How to spot hail damage on your roof
1. Set up a ladder to examine the roof top
2. Check metal flashings and metal vents first looking for obvious dents or marks caused by hail
3. Check shingles and/or roofing membranes for the following signs of hail:
- Granule loss
- cracks in the shingles
- exposed or fractured fiberglass mat
- dimples or tears in the roofing membrane (TPO, EPDM, PVC)
4. Check for Membrane Damage (Flat Roofs)
Flat roof materials like TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin), EPDM (Rubber), and Modified Bitumen react differently to impacts than asphalt roofs
- TPO and PVC: Look for "hail hits" that expose the reinforcing scrim (fabric) beneath the outer layer. Severe impacts can cause circular cracks
- EPDM: Hail can cause splitting of the rubber or weakened seams
- Modified Bitumen: Look for granules that have been dislodged
Does hail have to be large to cause damage to a roof?
Hail as small as 3/4 of an inch can cause damage under high winds. As the winds get heavier, more damage will occur. When hail gets above 2 inches, extensive damages will occur to the roof and other property.
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