, orHail damage to your roof after a storm is not always obvious to the untrained eye. You may not think your roof has been affected by last night’s hail. But even the smallest pieces of ice can cause tiny cracks and leaks in your roof, leading to further, more significant damage in the future. In Central Texas, you should never ignore hail damage.

Within three days after a storm, it’s important to have a professional roofing company come out to inspect your home. Experts will find any possible repairs you need to make, and also determine if you’re eligible to file for an insurance claim. 

To learn a little more about how hail damage can impact your roof, let’s look at some of the specific types of damage:

Granule loss – Granules are sandpaper-like parts of the shingle. When a shingle loses its granules, its asphalt coating becomes exposed to the elements. This can lead to accelerated aging. Look in your gutters and downspouts after a hailstorm to see if any granules have come off of your shingles.

Cracks in the shingles – Hard hail impact, high winds, sleet, and more can grip the shingles and cause cracks. This leads to exposure and tears, leaving your roof with bare spots. Cracked shingles cannot do their job in protecting a home from more weather. 

Exposed fiberglass mat – A hailstorm can shatter your shingles’ surfacing, causing them to break away from the fiberglass mat underneath.

Fractured fiberglass mat – Fractured fiberglass can be slightly harder to see and usually requires a professional to spot it. Fractured fiberglass mats can lead to tears and cracks from hail impact.

Weakened self-seal strip – Extreme weather can weaken your roof’s integrity, making it vulnerable to any future storms. A weakened seal is what can cause shingles to fly off your roof, and can leave it exposed to the elements. This can also lead to leaks.

Once you know about these types of hail damage, you can start to look for any indication of damage to your home after a hailstorm.

When ignored, hail damage can quickly turn into leaks or ice dams. These can cause mold, rotting wood, electrical issues, and can force your utility bill to sky rocket. Many of these issues are hard to detect until it’s far too late. Getting your home inspected quickly and thoroughly after a hailstorm can prevent all of these home nightmares.

Be proactive about protecting your home, and get a reliable San Antonio roofing company to repair and protect it from future hail, wind, or other extreme weather.