One serious problem that Calgary residents often face is hailstorms. These storms have been known to cause serious damage to shingles, flashing, and other roofing materials.
If not repaired, this damage can result in serious leaks or even structural damage. Given Calgary’s unpredictable weather patterns, investing in long-lasting roofing materials and prioritizing prompt post-storm inspections can help keep roofs in peak condition.
Knowing what hail damage looks like is key to keeping your home safe and preventing expensive repair costs.
Understanding Calgary’s Hailstorms
Calgary experiences hailstorms every few years, often leaving significant roof damage in their wake. Since these storms can be sudden and unexpected, homeowners must know how to prepare. Hail damage often results in bruised or cracked shingles.
It can cause punctures that are not always immediately noticeable but can result in expensive repairs down the line. As an example, loss of granules may appear as a minor issue, but this can reduce the expected service life of a roof.
In regions with frequent hailstorms, homeowners can take advantage of the benefits of hail-resistant materials. Class 4 shingles are rated to withstand hailstones up to 2 inches!
After a storm, taking time to document damage and contact your insurance will help speed up claims and repairs. Importantly, choose local contractors over transient ones to ensure quality repairs.
5 Common Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof
Hailstorms like Calgary’s can cause extensive damage to roofs, sometimes completely hidden from view until it’s too late. The sooner you can identify any damage, the better and less expensive the damage repair will be.
Dented eavestroughs are a big giveaway. Though hail damage hits eavestroughs on their own, likely not visible dents along which rainwater runs.
Visible cracks or dents in shingles are another clear sign of hail damage. These cracks compromise their protective purpose and make leaks more likely.
When asphalt shingle granules are missing or loose, it leaves the roof exposed to the elements. This exposure accelerates the weathering process and shortens its overall lifespan.
Soft metals such as aluminum gutters or vinyl siding will usually have visible dents. These dents indicate where the hail has struck.
In more extreme situations, large hailstones can puncture shingles, underlayment, and even roof decking. This can affect the structural integrity of your roof.
Inspecting Your Roof After a Hailstorm
After a Calgary hailstorm, inspecting your roof for damage can prevent unnecessary expensive repairs. Hail often causes clear-cut damage to roofs, such as dents in metal roofs and dimples in shingles. Cracked or missing shingles, granular loss on asphalt shingles, and damaged roof vents or gutters are all typical occurrences.
Start your inspection with softer components, like vents, flashing, and gutters, since damage tends to show up there first. High points on the roof, such as peaks or ridges, are vulnerable to cracks or raised shingles.
In “Hail Alley,” where hailstorms are frequent, subtle damage can escalate if overlooked. For detailed assessments, professional inspections provide clarity, especially for insurance claims. Document damage thoroughly before contacting your provider.
What to Do If You Suspect Hail Damage
Damage from Calgary hailstorms can be extreme, even with hailstones less than 2.5 cm. Start by examining your roof from the ground.
Examine your roof for visible dents in gutters or downspouts, missing or damaged shingles, and any granules that may wash off. On the interior, look for any water stains, mold in the attic, or increased drafts. If you see these signs, it’s important to check for hail damage.
Take action as soon as possible to avoid further damage becoming an issue. If hail damage is suspected, schedule a professional inspection to determine the extent of the damage.
Highly trained professionals can spot hidden problems such as hairline cracks in vents, seams or flashing. Even if you’re able to patch things up, be thorough in recording the damage for your insurance provider.
Most policies have a one-year statute of limitations in which to file. Have some patience, because some of those claim resolutions will include an ombudsperson for complicated scenarios.
Repairing or Replacing Your Hail-Damaged Roof
Hailstorms in Calgary can cause significant damage to roofs, and addressing this promptly is essential for maintaining structural integrity. After a storm, begin by ensuring everyone’s safety before evaluating the damage.
Hail damage, often covered under Alberta homeowners’ insurance policies, requires proper documentation. Partnering with a certified local contractor adept in Calgary building codes and insurance processes ensures smooth restoration.
Professionals often use tools like Xactimate to provide accurate repair estimates. If multiple storms have impacted your roof, schedule an inspection before winter.
Resilient materials, such as metal roofing, are worth considering for their durability. Lastly, remember hail damage can extend beyond just the roof, impacting daily life.
Preventing Future Hail Damage
Calgary hail storms can be incredibly damaging to roofs and exteriors, leaving Calgary residents looking for solutions to prevent future damage. As a result, more homeowners are seeking to retrofit their homes with more durable materials such as stucco to better survive future storms.
Impact-resistant shingles are another popular choice, commonly incentivized by insurance companies with rebates of up to $2,500. For example, Calgary issued $3.25 million in rebates in 2020 to incentivize more resilient roofing retrofits.
Having endured the devastation of hail storms multiple times, residents are mobilizing to demand a tougher defense. Some have paid up to $25,000 out of pocket for their repairs!
At the local level, leaders are pushing for neighborhood-wide incentives to encourage resilience. These measures, though initially expensive, greatly reduce risks and save costs in the long term.
Why Choose Emergency Services for Hail Damage Repairs?
Hailstorms in Calgary can cause serious roof damage, creating weak points and making them vulnerable. Repairing damage promptly helps prevent secondary damage such as mold growth or insulation damage, which usually increases repair costs significantly.
Superior Roofing’s Emergency Services is focused on properly finding and fixing hail damage so that homeowners and business owners can prevent extended interruptions. Their professionals’ proficiency with premium materials ensures results that are solid, lasting, and customized to Calgary’s unique climate concerns.
By identifying issues early, timely inspection and repair can bring savings of over 90%. An experienced team knows how to navigate elaborate insurance claims, providing crucial assistance when you need it most.
With a commitment to superior workmanship and reduced turnaround time, you can count on them to get property owners’ roofs restored quickly and properly.
Conclusion
Hailstorms in Calgary are no joke, and they can have devastating effects on your roof. Recognizing damage right away, having professionals inspect your roof, and acting quickly can save you valuable time and money. A reliable roof will help keep your home, family, and property safe. Whenever a storm rolls through, focus on what happened and what was damaged!
Whether it’s an emergency patch-up or a complete roof overhaul, finding out who you can trust is what separates the amateurs from the pros. When it comes to protecting your home against Calgary’s unpredictable weather, you need a roofing company you can trust, like Superior Roofing Ltd.
Whether you’re facing hail damage or in need of a few expert tips, contact our team today. We’re with you every step of the way. A solid, durable roof is all in the preparation—and we’ll help you prepare.
