Roof Hail Damage - 4 Tips for Minneapolis Homeowners

The storm has come and gone. Did your home suffer any roof hail damage in Minneapolis? Hail storms are capable of producing hailstones up to 6" in diameter. These balls of ice fall from the sky with no regard to your roof. The larger a hailstone is, the faster it will fall, potentially causing more damage to your Minneapolis home.

Many factors play into how much damage a hail stone may cause. Size of the hail, wind speed and direction are only a few pieces of the puzzle. The age of your roof's shingles, the type of shingles and if your shingles are "impact-resistant" can all factor in to the severity of your roof hail damage.

Damage to your roof's shingles can compromise the effective life of your roof and even if not immediately visible, may lead to large scale problems if not identified in a timely manner. Here are a few tips which will help you properly identify roof hail damage. It would also be wise to call your Minneapolis roofing contractor who can better assess the damage.

Tip #1: Is there any visible damage on the inside of your home? If you see water stains or slow drips on the inside of your home, then you have a problem which requires immediate attention. A new water stain on your ceiling is most definitely a sign that your roof was compromised. If left untreated, the problem will worsen leading to further damage which may require a complete tear-off of your existing roof, not to mention repairs to the interior of your home.
Tip #2: Are there any visible dents (blisters) on your roof's shingles? Just because you don't see any damage to the inside of your home does not mean your roof was not damaged. When there is no visible damage to the inside of your home, it may provide a false sense of security. By neglecting exterior damage, you run the risk of damage to your home in the months to come. Even worse is if you don't file an insurance claim within the time guidelines stipulated in your homeowner's insurance policy, you may lose benefits that you are entitled to now. Identifying shingle blisters requires a visible inspection of your roof. Sometimes blisters may be hard to see. It can be helpful to look for small dings on metal or aluminum vents, downspouts or gutters. It is typically easier to identify these marks than blisters on your shingles. If you believe you have visible evidence of damage, it is suggested that you contact your insurance agent immediately to express your concerns and to find out what your policy covers and the procedures necessary to file an insurance claim.
Tip #3: Get your own independent professional opinion. There's no denying when a hail storm has blown through town. The National Weather Service records all storm data. If there is knowledge of a storm, and you contact your insurance company, they will most likely dispatch an adjuster. That adjuster represents your insurance company. His job is to identify damage, assess the cost to repair or replace your roof and make sure all of the paperwork is in order to process a claim.
It is suggested that you contact a roofing company that is trained in roof hail damage restoration in Minneapolis for an independent opinion prior to your insurance adjuster performing their inspection. Your roofing company is capable of representing your interests. They should be willing to provide you an inspection and estimate to repair any damages free of charge. More importantly, they should be willing to back up their estimate and make themselves available for mutual consultation with the insurance adjuster. If the adjuster and roofer can agree on the remedy for the damage and the cost, this can expedite the process. In most cases your roofer will be awarded the repair job.
Tip #4: Get It In Writing. Most insurance companies will only issue a check directly to the roofer. This protects the insurance company from the homeowner "pocketing" the proceeds and never repairing the damage. By getting your roofing contractor to agree to the type of repairs to be performed and the costs involved, this will insure that your roof gets the required repairs. If your roofer agrees that the insurance check is sufficient to repair your roof hail damage, then they should be willing to do the repairs for that cost, nothing more. Roof replacement or repair due to hail damage can be one of the most expensive repairs for homeowners and insurance companies. Making sure that you properly identify roof hail damage in a timely basis, and following the proper procedures will help protect your family's most important asset, your home.

In summary home owners who think they may have suffered storm damage should:

Look for visible water damage inside your home.
Look for damage to your roof's shingles that may compromise the effective life of your roof.
If necessary, contact your insurance agent and file a claim.
Consult a local roofing contractor trained in Roof Hail Damage to represent your interests.

Reach Out To Our Minneapolis Roofing Contractor Or Home Remodeler Today For An Estimate!