from damage when hail reaches one inch in diameter, or the size of a quarter. Any stones dropping that are larger (golf ball-, tennis ball-, and baseball-sized hail) will do much more damage, making it vital for you to check your roof if you notice any large hail.

While an inch is the standard for concerning hail sizes, keep in mind that nickel- or dime-sized hail can still do damage, especially to older roof systems. After a big storm, it pays to reach out to a local roof replacement company for an inspection!

Contact Us Today

Schroeder Roofing is here to serve as your roof replacement team in Fort Collins, delivering high-quality results to homes and businesses across the Front Range. We’re confident that our team can create the best resolution for your property, and will work with you to ensure you’re satisfied with the results. If you’ve found any damage, then it’s important to take action before the problem worsens!

Hail season is here, so be sure you’re ready by contacting us online for a roofing inspection. We look forward to helping you!