What Does Hail Damage Look Like On Siding?

What Does Hail Damage Look Like On Siding?
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: January 31, 2022
  • Updated On: August 21, 2023

You might notice hail damage to your siding if a storm has just hit your home. It could still be there even if you don’t notice it straight away. Is siding damage repair that important? What is the value of your siding, aside from aesthetics? Your home’s siding has a critical function. Hail damage obstructs this function.

If you don’t get it fixed soon away, the situation will just get worse, costing you more money to solve. However, it’s also crucial to assess the condition of your home’s roof and siding.

Remember that hail doesn’t have to be enormous to inflict substantial damage to your roof and siding, so don’t assume that just because a supercell didn’t hit your area means you don’t need to inspect your roof and siding.

What Is Hail: An Overview

Hail is formed when rain droplets concentrate and freeze together inside thunderstorm updrafts, generating enormous chunks of ice. Raindrops are sucked upwards into very cold portions of the atmosphere by thunderstorm updrafts, and when the temperatures are enough to freeze the raindrops, they become hailstones.

Then, when the updraft carries the small ice pieces about, more rain particles hit the formed hail, increasing greater hail by forming air bubbles and more ice to gather on top of what’s already frozen. Freezing the surrounding water particles to the outside of the already existing hailstones makes the hailstones heavier and larger very instantly.

How To Identify The Hail Damage On Siding?

Hailstorms with big hailstones can actually be less dangerous than hailstorms with small hailstones and stronger gusts, proving that size isn’t necessarily a factor.

Regardless of the size of the hail that just struck your home, you should thoroughly inspect your roof and siding for the following, which involves evaluating it from the roof itself because seeing from the ground is insufficient.

If there are small dents on the metal flashing and roof vents, it because of hailstones. When it comes to keeping your home dry, the metal components of your roofing system are equally as crucial as the shingles.

Examine your shingles for missing pieces of asphalt or cracks. These are the most evident signals that something needs to be fixed or replaced right away.

Inspect The Roof Or Siding

Because not all dimples are visible, feel your shingles with your hand for cracks. This will be done by a competent specialist who will determine exactly where the trouble areas are. Inspect the ridge cap for dents, as this is where the majority of the damage occurs.

All roof ridges are covered by the ridge cap, which must be skilfully fixed to keep water out, but which must be changed immediately if they are damaged.

If the protecting granules on your shingles have been knocked off, the shingles will need to be replaced. Shingles have fiberglass or organic felt foundation, an asphalt body, and granules on the surface. For further protection, many will have a self-sealing strip. To safeguard your property, all components must function properly.

Ignoring Hail Damage Might Lead To Severe Construction Issues

Some may question the need for concern if the harm is so minor that it is impossible to detect. Even if it’s difficult to notice, the damage is present and must be repaired. The roof and siding of your home are vital outer elements that protect everything underneath them.

Moisture gradually seeps through these layers, creating mold, rot, and ruin of anything it comes into contact with inside your home.

In the winter, a broken roof will enable warm air to escape. Similarly, damaged siding can also harm your roof in the same pattern. That’s why it’s a bad idea to ignore hail damage. As the warm air is replaced with cool air, you’ll notice draughts in various sections of the house.

On the other hand, you shouldn’t disregard the damage because it will only worsen if you do. The longer you wait, the more moisture will find its way into locations where it will cause rot, mold, and mildew. Pests will also seek out damaged places.

Call A Professional After The Hail Storm

After a severe storm, many homeowners will have different thoughts about whom to contact first, but the majority will choose to call their insurance agent to report the possibility of damage. This is a bad idea because a bogus claim with no damage might increase premiums.

Calling a roofer is the best course of action. An expert will visit your home, evaluate your whole roofing system for damage, and advise you on whether or not to file a claim.

It would help if you did your homework since you want to trust your contractor completely. If your roofing inspector discovers the damage, the next step is to contact your insurance provider. Most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover the cost, allowing you to pay your deductible and any further costs, such as rotten roof decking.

Make sure your roofing contractor is present when the insurance adjuster conducts their assessment so that everyone is on the same page.

Conclusion

Numerous characteristics need to be considered separately and collectively when attempting to diagnose vinyl siding hail damage. Good insurance adjusters and exterior inspectors should use an appropriate inspection approach when assessing vinyl siding for hail damage.

It may not always be possible to forecast when a hailstorm would occur. Stay inside and remember the discussed tips to assess your home for hail damage after the storm passes the next time you see ominous storm clouds.

Avatar photo
Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE