Hail Damaged Roof in Texas? Here’s How to Tell When to Call Your Insurance Agent

If you live in North Texas, you undoubtedly know that Texas-sized hailstones can wreak havoc on your roof. It’s nearly impossible to avoid hail damage around this part of the country, but how do you know if the damage is just cosmetic or if you need to have your roof repaired? Tri Star Insurance wants you to know when you need to call your homeowner’s insurance agent and offers you these suggestions for evaluating the level of damage to your roof.

Most homes have roofing made from asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes or roof tiles. Asphalt shingles are the most common, covering over 80% of the homes in this country. Asphalt shingles are tough and can stand up to plenty of beatings from hail, but Texas-sized hailstorms can leave their mark on even the strongest roof. Hail damage to asphalt shingles can happen in two different ways: the reinforcing mat can be ruptured or the granules on the shingles are knocked off which exposes the bitumen underneath. If the reinforcing mat is ruptured, the shingle’s ability to shed water is lowered and if the shingles begin losing these granules, the life of the shingles is drastically reduced. These problems can result in water entering the interior of your home, dramatically increasing the amount of water damage to your home.

The problem is that roof damage isn’t always obvious to the naked eye, especially from ground level. There are a few signs though that your roof requires a closer inspection. Be careful about getting on a ladder to inspect your roof. Don’t climb onto the surface of the roof, because damage could make the roof unstable and you may not realize it until it’s too late. Instead, get out your binoculars and look for these problems:

•    Torn or missing shingles
•    Warped or dented spots in the roof
•    Broken tiles or tiles knocked out of place
•    Missing metal roof panels
•    Water spots or other signs of water in your attic

Generally, if you have hail damage to your vehicles or other property your roof could be damaged as well.

If you notice hail damage to your roof, or a significant amount of hail damage to other property, it’s time to pick up the phone and call your insurance agent. When you are working with a reputable agency, they will be happy to send out an adjustor to look at your home and determine whether you do have hail damage to your roof. If you live in the North Dallas, Plano or Frisco, Texas areas, you can depend on quality customer service from the folks at Tri-Star Insurance Professionals. Call Tri-Star Insurance Professionals, Inc., today at 214-387-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-880-4600 for homeowner’s insurance to provide the coverage you need to protect your home from hail damage. When you live in Texas, you know the hailstorms will likely continue throughout the summer. Make sure your home is protected with sufficient homeowner’s insurance before your roof takes a beating from the next hailstorm.