The hail lasted maybe ten minutes. Afterward the yard was covered in shredded leaves, the car has a few new dings, and the roof looks about the same as it did yesterday. That’s what makes hail damage roof repair in Republic, MO so hard to judge: the worst of it usually can’t be seen from the ground.
You don’t want to file a claim over nothing, and you don’t want to find out next spring that the roof was hurt all along. You need someone to get up there, look closely and show you what they found.
APC Roofing is GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and works in Republic out of our Springfield office. The hail inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to set one up.
What hail does to an asphalt shingle roof
An asphalt shingle has three layers that matter here: a fiberglass mat, the asphalt that waterproofs it and a coat of ceramic granules on top that shields the asphalt from the sun.
A hailstone hitting that shingle can do a few things. It can knock the granules loose, leaving a dark spot of bare asphalt. It can bruise the shingle, so the spot feels soft when pressed. And on a harder hit, it can crack the mat underneath, which you’ll never see from above.
None of that usually leaks right away. The trouble comes later. Bare asphalt dries out and cracks in the sun, a fractured mat lets water work through, and a roof that should have had years left starts failing early. Granules piling up in your gutters or at the bottom of a downspout are often the first clue.
Hail on metal, tile and flat roofs
Metal roofs dent. Many dents are only cosmetic, and the panel keeps shedding water fine. Others crack the paint finish or damage seams and fasteners, which can lead to rust and leaks. Some insurance policies treat cosmetic metal damage differently, so it’s worth reading yours or asking your agent.
Tile roofs can crack or chip under large hail, and a broken tile exposes the underlayment beneath it to sun and water.
Flat and low-slope roofs can show punctures or bruised membranes, and on some systems hail crushes the insulation board underneath.
The clues hail leaves around your house
Your roof isn’t the only thing hail hits. Before the inspection, walk around the house and look at:
- Gutters and downspouts, for round dents
- Metal roof vents and caps
- The fins on your outdoor AC unit
- Window screens, which tear easily
- Painted surfaces, siding and fence boards on the side the storm came from
Dents on the soft metal tell an inspector roughly how large the hail was and which way it was blowing. They’re also useful photos for your insurance claim.
Repairing hail damage or replacing the roof
On a newer roof with scattered hits, replacing the damaged shingles can be enough. The catch is matching. Shingles fade and styles get discontinued, so a repair on an older roof may not blend in.
When hail has bruised shingles across several slopes, a repair turns into patching dozens of spots, each one a seam that can leak. At that point a roof replacement in Republic is often the more sensible fix. Your inspection photos will show where your roof falls, and you’ll get a straight recommendation either way.
Thinking about impact-resistant shingles
If your roof is being replaced after hail, it’s a good time to ask about impact-resistant shingles. They’re tested by dropping steel balls on them, and the highest rating is usually labeled Class 4. They aren’t hail-proof, but they hold up better than standard shingles. Some insurance companies treat them differently when setting premiums, so call your agent before you choose. You can compare options on our shingle roofing in Republic page.
Hail damage and your insurance claim
You file the claim with your insurance company and you pay your deductible. APC inspects the roof, photographs and measures the hail damage, gives you a written estimate and works with your adjuster so the damage is clearly accounted for. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible. The insurance roof claims in Republic page has the full process.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see close-up photos of any hail hits, hear whether it’s a repair or a replacement, and get a written estimate.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Many residential projects are finished in a single day, and the crew leaves your yard clean.
Hail damage questions from Republic homeowners
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
Larger hail does more damage, but there’s no single cutoff. Older or worn shingles can bruise from smaller stones, and wind-driven hail hits harder than hail that falls straight down.
Can hail damage show up later?
Yes. Bruised shingles lose granules over the following months, and leaks often appear a season or more after the storm.
Should I go up and look myself?
Please don’t. Hail-damaged roofs are slippery, and the important damage is hard to spot without knowing what to look for. Check from the ground and leave the roof to us.
Does every hailstorm mean a new roof?
No. Many storms leave no real damage, and many others need only a repair. An inspection is how you find out.
Know before the next storm rolls in
Hail damage left alone doesn’t heal. Bare spots keep losing granules, and the next round of spring storms hits a roof that’s already weakened.
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free hail inspection online. You’ll know whether the storm hurt your roof, what it takes to fix it and how the claim side works, and you can stop wondering every time a storm warning pops up on your phone.
