How Much Hail Damage Do You Need to Replace Your Austin Roof?

Hail and other severe weather conditions are common in Austin. After a severe hailstorm, you may wonder if you should replace your roof. But how much hail damage do you need before it’s time to call roofing contractors in Austin, TX, to the rescue?

How Much Damage Can Hail Do to a Roof?

It doesn’t take much for hail to damage a roof, even if the hailstones are small or inconsequential in size. If the hail is one inch in diameter or greater, it can damage your roof. Some signs that your roof has been damaged by hail include:

• There are dents in the shingles. If you have an asphalt shingle roof, hail can easily dent it. If you notice excessive dents in your roof after a hailstorm, it may be time to replace your roof. Look for jagged edges, holes that look like cigarette burns, and “dips” in the roof. These are clear signs that it’s been dented.
• The shingles are missing granules. When granules in asphalt shingles are missing, it’s usually because they are old. However, when newer shingles are missing granules, especially after a hailstorm, they are much more susceptible to extensive wear and tear. An experienced roofing expert in Austin will advise whether your asphalt shingle roof has life left in it or if it needs to be replaced after a hailstorm.
• Your gutters have collapsed. Hail that falls into the gutters can create excessive pressure and weight on those structures, causing them to collapse. Collapsed gutters lead to holes in the fascia and the roof, necessitating a replacement.
• There are holes in the downspouts. Like collapsed gutters, holes in the downspouts (the part of the gutter that goes down and away from the house) caused by hailstorms almost always necessitate a roof repair or replacement.
• There is puncture damage on the roof. While large hailstones are especially dangerous, even smaller ones can do considerable damage. If your roof is older, it takes several smaller hailstones to hit the roof and cause extensive puncture damage. If you start seeing holes in your roof after a storm, it’s a sure sign that it’s time to replace it.
• There are leaks or water stains in your ceiling. Sometimes, the damage to the roof isn’t immediately evident. You may not notice the damage to your roof until you find leaks or water stains in your ceiling long after the hailstorm has passed. If that’s the case, you’ll need to get your roof repaired or replaced immediately before the damage worsens.

Filing an Insurance Claim for a New Roof After a Hailstorm

Once you’ve identified that there’s been hail damage to your roof, you’ll need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company and begin the claims process.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to file an insurance claim for a new roof successfully:

• Document all the damage. Take extensive photos and videos of the damage to your roof. Try to find pictures and videos of your roof before the damage to show your insurance company the difference.
• Contact an experienced roofing contractor. For decades, the roofing experts at RoofsOnly have been helping Austin residents navigate the difficult task of filing an insurance claim. We know what to look for when assessing whether your roof needs repairing or replacing, and we know what to write in our estimates for your insurance company.
• Begin the claims process by contacting your insurance company. Once you have documented the damage and received an estimate from RoofsOnly, the next step is to contact your insurance company and begin the claims process. This is the time to note if your policy has Actual Cash Value (ACV, or a policy that factors depreciation into the cost of a new roof, leaving you to take more out of your pocket for a repair or a replacement) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV, or a policy that provides the total cost of a new roof, minus your deductible).
• Schedule an appointment with your insurance company’s adjuster. Most insurance companies dispatch an adjuster to verify the true extent of damage within 24 to 48 hours. Schedule an appointment with your adjuster and let them assess the true extent of the damage to your roof. The assessment may uncover more damage than you may realize.
• Meet with your roofing contractor after your insurance company renders a decision. A decision from an insurance company usually takes about 5 to 10 business days. However, after a severe weather incident, that decision can take longer as the insurance company processes various claims. Regardless, it’s imperative to meet with RoofsOnly with the decision from your insurance company to go over all the details. This is the best way to get the results you need in a timely manner.
• Get approved, get paid, and get your roof replaced. Once everyone agrees on the amount needed for a roof repair or replacement, it’s time to finish the job! Sometimes, your insurance company will pay for the entire roof repair. At other times, the payments will come in installments, with the first half paid upon acceptance of the work and the second half paid upon completion. Either way, RoofsOnly is fully licensed and insured and provides full warranties for our work, so you’ll never have to worry about your roof faltering after it’s been repaired or replaced.

Let RoofsOnly Work with You After a Hailstorm

Dealing with insurance companies and roof damage after a hailstorm can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s especially true if you’ve never gone through the process before. Fortunately, the roofing experts at RoofsOnly are here to help. As a family-owned and operated business that has served the residents of the Greater Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, and San Antonio areas for decades, we have earned a reputation for delivering quality work with integrity and pride. We’d love to add your testimonial to our list, so contact us today and find out why we’re the best roofing contractors in Austin, TX.