How Hail Storms Damage Homes

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What is a Hailstone?

Hail is a type of precipitation, or water in the atmosphere. Hail is formed when drops of water freeze together in the cold upper regions of thunderstorm clouds. These chunks of ice are called hailstones. Most hailstones measure between 5 millimeters and 15 centimeters in diameter, and can be round or jagged.

How does it cause damage?

Generally homeowners are unaware of the damage but one way to get an idea of what your roof condition is to look at your car. If there are dents in the hood of your vehicle, there is most likely damage to your roofing. Then take a look at your gutters and downspouts, if you find dents, you most likely have damage elsewhere. Hailstones fall from a very high altitude and can reach speeds of 110 MPH. Thats like Randy Johnson throwing hundreds of golf ball sized ice at your house. That is going to do some damage!

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What hailstones do to your roof

In the photo to the left you will see little dark blotches all over this gray roof. Those blotches are actually granules of asphalt that have been knocked away from the shingle. These blotches will deteriorate very quickly leaving and open wound in your roofing which will indeed leak.

This type of damage is not repairable and would require a full roof replacement.

Professional Inspection

Reformation GC has qualified sales representatives who have been trained to look for all types of damage caused by Mother Nature. Hail, wind, tornado you name it. If you are unsure you have damage, give us a call and we would be happy to perform a free inspection of your property. If we find damage, we will discuss the appropriate next steps.

Filing an insurance claim

If you have damage from any type of storm you need to call your insurance company to file a claim. When you call in to file a claim, you will not be working with your agent. They actually have no involvement in the claim process. My best advice is to search the name of your insurance company followed by “claims department.” Call the phone number provided.

Once you are speaking to the appropriate person, you will need to provide the following information.

  • Date in which the damage occurred

  • What caused the damage

  • The damage you see or you think you might have

The insurance company then will develop your claim based on your explanation and then assign you a claim number.

For more information on how the claim process works please read my blog Insurance Claims Process


Brandon Fillinger