A Florida winter is much milder than in other parts of the country, but hail is still a distinct possibility in the Sunshine State. While your roofing system is designed to resist impact damage, knowing how to spot hail damaged shingles is essential to protecting your roof and preventing further damage. And when you do see signs of hail damage, PITCH Roofing will be there to fix the issue and get your roof back in top shape.
What makes hail damage so serious is how easy it is to overlook. While it usually only causes minor damage, that damage will grow over time. And if you’re not careful, what was a quick and affordable repair will quickly turn into a bigger, more expensive problem. As your trusted local roofing partner, PITCH is here to make sure you’re ready for anything that Florida weather can throw at you!
Signs of Hail Damaged Shingles
Asphalt shingles are hardy and durable, but they’re not immune to hail damage. This is especially true for older shingles or 3-tab shingles. Because these shingles are weaker than the industry standard, they’re more likely to show signs of damage after a hailstorm.
Even for new or architectural shingles, however, hail can still leave a mark, especially larger pieces of hail. Here are some of the most common and easily identifiable signs that you have hail damaged shingles in Florida:
- Loose Shingles: If you see shingles flapping in the wind or not sitting right on your roof, it could be because a large piece of hail knocked them loose.
- Missing Granules: Stone granules can come off your shingles as they age. However, if your shingles are missing granules and they’re under 15 years old, then the problem is likely hail damage.
- Dark Spots: If you see what look like dark bruises on your shingles, it’s likely due to impact damage suffered during a hailstorm.
- Cracks and Splits: In the most extreme cases, hail can crack your shingles or even break them into multiple pieces.
If you see any of these issues, it’s essential to get professional shingle roof repair services ASAP. But how do contractors repair hail damaged shingles? Well, it depends in part on how bad the damage is.
How Contractors Repair Hail Damaged Shingles
The process of repairing hail damaged shingles is, thankfully, quick and easy. Regardless of which sign of damage your shingles are showing, the solution is to remove the shingles and install new ones. Provided that you spotted the damage quickly and the problem hasn’t had time to spread, this is a perfect job for handyman roofers.
However, if you’ve had hail damaged shingles for a while now, the situation becomes more complicated. Damaged shingles are structural vulnerabilities that can let water into your roofing system. If this happens, water damage can spread throughout your roof, including your roof decking. This is, as you might imagine, a much more involved roof repair process, which is why it’s best to leave serious work like this in the hands of experienced contractors.
If your roof has water damage, it will take professional leak detection services to understand the full extent of the damage. From there, repairing your roof will depend on how bad the situation is. You could get away with just replacing a few more shingles if the water damage has only spread a little, or you could find yourself needing a partial roof replacement in the worst case scenario.
As you can see, there is a wide variety in what could be required to fix your roof after a hailstorm. If you act quickly, repairs are simple and affordable. But if the damage has time to spread, you’re looking at a much more complicated set of repairs. And if you’re not sure which camp you fall into, the best thing you can do is reach out to seasoned roofing professionals.
Get a Free Shingle Repair Estimate
Nobody wants to find themselves with hail damaged shingles. But if you see the signs on your roof, the best thing you can do is reach out for help ASAP. Whether you just need a quick shingle replacement or you’re looking at more serious damage, PITCH will examine your roof and advise you on the best course of action.
You can sign up for a free, no-obligation roof repair estimate by calling us at 727-677-4824 or by filling out our contact form. We’ll send out a friendly roofing professional to inspect your hail damaged shingles, assess any extra damage, and prepare an itemized quote that walks you through the full scope of your roof repair. Whether you end up choosing PITCH or not, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision!
It can be tempting to put off roof repairs, especially when you’re not sure which roofers to trust. But with PITCH in your corner, you’ll see firsthand how easy Roofing Done Right can be. Give us the opportunity to earn your business, and we’ll show you why we’re Florida’s top shingle roofing company!
FAQs About Hail Damage & Shingles
Q: How big does hail have to be to damage shingles?
A: Generally, any piece of hail one inch or larger is capable of damaging your shingles. Smaller pieces of hail can also cause damage, but most hail damaged shingles happen as result of hail that is at least one inch in diameter.
Q: How do I make sure I’m catching signs of hail damage in time?
A: The best way to stay ahead of hail damaged shingles is to visually inspect your roof after a hailstorm. You don’t need to climb up yourself — taking a careful look is usually enough to spot any serious hail damage that could weaken your roofing system.
Q: How do I know if I just need to replace shingles or have more serious damage?
A: Fully identifying the scope of roofing damage requires professional experience. As a homeowner, your best bet is to request a free estimate when you suspect that you have hail damage. As part of the estimate process, a roofing professional will inspect your roof and create a plan to address as much (or as little) damage as your roof has sustained.
Q: Can I DIY a simple shingle roof repair?
A: Even if your roof has minimal damage, it’s not a good idea to DIY roof repairs. Even if you’re completely confident in your skills, you run the risk of invalidating your warranties. This way, you could leave your roof unprotected from other, larger threats.
Q: How much does it cost to repair hail damaged shingles?
A: Replacing hail damaged shingles is fairly cheap — usually, you’ll only pay $300 to $500 to replace a few damaged shingles. However, if water has entered your roofing system, there is no telling how much it could cost to repair without looking at your roof. You could be looking at repairs around $1,000, or you could need a partial roof replacement, which will cost considerably more.
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
