How can you tell when your roof has been affected by hail damage? There are a few easy ways to tell without getting up on your roof.

• The first thing to look for is hail damage to your downspouts and gutters. When an insurance adjuster comes out to take a look at your roof, they will first check out your downspouts to see if they are damaged. The metal used to make gutters and downspouts are very soft compared to the other components of your exterior and will show the most damage.

• The next thing to look at are any screens and metal trims on your windows. These metals are fairly soft and will also show dents if hail has struck your property. You can get a good idea about what the adjuster will see on your rooftop is you see damage on your window trims.

• The final thing to look for is damage to any vehicles that were outside. If you parked a car in your driveway and it was there during a hail storm, you will have dents on the vehicle if the hail was large enough to damage your roof.

There is an important fact to remember when thinking about hail damage to your roof. Your roof is covered in a strong material meant to last for years. Most roofing systems are designed to handle expansion and contraction and normal weathering for years. It takes a large hail ball to cause damage to your roof. A hail ball larger than 1 1/2 inches is where we start to see significant damage.

If you notice damage to your roof, give Varner Roofing a call. We will walk you through the entire process of getting your roof replaced after a significant hail event. The first thing we will do is to get on your roof and to make sure you have hail damage. Once we confirm you do have damage, your insurance agent will be happy to put a claim in for you.