Hail, Hail, The Grain's All Here...! The Question Is, Where's Here?
Hail damage is a pretty common situation in Wisconsin. The key is reacting when you think damage might have occurred. If leaks begin, water can ruin the interior of your home.
One tell tale sign that your roof has been damaged is a large amount of asphalt granules in your home’s gutters.
“That’s the answer we have been getting a lot lately because of the hail storms we have received this summer. The asphalt granules are what gives a roof it’s longevity. When larger amounts of the granules show up in your rain gutters or are washed out the downspout, it could be your roof has experienced hail damage and its aging process is accelerating. “ Casey Frisch of Advanced Exteriors
How Do You Know If You Have Hail Damage?
The granules of asphalt will release over the course of a few months or years, and your roof will eventually need replacing according to Frisch. When the fiberglass backing is exposed to the elements and the UV rays from the sun, your roof may only last about a year. If the fiberglass shows on an unprotected southern exposure, the breakdown can be quicker. Other clues that hail has come through and may have been heavy enough to damage a roof include: ?
- Damaged Plants
- Roof vents with dents
- Fins on top of air conditioning units are bent or dented
- Car in driveway with dings
- Cracks or holes in vinyl or aluminum window frames
- Cracks or holes in vinyl siding
What Do I Do If I Suspect Possible Hail Damage?
The plan of attack is pretty straightforward. However, it is best to do the following steps in sequence. First call a local roofing professional to inspect your roof. Do not call your insurance companyfirst. If there is no damage the call may be considered as a claim against your policy. If there is damage, have your roofer supply a quote. Contact your insurance company with the quote in hand , they will send an adjuster to review your quote. The adjuster for the insurance company will then provide you with an estimate. If your insurance estimate doesn’t match your contractor’s quote, pass a copy of your insurance information to your contractor. They will follow up with your insurance company and can usually reach a figure that will allow the replacement to occur.
Who do I choose to help?
“There is a sequence of events I recommend for all homeowners because I think it’s the most prudent,” Frisch says. They are:
? First, select a local roofing professional with a good reputation to inspect your roof. I stress local because there are “storm chasers” that use storms to get quick orders. There have been problems with shotty work or problems in the future and by the time these things surface, these people are long gone.
? If you do not know a roofer, you are welcome to call me of course, however, the yellow pagesand Angie’s list (that has performance ratings) are just a couple of sources for established local roofing contractors.
? To be sure of the roofer you choose for the inspection, you can always reference the State of Wisconsin Circuit Court Access online to see if there are any past judgments against them.
? Check with the State of Wisconsin to see if the contractor you are considering has articles of Incorporation on file. If not, I recommend finding someone else.
? Very important — avoid “storm chasers” — they are here today, and gone tomorrow
.? Ask for proof of insurance which they supply, including a certificate of insurance stating their liability policy, autopolicy, workmen’s comp. policy ,and if they have umbrella policies.
? Ask for their license. Most contractors should carry 2–3 that are supplied by the state.
? One Is their Building Contractor Registration
? Next is their Dwelling contractor Certification
? Finally, and most important, is their Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification Each is a card supplied by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and each license has a 6 digit number associated with it. If they don’t have any of these, they can’t even obtain a building permit to do your work.
? Ask for and check references. If a contractor can’t produce them, the next natural question is why not?
