What Kind of Hail Can Cause Serious Roof Damage?

A hailstorm can accelerate the deterioration of your roofing system by leaving behind impact damage in the form of punctures and cracks. These allow water to infiltrate your roof’s underlayment and decking, compromising not just the system but also your home’s interior. But because hailstones vary in size, one might think that a specific type of hail can inflict serious roof damage.

Deschutes Roofing & Insulation, the leading contractor for your roof ventilation and snow removal needs, discuss further.

Hail of Any Size Can Be Damaging to Surfaces

Roof damage can still occur regardless of hail size. Additional factors include the speed at which the hailstone makes contact with the roof surface and the actual age and overall condition of the roofing system. Here’s what you can expect in terms of roof damage caused by hailstones of specific sizes:

• Dime-Sized Hail – While not always harmful, the impact of dime-sized hailstones is enough to expedite the wear and tear on asphalt shingles, particularly ones that have been already damaged or are showing signs of aging.
• Quarter-Sized Hail – Hailstones of this size hitting your asphalt shingle roof can speed up the erosion of the roof surface. Even when your roof is well-maintained, expect some “bald” patches due to granule loss.
• Half-Dollar-Sized Hail – They are large enough to damage newly installed asphalt shingles and break clay tile and slate roofs. Metal roofs, which are known to be impervious to impact damage, can suffer dents when pelted with hailstones the size of a half-dollar. Get in touch with a GAF roofer as soon as possible if you detect significant hail damage on your roofing system.

How We Can Help You with Hail Damage

Deschutes Roofing & Insulation offers full roof inspections. Our team of professional roofers will assess the condition of your roof and provide a written report detailing the extent of the damage and recommendations for the best course of action. We’ll also guide you with your homeowner’s insurance claim. We know the process inside and out, from submitting the claim to processing the final payment, and everything in between.

Count on us for your snow dam removal and gutter replacement needs as well. Call (541) 241-5720 (Bend) or (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego). You may also fill out our contact form to request an estimate.