3 Problems That May Occur On Your Asphalt Roof Due To Long-Term Hail Damage

When hail hits, your asphalt roof does a great job of protecting your home from inclement weather. Unfortunately, the roof can take a beating from the hailstones. Hail knocks off the granules on asphalt shingles and increases the risk of failure. However, hail damage doesn't typically occur with just one storm. It takes a few hits for the hail to dislodge shingles and granules. Therefore, hail damage can go undetected, especially if you don't carry out regular roof maintenance. Unfortunately, hailstones can cause extensive and expensive damage to your roof. Below are some roof problems that may occur due to long-term hail damage.

Roof Leaks

During a violent hailstorm, hailstones dislodge the granules on your roof shingles. These granules protect the shingles from weather elements. Without them, shingles can crack due to inclement weather. They also break and get carried away during storms. This leaves portions of your roof exposed to rainwater. When this occurs, your roof starts to leak, which causes damage to the underlayment and roof decking.

Hailstorms can also dent and damage your metal gutters. Over time, these dents develop into leaks, which lead to water damage on your exterior wall and foundation. If you've had hailstorms in the past, check for shingle granules in your gutters. If you notice a large number of granules, your roof is at risk of failure. You need to repair it immediately to avoid further deterioration.

Shingle Loss and Damage

Loss of granules exposes the shingles to damage. Once exposed, the shingles can crumble under the weight of falling hailstones in subsequent storms. This causes them to crack and break off the roofing structure. Broken and missing shingles affect your roof's curb appeal and increase the risk of structural damage during the rainy season. 

The older your roof is, the greater the chances are for progressive deterioration. Thus, you should replace missing and broken shingles to restore the structural integrity of the structure. If the damage is extensive, inspect the underlayment too. 

UV Exposure

Asphalt shingles are designed to block UV radiation from your roof. The granules block solar rays and heat from being absorbed by the structure. They also prevent extreme temperature changes. Thus, not only do shingle granules protect the roof from UV-related wear and fading, but they also increase the energy efficiency of your home. 

Long-term hail damage reduces the number of granules on individual shingles. With no protective cover, the roof's surface is exposed to UV radiation. With time, the roof fades and loses its luster. The temperature changes during the day and night cause thermal shock, which speeds up wear and tear to the roof.

Hail damage may not be noticeable immediately. The effects are slow and subtle. Therefore, regularly inspect your asphalt roof to identify hail damage and fix it before it causes the above problems. Contact roofing contractors in your area to learn more.