Regardless of size, hail is capable of causing damage. The level of damage they cause is dependent on the condition of the roof, construction material, impact velocity, and projectile size.
Metal roofs are the clear winner when it comes to resilience whereas asphalt is practically a sitting duck when it comes to these airborne chunks of ice. The following guidelines should give you a general idea of what damage to expect from each respective size of hail.
Dime-Sized Hail
Hail the size of dimes are not often perceived as a threat, and most times they aren’t one, but if your roof is made out of asphalt shingles, you better set some money aside for the costly repairs to come.
Even shingles made out of other, more durable materials can be damaged by hail if they’re old and/or in bad condition. That said, hail this small is unlikely to cause damage to shingles that are in good condition as well as roofs made out of sturdy materials — regardless of their velocity.
Quarter-Sized Hail
Quarter-sized hail, much like their dime-sized counterparts, don’t pose a significant threat, at least not immediately. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fear them though.
While smaller bits of hail don’t have the heft to cause immediate damage to your home, they can still speed up the erosion process and cost you a lot of money down the line. When they’re impacting your roof at high speeds, they can even damage or dislodge some shingles if they’re old and in poor condition.
Half-Dollar Size
When hail passes the quarter size you better prepare for some heavy casualties. Hail of this size packs enough weight to damage your shingles, and at higher speeds, they can even break tiles or dent your metal roof. When you get battered by hail of this size, checking on your roof when the fire ceases is an absolute must.
Any obvious signs of damage need to be repaired immediately even if you don’t notice any leaks. Cracks, dents, and other damage can weaken the structural integrity of your roof and increase the frequency of repairs over the next couple of years.
Shingles can start absorbing — instead of deflecting, as they’re supposed to — moisture once the coating is destroyed either through wear and tear or due to hail impacts.
Considerations
Before you finalize your plan of retaliation on the hail menace, there are some things that you should bear in mind. These factors won’t just affect the total amount you’ll be spending, but also the level of risk that the operation carries.
Budget
At times it can be cheaper to take the repair process into your own hands and do everything yourself. That said, it all depends on how severe the damage is and whether or not your insurance claim got approved. However, some insurance providers actually require that you hire a professional, and they won’t grant you the full payout for your claim until you do so.
Roofing Material
If your insurance provider is fine with it and you feel up to the task, be sure to handle the repair smartly. Get the right equipment, do your research, and put safety at the forefront.
Asphalt shingles are the easiest type of roof damage to repair, but you should never try to replace slate if you don’t have roofing experience. Tiles made out of slate are expensive, heavy, and very easy to damage during installation.
Time
Some minor repairs are often left until spring when the weather conditions are more pleasant. No one wants to be on the roof during a snowstorm, especially if the hail decides to send a second attack towards your home. Before committing to a project, plan the schedule out so you know where your time is going.
