An Overview of the Hail Damage Roof Repair Process

Hailstorms can wreak havoc on your home — especially the roof of your home. That’s why dealing with the aftermath of hailstorms as soon as possible is critical to preventing further damage and costly repairs. 

Dealing with hail damage repairs can be overwhelming, which is why we’re going to give you an overview of the hail damage roof repair process to put your mind at ease.

Here’s what you need to know:

Hail Damage 101

The first thing you need to understand about hail damage is that hailstones can range in size. Think of them in comparison to:

• Small pebbles 🪨
• Quarters 🪙
• Ping pong balls 🏓
• Tennis balls 🎾
• Baseballs ⚾
• Grapefruits 🍊

What’s more, hailstones aren’t perfectly round balls. As they form, they tend to crystalize, causing jagged edges. Once they collide with your home, depending on wind speed and directionality, you can expect various types of damages including:

• Cracked, split, or dislodged shingles
• Holes or punctures, which lead to leaks
• Cracked, dented, or detached gutters
• Damaged flashing, vents, and chimneys

When left neglected, hail damage can greatly compromise the integrity of your roofing system, resulting in moisture infiltration. Once this happens, you’re looking at leaks, rotting wood, mold growth, and much more. If the structure of your home ends up damaged as a result of neglected hail roof damage, the repairs needed will be extensive and costly.

The Hail Damage Repair Process

Just like with any other roof damage repair process, hail damage requires a systematic approach to ensure the best possible outcome — with both the restoration and your homeowners insurance claim.

Here’s what the hail damage repair process looks like:

• Damage assessment and control. The first thing that needs to happen post-hail storm is an overall roof assessment. You’ll want to get in touch with your trusted local roofer and have them come out right away to inspect the roof. In the meantime, you’ll want to take a walk around your property and inspect your roof from the ground up for visible signs of hail damage. You’ll also want to check your ceilings, walls, and attic space for interior signs of damage. (Note: We don’t recommend climbing up on your roof at any time, especially after a hail storm, as it can be very dangerous. Leave this part up to the experienced roofing professionals!).
• Document everything. As you inspect your roofing system, be sure to take clear photos and videos of significant damage with notes detailing the damage. Don’t worry about missing anything, your roofer will be documenting the damage throughout the entire inspection and provide you with a detailed report of their findings. If you have recent photos of your roof before the hailstorm occurred, it’s a good idea to dig those up to prove that there wasn’t any pre-storm damage to back up your insurance claim.
• File an insurance claim. With the proper documentation in hand, you’ll want to contact your homeowners insurance company to report the damage and initiate the claims process. Be sure to fill out the claims form completely and with great detail, using your roofer’s report and any photos or videos you have. Follow the insurance company’s instructions on what to do next, and have your roofer come to your home to meet with the insurance claims adjuster to ensure they don’t make any mistakes.
• Schedule repairs. Once the adjuster approves your claim, it’s time to schedule your roof repair or replacement. The roofer that came to inspect your post-storm damage will have also given you an estimate for the work, so all you’ll need to do is call them and schedule an official roof repair service. Keep in mind that your insurance policy may not cover the full amount of the roof replacement or repairs needed. If this is the case, you’ll want to inquire about special financing plans, as many professional roofing companies offer them to help homeowners to afford their services.

How Long Do Roof Repairs Take?

The duration of the repair process will depend on the extent of the damage to your roof. Minor repairs, such as replacing a few broken shingles or cracked gutters, should only take a few hours. 

More extensive damage or collective damage can take days. If you require a complete roof replacement, the work can take up to two weeks. Both repair and replacement times depend on:

• The complexity and accessibility of your roof
• The weather conditions
• Material availability
• The extent of the damage

Your roofing contractor will provide you with a project timeline and walk you through the process so you can make the proper arrangements for your family while the repairs are underway.

Your Hail Damage Repair Partner

When you live in an area where hailstorms are frequent, you’ll want to have the number of a roofing company you can trust on hand. ARCH Exteriors is the roofing company you can rely on for storm damage and more. Call us today for a free roof inspection, and keep our number on speed dial for storm emergencies.