Recently we were called out to inspect a home for storm damage, specifically hail damage in Saint Charles, Illinois. As I conduct inspections in areas recently hit by storms, each new season serves as a reminder of how homeowners tend to anticipate significant damage and I have to explain that it all depends on multiple factors. Not all homeowners but many homeowners seem very confident that they would have hail damage. That's because they saw other homes having their roofs replaced in and around their neighborhood. Many homeowners see their neighbors getting new roofs, siding and gutters through their homeowners insurance, and assume that they should be entitled to the same benefits. However, this assumption is not always accurate.
There are several variables that can determine whether hail or wind damage has occurred on your shingles and other exterior parts of the house. For instance, the size and density of the hailstones, how long the hailstorm lasted, and the strength of your roof's materials all play a role in determining whether or not your home has suffered from hail damage.
It's important to note that hail doesn't fall uniformly; sometimes it clusters, and some larger hailstones will be mixed in with smaller ones. This means that even if your neighbor's house sustained damage, your home may not have been affected in the same way. This doesn't even take into account what each insurance company considers damage. For example, an insurance company does what's called a "test square" which is a 10' X 10' area for each roof elevation. In order to pay for that elevation each insurance company has a set amount of hail hits they need to find in order to pay for the whole elevation. Some require 8 hits while others require 10. Allstate for example requires 12 so you can have visible hail damage on two different houses but if you can only find 10 hits per test square and you have Allstate you may only get repairs paid out.
The best way to know for sure if your home has suffered from hail damage is to get an inspection. Most inspections for storm damage are free, and having a professional take a look can save you lots of time and money in the long run.
During an inspection, a professional will check for any signs of damage, such as hail dents on soft metals like roof vents. These vents are made of aluminum and dent easily compared to shingles, so if the vent doesn't show any damage, it's unlikely that the shingles have been harmed.
In conclusion, hail damage can cause significant problems for homeowners in Saint Charles and everywhere else. While it may seem like everyone else is getting new roofs and siding through their insurance, it's important to remember that each home is unique and each hail storm has it's variables. The only way to know if your property has been damaged is to get an inspection from a professional. Don't wait until it's too late - contact a roofing expert like TomKat Restoration today and protect your home from the hidden dangers of hail damage. Call (833) 3TOMKAT or book an inspection through their website at www.tomkatrestoration.com
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