Both hail and wind can be damaging to a home’s roof. And deciphering the difference between the types of roof damage can be difficult. Often a roofing expert will be the best person to diagnose the problems and advise you on roof repair options. So, hail damage vs. wind damage: here’s how to tell the difference.
Is your Roof Damage from Wind or Hail?
Have you had an intense storm in your neighborhood recently that left you wondering if you have roofing problems? If you had high winds or hail, you certainly could have some roof issues that should be looked at. If you try to review your roof condition yourself, you might think everything looks ok, but there are signs that can go unnoticed to a homeowner that are actually serious damage.
Hail damage can be one of the most difficult roof problems to discern. Even from very large hail lumps, noticing specific hail damage can be tricky. Hail damage can be subtle to the untrained eye, and looking for particular signs can be helpful.
You might see pits, marks on shingles, or feel soft spots on shingles. More likely, you will notice missing granules or small dark areas. With greater signs of damage or on older roofs, you may see exposed roofing layers, loose or damaged flashing, or shingles.
Even golf ball-sized hail can leave nearly-undetectable or very subtle signs of damage. If you look around past the shingles on your roof to the ventilation, gutters, fascia, and even the outside walls and fencing of your home and see hail damage on these materials, you very likely have hail damage on your roof as well.
How Big Does Hail Need to Be to Damage a Roof?
Hail doesn’t always cause damage. Often it is small and just accumulates on your lawn until it melts. Once hail reaches an inch in diameter, however, it can start to cause harm to a home’s roof.
As a roof ages, it will become more susceptible to issues including problems from weather conditions like hail. If hail storms have high winds, the damage from hail can be more significant since it hits a house and roof at high speeds and sharp angles.
Hail larger than an inch in diameter is likely to cause problems. Hail is a ball of ice being hurled at your home. When it is golf ball size and larger, it increases the likelihood that damage will occur.
How Do You Identify Wind Damage?
Wind damage will have a different look on your home’s roof and can pose problems quicker than hail. Shingles can withstand a lot. They are well-designed to endure rough weather conditions to protect your home and family. And, asphalt shingles are always being updated with new technology to give your family the best value and shelter. But, wind can be fierce, and again, as a roof ages, the shingles become less resilient and damage is more likely to show up in the form of:
- Missing shingles
- Bent or curling shingles
- Missing shingle granules
- Damaged flashing
- Leaks and water leaks
- Fallen trees or branches causing damage
How Much Wind Does it Take to Damage a Roof?
Winds over 40 miles an hour can pose an issue for homes and roofs. Especially if your roof is starting to show age. Keeping an eye on the condition of your roof, having it inspected at least once a year, after large storms, and addressing concerns that pop up will help you stay ahead of big issues, and keep your home and family safe.
Your Local Austin, TX Roofing Professionals
We strive to bring you the best in roofing for the Austin, Texas area. We deliver decades of roofing experience, training, and knowledge in this area’s needs. We are a prominent roofing company in residential roof repair and roof replacement. We will not ask for a deposit on labor or materials as a dependable way to stand out from the competition while bringing you the best product and service in Austin.
When we inspect, install, or repair your roof, we want to provide you with the best options for your roof design, components, and ventilation. We are Master Elite Contractors bringing you the latest in roofing technology, and a member of our local area Better Business Bureau, so you know we take pride in our work and our community.
Contact us by phone or email to schedule your FREE roofing inspection and quote today.
