When a hail or wind storm hits your neighborhood, it can cause a considerable amount of unwanted damage to your home. Your roof, gutters, skylights, windows, siding, screens, and paint are the first line of defense for your home since they’re all directly exposed to the elements. Because we live on the Colorado front range, and the weather here can be a bit extreme from time to time, there’s a good chance that at some point, you’ll have some unwanted damage that will occur as a homeowner.

Different types of roof damage can occur after a hail storm.

After a hail storm, it’s essential to check your home and roof for damage. Several different types of roof damage can occur during a hail storm, and it’s important to know what to look for to determine if your roof requires any repairs or replacement.

Some common signs of hail damage to a roof include:

• Bruises or dents on the shingles: If you’re concerned about hail damage to your roof, you can check for bruises or dents on the shingles. You should look for dark spots on the shingles, which is an indication that they’ve been hit by hail. You can also look for dents in the metal edging of the roof or any other metal fixtures. If you find any bruises or dents, you should call a roofing company to assess the damage and determine if your roof needs to be replaced.
• Cracked or broken shingles: There are a few things you can look for to help determine if your roof shingles are cracked or broken. One of the most obvious signs is if you see any missing or damaged shingles. If you notice that some of the shingles on your roof are missing, likely, there are also some cracked or damaged ones hiding underneath. You can also check for cracked or broken shingles by looking at the roof from below. If you see any large cracks, missing pieces, or other damage, then there’s a good chance that your roof shingles are cracked or broken.
• Torn or ripped roofing material: When inspecting your roof for damage, be on the lookout for any signs of torn or ripped roofing material. This type of damage can be caused by hail or high winds and lead to water infiltration and other issues. If you do spot any tears or rips in your roofing material, make sure to have them repaired as soon as possible. Left untreated, this type of damage can lead to much bigger problems down the road!
• Inspect the eaves and gables for damage: Eaves are the overhang on the edge of your roof, and gables are the triangular section where the two slopes of your roof meet. The eaves and gables of your roof can be susceptible to hail damage. It’s crucial to inspect these areas for any damage after a hail storm. Look for dents, cracks, or other damage. If you notice any damage, it is vital to have it repaired right away.
• Warped roof decking: If you’re concerned that hail damage may have affected your roof decking, there are a few things you can do to check. One of the easiest ways is to look at the roof from below. If you see any warping or sagging, that’s a good indication that the decking has been damaged.

 

Your roof isn’t the only thing that can be damaged by hail.

You’ll also want to check for the following after a storm:

• Peeled or missing vinyl siding: If you have vinyl siding on your home, it is essential to check for damage after a hail storm, as a storm can cause it to peel or come off the house. If you notice any damage, be sure to repair it as soon as possible. Damaged vinyl siding can lead to water intrusion, which can cause further damage to your home. If you’re not sure whether or not your vinyl siding has been damaged, there are a few things you can look for. One of the most apparent signs of hail damage is missing pieces of vinyl siding. You may also see dents or craters in the vinyl siding, or the vinyl may be peeled away from the house. If you suspect that your vinyl siding has been damaged, be sure to call a professional to inspect it. They will be able to tell you if the damage is severe enough to warrant repair or replacement.
• Windows and doors: As you walk around, check your windows and doors for any obvious damage. Broken glass is an easy giveaway that repairs will need to be made. But there can also be hail damage done to the frames and structure around any openings. Make sure all windows and doors open and close easily, and don’t have noticeable new drafts flowing through them. Also, look at the cladding around the window and door frames. Some custom windows can easily be dented from hail and inclement weather. This type of denting damage can significantly affect the value of your home because windows are expensive. You can get an idea if there were high enough winds to do any damage from the collateral organic materials that can stick to the side of the house. This can be a sign of extreme hail damage.
• Damage to your siding or paint: During a storm there can be damage to the exterior paint. Especially when there’s a sizable hail storm. Hail can cause a shocking amount of damage to even the best of paint jobs! If you don’t repair the hail damage, it can lead to siding and water damage in the future. Hail damage isn’t just unsightly; it can also lead to further problems with your home down the road. Really pay attention to possible damage to paint after a storm.
• Skylights: Hail storms and/or high winds can damage skylights. It’s not uncommon for hail to either crack a skylight or break the seal around the frame, which can cause leaks. So after a storm, take a moment to look at them to make sure there’s no damage or leaking taking place as best you can. If you discover dripping or water residue on the inside of the house, we can come out and do an emergency repair to keep any further water damage from getting worse. It’s not uncommon to need to have your skylights replaced after a significant storm, especially if the roof sustained enough damage to warrant replacement.
• Home interior: Examine the exterior walls for water damage, cracks, or leaks. A crack in the exterior wall could lead to water penetrating between your siding and interior walls. Fluids can run quite a distance when there’s a leak. Document any damage you find by taking pictures. This information could be helpful for insurance purposes if you have to file a claim or identify the location of damage that might not be as obvious after the storm.

 

Even if your roof seems to be in good condition, it’s good to have it inspected by a professional to ensure there is no underlying damage. If you do find hail damage, take steps to repair it as soon as possible, as hail can lead to water damage and other problems down the road.

Be sure to stay safe while inspecting your roof for hail damage — always use a ladder and be careful when walking on the roof. And if you’re not comfortable inspecting your roof, contact a professional to do it for you.

What to do after a hail storm to protect your home.

You don’t want to wait until you start experiencing leaks in your home to find out you have damage. If a recent hail or wind storm passes through your neighborhood, here are the steps we recommend taking to be safe:

• Have a roof inspection right after a hail storm. If there’s any damage, it will be easier to spot and repair. You can climb up on the roof yourself using the list above to check for damage, but keep in mind that you may not see everything if you aren’t trained in what to look for.
• If there is any damage, call a roofing company right away. Don’t wait until the damage gets worse. We offer free inspections and estimates, so it doesn’t cost you anything to have your home and roof inspection done right!
• Make sure you know your insurance policy’s coverage for roof repairs or replacements. If this is overwhelming for you, don’t worry. Our project managers will work directly with your insurance company to make sure you know exactly what’s covered and the best direction to go if there’s damage to your roof.
• Ask the roofing company about their warranty and what’s covered. Each manufacturer has its own warranty for each material that you choose to use on your roof, and some are better than others. All the materials that we recommend offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and we give a full 5-year workmanship warranty on the installation.
• Follow the contractor’s instructions for repair or replacement, and ensure everything is done correctly. Don’t try to repair your roof yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing, and definitely don’t try to replace it!

With so many roofing companies out there, it’s essential to know that when a storm creates damage to your home, hordes of “storm chasers” will come in from out of state and start knocking on doors, promising you the moon to get you to sign a contract.

The issue is that companies from out of town are here to slap on a roof and then head home once the storm rush is over. And if you have issues with it, they’re gone with no real warranty or recourse because they are not relying on a good reputation or reviews. They’re in and out. And it can be hard to figure out who to trust because they have a slick sales force. They know what to do to get you to sign a contract before you know it, locking you in with them.

Hint: if something sounds too good to be true, or the price is much less than other bids, it’s too good. It’s a bait and switch. Be careful.

How to proactively prevent roof damage from hail storms.

If you know a big storm is imminent or live in an area prone to hail, high sustained winds, extreme rain, ice, and snow… be proactive. Hail storms can cause a lot of damage to your roof, but there are some things you can do to help protect your home from hail damage.

One of the best ways to protect your roof from hail damage is to install a hail guard.

Installing a hail guard on your roof is vital in protecting your home from hail damage. A hail guard is a metal or plastic shield installed over the roof to prevent hail from hitting and causing damage.

The process of installing a hail guard is relatively simple. The hail guard is installed over the roof and secured in place with screws or nails. The hail guard can be installed on most types of roofs, including asphalt shingles, metal roofs, and tiles.

Another way to protect your roof from hail damage is to keep the trees around your home trimmed.

Branches can easily fall onto the roof or siding during a storm, causing extensive damage. It’s crucial to trim trees regularly, especially in the spring and summer when storms are more common. If you’re not sure how to trim trees properly, consult a professional arborist. They can help you identify which branches need to be trimmed and how to do it safely.

It’s also important to keep the gutters on your home clean and free of debris.

When leaves, sticks, and other debris build up in your gutters, it can cause them to overflow and leak onto your roof. This can lead to hail damage or roof leaks, which can cause extensive damage to your home.

The best way to clean your gutters is by using a gutter scoop or a garden hose with a spray nozzle. You should also check your gutters for any damage regularly and repair any leaks immediately. By keeping your gutters clean and free of debris, you can protect your roof from hail damage leaks, and other types of roofing issues.

Understand the process of replacing your roof after hail damage.

We know that getting a new roof is a big project with several big decisions to be made.

But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Anything that involves insurance claims can be confusing and intimidating, but the professionals at Denny’s Roofing are here to help.

Our knowledgeable staff will work closely with your insurance company and municipal building department to get all the details worked out. Then, we install your roof using high-quality materials that are guaranteed to last. In fact, all our shingled roofs come with a lifetime workmanship warranty. What do you do? You pick out the type of shingles you want, and we’ll handle it from there!

Check out our proven process that takes you from the initial free inspection all the way through the build-out to the final inspection of your new roof.

• First contact: You have your personal project manager schedule a free roof inspection, and less than 24 hours after your call, we’ll get up on your roof for an inspection.
• Confirmation of damage: We sit down with pictures and discuss the damage and the process of how to move forward (if it warrants a roof replacement or repair). We’ll decide if we need to contact your insurance company to open a claim. If you’ve already made a claim, we’ll meet the adjuster for their inspection.
• Adjustor inspection: Your insurance company will send out an adjuster to look at your damage and get the claim started. It’s best to have us there as your advocate to ensure they see all of the damage during the first phase of the claims process. It can save you from big headaches down the line with your claim to have us there for your initial inspection. The adjusters are looking at multiple homes in a day and can easily miss damage that should be covered. Only 3% of homeowners ever have an advocate working on their behalf, making sure that they’re indemnified.
• Contingency agreement: You permit us to work with the insurance adjuster once you open a claim. This allows us to work with them on your behalf to ensure proper coverage as your contractor.
• Insurance estimate and supplements: Once you receive your insurance estimate/scope, we’ll explain the estimate in detail and work with the insurance company through “supplements” to the claim to ensure that everything is properly covered before starting the work. We’ll update you at every step along the way.
• Scope of work: Now it’s time to pick a date for the job! Choose the right materials and color of the materials for the roofing build and any other trades that will be going on. You get to choose who your contractor is going to be. Make sure it’s someone that you like and trust. You’ll be in contact with your contractor a lot during the process. Hire a professional and someone responsive from the beginning (hint: like us!)
• Building permit: We’ll apply for the building permit with the city or county with our general contracting license for proper inspections along the way.
• Roof installation: This is usually a one to two-day process, depending on the size of your residential roof and the materials that you choose to use. We’ll have our crew out on your roof bright and early and work until it’s completed. Your project manager will work closely with you to keep you informed on the progress, preparation, and what to expect for the build-out. We want you to know that this part of the process is quite noisy and messy, but it will only be for a short time. You’ll be surprised by the amount of work that’s done in a short time after so much preparation. Please read all the suggestions from your project manager. The safety of your home, pets, children, and property is our top concern.
• Clean up: The average roof will have approximately 25 to 30,000 nails between the tear-off and replacement. We also pull off massive amounts of roofing material. It’s noisy and messy, but everything will get put back in place by the end of the project perfectly! We do multiple nail sweeps to ensure your safety.
• Insurance invoicing: Once the work is complete, we’ll invoice your insurance company for final payment. You should receive your funds directly from the insurance company. Sometimes final payment requires approval from your mortgage company to ensure the work was completed.
• Final customer invoice: A final invoice will be emailed to you with confirmation of the work that was completed per the insurance estimate, and all claim allowances are finalized. We’ll sit down and explain exactly what work has been done and go through each line item with you on the invoice so that you completely understand what’s done.
• Final roof inspection: Your project manager will arrange for your final roof inspection by the city or county.

Lastly, it’s good to have your roof inspected before storm season.

You might be surprised at what will cause problems down the line as your building materials age. Insurance companies know this and are willing to repair them before they become a much higher cost for them. With the big swing between summer heat and winter cold, minor problems can become larger if left untreated for too long.

If you have an aging roof, it’s especially important to have it inspected before hail storm season. Hail can cause significant damage to an aging roof, and if the roof is already in need of repair, hail can make the problem worse.

If you have existing damage, you need to protect your home before the next big storm. We’ll come out and take a look outside and inside your home to make sure you’re in good condition and hopefully haven’t sustained any storm damage. We’re happy to take a look so you can have peace of mind!