
Weather can be unpredictable, and turbulent weather—especially hail—can damage shingles. Contractors should explain to homeowners how hail can affect shingles and what they should watch out for.
A manufacturer’s warranty typically will not cover damage to your roof caused by hail, however you should review the details of the warranty covering your shingles in order to determine whether any such coverage is available. Here are some answers to common questions regarding hail damage.
Is damage immediately noticeable?
Not always. Hail impact may cause latent damage that can, over time, result in premature aging of the shingles. Without obvious visual damage, there is no real way to be sure how much, if any, damage shingles have encountered. Latent damage caused by hail or severe weather may not be apparent until months or years later and may cause the shingles to age prematurely.
How can I tell if the roof was damaged?
Generally, damage can be seen as indentations and/or fractures on the shingle’s surface. Hailstones vary in size, shape, and hardness and can create a random pattern of dents or depressions. If this is not evident, look for indentations on metal flashings, siding, chimney caps, or even skylight flashings. After some time, clusters of granules may come off (at the point of impact) in a random pattern and expose the asphalt.