How Hail Damage Affects Your Home

It is important to understand how hail affects your home. Even 1/4″ of hail can cause significant damage, creating a “swiss cheese” effect on your property. The amount of hail and the accompanying wind speed determine the extent of damage. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with hail:

Effects of hail

Hail is a powerful natural force that can cause great damage to buildings and trees. If a hailstorm hits your area, you should know that even a small amount of hail can be deadly. It can cause concussions and even fatal head trauma if the hailstones are large enough. The size of hailstones can also affect the roof, siding, gutters, and other elements of your home. The type of material you have on your roof will also have an impact on its damage.

The main effect of hail damage on plants is the loss of foliage. It can also kill seedlings and knock fruit off trees. The best way to repair hail damage to is to clean up debris from the area and remove the affected branches. In the case of trees, split stems are one of the tell-tale signs of damage from hail. Split stems can also increase the risk of diseases. If your trees or plants have large leaves, the damage will be more obvious. In addition, they may have shredded tips or have other pronounced damage.

If you’ve been hit by a hailstorm, you need to contact your insurance provider to file a claim. Hail can also break window panes and damage seals, resulting in increased heating costs. Also, it can destroy gutters and knock downspouts. These can cause considerable damage to your home’s interior and exterior. In addition, hail can damage plants and wildlife.

Major hail damage

If you’ve had major hail damage to your house, your first step should be to contact your insurance company. Your policy may offer to cover repairs, minus your deductible. This is not always an option, though. If the hail damage is minor and does not affect your property value, you may not need to file a claim. However, if the damage is significant, it may be a good idea to cover the deductible yourself.

Roofing is a particularly common area that is affected by hail damage. A deteriorated roof can lead to leaks, rot, and mold, so it is important to repair the damage as soon as possible. The type of roof is also an important consideration. If the hail damage was on an exposed portion of the roof, it is most likely to have extensive damage. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that policyholders file as soon as possible to ensure proper coverage.

If your insurance provider refuses to cover hail damage, you should get a second opinion from a third contractor. Make sure you get at least three estimates, and be sure to have all details in writing. It is possible that the insurance adjuster will disagree with the estimates from the contractor, so it is important to resolve any differences at the same time.

If you’ve had hail damage, you should check other areas of your house as well. You should inspect any carports, sheds, and air conditioning units. Additionally, you should repair any damages caused to the exterior features of your home. This will help you prevent any future losses from occurring.