As homeowners, you expect a lot from your roof. It’s the first line of defense against Mother Nature, providing a barrier between all her elements and the rest of the home. That’s why maintaining your roof’s good health with regular checkups is so critical. In fact, it’s particularly important to have an inspection done immediately after every storm with hail and wind. Why? Because these events damage roofs in ways that only trained roofing replacement and repair professionals can detect. Let’s take a look at the effects of hail and wind on a roof.

The Effects of Hail on a Roof

Hailstones, or ice pellets, come in many sizes, from baseball and ping-pong ball to quarter, marble and pea. These frozen lumps of water form during severe thunderstorms, and they pose serious threats for anything in their path – property, people and even pets.
No matter the size, however, hailstones have harmful effects because of their direct impact on the roof’s shingles. While some damage is easy to spot like large holes and dented gutters, other types are not and can only be determined by a qualified roofing and insurance restoration company. These include:

  • Surface bruising. Dents, dark spots or pits on the shingles’ surface are results of hail impact. These impact areas are difficult to see, and it’s just a matter of time before they dry up, crack and become holes, leading to future problems such as leaks.
  • Granule loosening. Shingles have a coating of granules to protect against harmful UV rays of the sun while helping to maintain their waterproof capability. When hail strikes the shingle surface, it knocks off the granules where they end up in gutters and downspouts.

Shingles are designed to be waterproof. Yet, once they’re pelted with hail of any size, their integrity is compromised. And, even though they look ok from the ground up because they’re still in place, they’re no longer considered to be waterproof.

The Effects of Wind on a Roof

Similar to hail, wind at any velocity – not just hurricane or tornado force – can ruin a roof. A telltale sign of damage is patches of missing shingles. But there’re other wind-related issues that can’t be seen from ground level and can only be identified by experienced roofing specialists. These include:

  • Seal breakage. To ensure adhesion, a sealing strip is used when the shingle is fastened to the roof with nails. However, strong gusts can break this seal. Once broken, it no longer adheres with the same strength and is made worse when dirt and dust particles stick to it. During a storm, rain easily washes up underneath the shingles.
  • Fastening failure. Once the seal is gone, the shingle hangs on by its fasteners or nails, and every time the wind blows, the shingle is lifted up. This uplifting causes many problems, especially when this motion is repeated over and over, including the shingle being pulled through the nails and falling off.

Shingles are designed to resist typical wind loads. It’s not until an extreme weather event occurs that their integrity starts to break down. What’s deceptive is looking upward on a calm day, seeing them flat against the roof and assuming they’re ok.

Build a Trusted Partnership with Roofing Replacement and Repair Experts

Severe weather with hail and wind can happen year round. Unfortunately, no roof – old or new – is exempt from its effects. A big mistake homeowners make is to assume that if there’s no visible damage, then there’s none. The truth is that neglected damage, even the slightest, can have negative consequences.

Much like going to a doctor for routine checkups or taking the car to the mechanic for oil changes, scheduling regular inspections with certified roofing specialists are a must for preventing major headaches down the line. Qualified professionals at Ashco Exteriors are ready to build an ongoing relationship with homeowners like you. Count on us to:

  • Understand your roof inside and out with a comprehensive evaluation
  • Keep detailed records of your roof’s health
  • Spot and troubleshoot issues in the early stages
  • Offer expert advice to help you make informed decisions

Get started today – schedule your free 7-point inspection!