Should I Put Off Hail Damage Roof Repair?
“I’m pretty sure I have some storm damage. But the season isn’t over yet, and I’m considering waiting to get hail damage roof repair until after the season is over, just in case another hail storm hits. That way I won’t have to have roofers out here twice. Am I playing it smart or just trying to avoid the inevitable?”
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s never a good idea to put off any kind of roof repair. Every time it rains (even if it’s not a hard rain), you run the risk of leakage and water damage.
What if there isn’t another hail storm, but you just get lots of rain for the next 6 weeks? While there won’t be any hail damage to the roof shingles, you will get stains, rot and mildew inside your home.
Let me reiterate: it’s never a good idea to postpone roof repairs. Call Elements Roofing immediately at 303-477-0288 if you believe you have hail damage to your shingles.
Considerations for if you Have Hail Damage to Roof Shingles
However, if you decide to ignore my advice and wait, here are a few items you need to consider as you make your decision.
How old is your roof? If your roof is more than 20 years old, you may at least want to have it inspected for hail damage to the shingles. Loose shingles and unseen damage could result in water damage to your walls; rotting roof members and decking; mold; mildew and worse.
The best way to tell if your shingles are failing due to age is to crawl up into your attic with a flashlight. Look for shafts of light coming through holes in the roof. Next take a closer look at the underside of the decking and the walls for stains and streaks, which are a dead giveaway for leaks.
Do you live in a high hail area? If the answer is yes, again, waiting might cause preventable structural damage. If your roof is old and has been through many hail storms, waiting could cause more problems than you want to deal with.
Northeast Colorado, Sterling and Logan County are known high hail areas. We get hit with storms here several times a year, at least. Storms pass over the mountains, bringing tornadoes, high winds, hail and heavy rains. All of these are terrible for a roof that has already been damaged.
This is really the same decision you’re making on a smaller scale when you decide not to wash your car today because it might rain tomorrow.
Other Factors to Consider Regarding Hail Damage to Shingles
Will my insurance pay for it? This is a good reason to get a quote from a local roofing contractor that knows how to interact with insurance companies. Elements has people on staff with extensive experience dealing with insurance claims.
We’ll work directly with your insurance company to guide you through the claims process, and to help you get the best payout possible.
How long will it take for the local companies to get to me? After major hail storms, there are usually long waiting lists before a roofing company can get to you. That’s why, if you think there’s damage now, get it taken care of when the roofers are not as busy, and your situation isn’t an emergency.
Waiting for the next storm before hiring a contractor for hail damage roof repair could result in a Murphy’s Law situation: you already have a small issue. The storm makes it worse. Nobody can get to you because they’re crushed with calls catering to everybody else who also waited.
With a new or repaired roof in place, you might see some spot damage as a result of the next storm, but the integrity of the roof as a whole would be solid.
It will be a much easier fix, you’ll be less likely to be tempted by storm chasers offering too-good-to-be-true deals. The wait is worth it to use local companies.
So, summing it all up, you have a choice. Take my expert advice and make any necessary repairs while the hail damage to roof shingles is minor, and save yourself lots of money and headaches in the long run.
Or, on the other hand, go ahead and put off the repair and take your chances with Mother Nature. I believe you know which is the correct choice.