Hail damages asphalt shingle roofing by making dents in it from the impact. Small hail may not harm the roof at all, but large hail can crack shingles and make puncture holes when it strikes. The amount of damage depends on the age and condition of your roof. An older roof may not tolerate hail as well as a fairly new one. Here's how hail can damage asphalt shingles and the hail damage services you might need for your roof.

Damage To The Roof Might Be Immediate Or Delayed

Damage to asphalt shingles happens right away. You'll see signs of impacts on the roof in the form of dents, cracks, and loose shingles. The underlayment might be punctured too, but you won't see that until the shingles are taken off.

Delayed damage can happen to the deck. If roof repairs aren't made quickly, rain can leak through the shingles and underlayment and get the deck wet. When the deck has enough moisture damage, it starts leaking. This may not happen soon after the hail damage, so you might forget and not link the two events together.

Hail Damage Services That Could Be Needed

Your roofer will probably replace the damaged shingles. When the roofer pulls out the old shingles, they can check the underlayment and cut it out if it's punctured. If the underlayment is cut away, the roofer can see the deck underneath it. This allows the roofer to check the deck for dents and other damage from the hail.

One reason to have repairs done on damaged shingles early is that the deck has to be cut out and replaced when it has water damage. As long as the deck is okay, new underlayment can be put down and then a new shingle added. This roof repair process may need to be repeated many times to get your roof back in good shape after a hailstorm.

The roof hail damage repair service might also check the flashing around your roof. Since it's made of metal, it may not have damage from hail, but it's still good to check it and replace flashing that has deep dents or scratches because it might rust and start leaking later when you don't expect it.

The Roofer Works With Your Insurance Agent

The good news is your insurance company should help pay for roof repairs. If repairs are extensive, your homeowner's insurance policy might want to pay for a new roof instead. In either case, your roof repair contractor will work with your insurance agent to get repairs done in a way that your insurance approves.

To learn more, contact a roof hail damage service in your area.