The weather in Minnesota can be dramatic, to say the least. Winter snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures often overstay their welcome, while powerful thunderstorms roll through on a regular basis during spring and summer. Inclement weather can be destructive to your home exterior, and there are few things more damaging than hail.
Any strong thunderstorm has the potential to produce hailstones, and these icy pellets can do quite a number of roofs, siding, gutters, and windows. If you’ve recently experienced a hailstorm at your Twin Cities residence and you’re concerned about it, keep reading to learn how you can identify signs of hail damage.
Signs of Hail Damage on Roofs
The roofs of homes in Minnesota tend to bear the brunt of the damage during hailstorms. Asphalt shingle roofs are the most common statewide, and these roofing materials are more vulnerable to hail damage than other roof types. Impacts by large hailstones can leave discolored bruises on asphalt roofs that are often not visible unless you perform an up-close inspection. If you suspect hail damage, try pressing on the bruise; if damage has occurred, it will feel spongy to the touch. In severe storms, hail can completely crack asphalt shingles.
Another way to determine if asphalt shingle roofing has suffered hail damage is by checking your gutters and downspouts. After hail damage, asphalt granules will often accumulate in these places due to being knocked loose by hail and washed into gutters and downspouts by rain. When there are a lot of granules trapped in your gutters, it is likely your roof is in need of repairs due to hail damage. Gutters themselves may also get dinged up during a hailstorm, reducing their effectiveness as drainage solutions.
Although they are more resilient to hail impacts, other types of roofs in the Twin Cities area can also take damage if the hailstones are large enough. When cedar shake or shingle roofing suffers hail damage, the wood will often split at the impact point. Hail damage to metal roofing will appear as dents in the metal panels; these should be apparent with an inspection.
Spotting Hail Damage to Siding
Just like roofs, siding often takes a pounding from hail during thunderstorms in Minnesota. Because siding is more visible from the ground, hail damage to these surfaces may be more noticeable to you than hail damage to your roof. Depending on the severity of hail impacts, damage to siding may be limited to chipping of paint, or there may be deeper dents or cracks. Be warned that while chipped paint may not seem like a big issue, repeated hail impacts can lead to more serious damage, so this is not a sign you should ignore. Vinyl siding tends to be the most vulnerable to hail damage but other siding materials can sustain damage as well.
How to Recognize Hail Damage to Windows
During the most severe hailstorms, it is possible for windows to be completely shattered by large hailstones. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen very often in Minnesota, but it is common for windows to be chipped and cracked by hail strikes. After a hailstorm, carefully inspect your windows for any small areas of damage. What begins as a tiny chip can grow into a branching crack that eventually breaks your window apart. Carefully monitor hail damage to your windows; if it appears to be worsening over time, you should schedule window replacement.
Beyond damage to glass windowpanes, hailstorms in the Twin Cities area can also damage window frames. How this damage appears may vary based on the type of frame. Hail damage to aluminum frame occurs in the form of dents, which tend to be very noticeable. With wooden frames, hail strikes can result in the wood cracking or splintering. Hail damage to vinyl window frames is often more subtle; look carefully for cracks or warping in the vinyl materials.
Looking for a Storm Damage Repair Contractor in Minnesota?
If you’ve spotted signs of hail damage to your home exterior, your best next step is to work with a professional storm damage repair contractor to get it fixed. Contact Arko Exteriors today if you’re in need of hail damage repair services in the greater Twin Cities area!