Hail damage to roof (house)

Luq

In north Texas we had a hailstorm on March 30th. I had some pretty decent golf ball sized hail at my house. Since that storm, roofers have descended on my neighborhood like a pack of hungry jackals. Every day I have at least 5 new pamphlets/door hangers/business cards on my door. On the weekend it's constant doorbell ringing, they want to do their free inspections.

Anyway I had a few of them look at the roof and of course they all say it's severe damage. I know they're all looking to cash in, and they have their own competing interest here. Each one offered to to absorb a different amount of the deductible, two of them basically absorbing the whole thing. It really doesn't look bad to me, but I'm obviously no expert. The adjuster is coming out next week but he will have his own set of competing interests. I'd like to get some objective opinions if possible. Here are some pics.

I have quite a few pock marks like this on my roof.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa22/coolhandluq/DSC01863.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa22/coolhandluq/DSC01864.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa22/coolhandluq/DSC01861.jpg

To me it just looks cosmetic, but I know jack shit about shingles. Here's a wide shot which to me also looks fine:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa22/coolhandluq/DSC01862.jpg

My gutters are dinged up pretty bad all over. It's just cosmetic damage though. Here's actually one of the better looking segments:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa22/coolhandluq/DSC01868.jpg

Any knowledgeable opinions or just people with their own experience would be welcome. Thanks.

bowen

It's cosmetic. Worst case you just need to use a polymer sealant on some holes if there's a leak.

japan

I've dealt with plenty of claims for roofing damage, but I'm not familiar with the particular construction of shingled roofs (not common in the UK), so take with a grain of salt.

Some general advice though: The insurance company will only pay for damage that's actually due to severe weather, and aspect of wear and tear or work that's deemed to be maintenance, they won't cover. Since it looks like your roof resembles asphalt flat roofs, the way I'd expect this to manifest is that the roofers will want to renew a large area (because it's easier, more likely to last, and makes them more money) and the insurance company will want to patch.

Honestly, if the roof is relatively new and/or hasn't been subject to a lot of weathering, you'll probably be alright with patches, unless the climate where you are is such that the roof will be constantly wet.

matt has a problem

Yeah, it's just cosmetic. Any roofer calling that "severe" damage is a shyster.

Goofball

bowen wrote: »

It's cosmetic. Worst case you just need to use a polymer sealant on some holes if there's a leak.

For what you took photos of it is totally not worth even messing with. The only thing you'll get out of having one of these vultures touch anything will be higher insurance premiums.

MichaelLC

matthasaproblem wrote: »

Yeah, it's just cosmetic. Any roofer calling that "severe" damage is a shyster.

Thirded. It doesn't even look like any cracked, only dented the shingle.

Luq

Thanks guys. Now I can tell these roofers where they can stick it, with confidence.

Al_wat

Yeah, wow I was picturing something like a sheet metal roof that now looks like a golf ball.

Your roof is fine. Also door to door contractors are not who you want to do business with generally. I've worked for a few, its all bullshit and lies.

MrOletta

How old is your roof?

Is it a 15 year roof? You might want to be careful in quickly dismissing it, as the current age should have a fairly large impact on your decision to inquire about the situation to your insurance agent.

If you're looking to sell soon, and the roof is 9+ years old, you might find people wanting you to deduct the cost of their insurance deductible off of the house price (we did on the house we purchased which was 10 years old).

EskimoDave

Dang, that's one clean roof.

Luq

The roof is 4 years old and we are looking to sell within 3 years, so I don't think that will be an issue. I still have the adjuster coming out just in case. I have also found 2 reputable roofers who have been working in the area for over 20 years and operate year round, not just at vulture opportunities. I'm still thinking and hoping that nothing needs to be done, but it is good to be prepared.

Yeah, the roof is clean. The trees in the neighborhood are all too small.

Zombie Nirvana

I wouldn't call that severe damage but I also wouldn't dismiss it as quickly as some in this thread. I'd see what your adjuster says and consider your deductible and the sale of your home in the future. If money isn't tight, I'd probably go ahead and replace the roof.

And you already know this, but be very careful who you hire.

bowen

Your roof is pristine. All that is is a little discoloration (asphalt under the shingle it looks like) from an impact hit. I doubt, even in 15 years, that roof is going to be in bad shape.

I'm willing to bet they're fiberglass shingles too, which makes it even more durable to impacts like hail. Although with thermal flashing (hot days, cold nights) is probably common in north Texas isn't it?

FyreWulff

That's just normal wear and tear. The shingles are fine.

This always happens after hail storms. Businesses will try to capitalize. Kinda like how suddenly after a big hail storm every business, including the local family restaurant, figures out how to fix hail dents in cars and will charge you 40$ for something that costs them 2$.