How Hail Can Damage Your Roof

Roof shingles with large hailstones after hail storm

Living in Connecticut, we are all too familiar with the dangers of hail. Those little balls of ice can wreak havoc on your property, and your roof is no exception. In fact, hail damage is becoming one of the most common types of roof damage we see here. So, how does hail impact your roof, and what can you do to prevent it? Read on to find out.

How Does Hail Damage Your Roof?

Hail damage occurs when hailstones hit your roof and break or chip the surface of your shingles. Over time, this can lead to leaks and other serious problems. Hail damage is often mistaken for wear and tear or different types of breaks, so it’s important to have a professional inspect your roof after a hail storm to ensure that any damage is properly repaired. 

How Can You Prevent Hail Damage?

There are a few things you can do to prevent hail damage to your roof:

  1. Ensure that your gutters are clear of debris so they can properly drain water away from your roof.
  2. Have a professional inspect your roof regularly to ensure it is in good repair; this will help prevent small troubles from becoming big ones.
  3. Consider installing impact-resistant shingles; these are designed to withstand the collision of hailstones better than traditional shingles, which can help reduce the damage that hail can do to your roof. 

Staying Safe

Hailstorms are no joke here in Connecticut, and they can do some serious damage to your property — including your roof. If you suspect that your roof has been broken by hail, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible. Stay safe out there!

Roofing Repair Experts of Norwalk

Our team of experienced and professional roofing contractors looks forward to serving Connecticut residents’ roofing needs. We can thoroughly examine the roof, identify the underlying problem, and make the needed corrections. Homeowners who notice any preceding concerns are urged to contact us as soon as possible.

Re-Roofing vs Roof Replacement, Which is Right For You?

Bumpy roof

Many homeowners will be faced with whether to re-roof or replace their roof when there is an issue. As one of the most important parts of your home, there are many factors to consider when deciding which project would be best for you and your situation. The cost, the time it takes, and even the quality of materials can be major factors in this decision. We have a full breakdown of what’s best for you!

Re-Roofing Explained

When you are looking for a way to restore your roof in a cost-effective way quickly, re-roofing is often the best route to choose. Re-roofing means that only the shingles are replaced, not the underlying plywood. During the process, a new shingle overlay is placed over the old ones, helping to restore the look and provide extra protection. However, you can only be a candidate for re-roofing if your home only has one layer of shingles on its roof. 

Roof Replacement Explained

Your old shingles will be taken off and replaced by brand new ones for a roof replacement. Provided the deck underneath is not damaged and good to go, your new shingles will be placed on top of the underlayment or felt paper — all while keeping the elements and weather resistance in mind. If your roof has more than one layer of shingles, this will most likely be your best option. 

Pros and Cons

Still unsure of which option is best for you? We’ll break it down even further: 

Pros of re-roofing: 

  • Re-roofing is a less expensive option than replacing the entire roof.
  • It also has the added benefit of keeping more of your original material in place.
  • Typically done faster. 

Cons of re-roofing: 

  • If you have more than one layer of shingles, you cannot choose this option. 
  • It is not recommended for metal roofing. 
  • Any major underlying issues might not get fixed since you are just placing new shingles over the existing material rather than stripping it completely. 

Pros of roof replacements: 

  • It lasts longer since you are completely replacing the roof. 
  • No matter how many layers of shingles you have, it can be done. 
  • Addresses all potential problems for your roof, such as rot or leaks. 

Cons of roof replacements:

  • It tends to lean more on the expensive side. 
  • It can be a long project, as extra time, materials, and labor is needed. 
  • It is more of a seasonal project because of the length of time to complete. 

And for whichever option you choose, JM Roofing and Siding is here to help! 

Need a New Roof This Year? Contact JM Roofing and Siding

At JM Roofing and Siding, we can service a wide variety of roof types, including all types of shingles, cedar shake roofs, flat roofs and copper roofs. We rely on premium products from respected brands like GAF and CertainTeed. Contact us or request a free estimate on our website. 

Hail Damage on Your Roof

Hail on roof on home

Every time it starts to hail, homeowners wonder if their roof will be in one piece when the storm is over. If you’re lucky enough that your shingles didn’t get hit with any major damage, then you might not have to worry about fixing anything on your roof for a while. But what if they did? Well, there’s no need to panic.

Here are some of the ways hail can damage your roof and how a professional can help you protect your home in the event of an emergency. 

Shingle Damage

The severity of the damage to your shingles depends on how large the hailstones are. If they’re too small, it will only leave superficial scratches that won’t go through the shingle layer and reach the underlayment. However, if they’re larger than 2 inches, there’s a good chance it will crack your shingles and loosen or tear them off completely.

Leaks and Water Damage

Since hail has been known to crack shingles and loosen or tear off shingles completely, this leaves your roof vulnerable to more hail or other weather conditions in the future. The results? Water leaks and even worse situations could occur for you down the line! You want to avoid water damage, from mold growth to rotten wood, at all costs. 

Other Kinds of Damage

Hail can cause all sorts of damage to your roof. It’s more than just surface-level scratching and denting; hail can also rip shingles off completely, strip away insulation, and break windows if they’re close enough to the point of impact. Hail causes tens of billions in property damage every year. 

That’s why our team at JM Roofing and Siding is here for any and all roofing emergencies and installation needs. We’re here to ensure your home is protected and ready for strong weather patterns every season. 

Roofing Replacement in Norwalk, CT

When you need your roofing system replaced so it is safe for your family, you need to hire the best contractor possible. The JM Roofing and Siding experts are licensed and insured to serve you in Norwalk, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate!

How Frozen Gutters Can Lead to Roof Leaks

Ice forming on the gutters from freezing rain

The winter months are almost here, which means freezing temperatures are just around the corner. And with freezing temperatures comes frozen gutters. There are many leaking issues this can cause, ones that you’ll need to keep in mind during coldest days. Here are some problems that will lead to leaks and what you can do to prevent this. 

Ice Dams

Frozen gutters are dangerous because they cause ice dams on the roof. This causes water to leak through your ceiling and get trapped under insulation. The ice will also form on top of your insulation, which can make it sag or crumble away completely.

Broken Gutters

The water that sits in the gutter, slowly freezing over time, expands as it freezes, which causes cracks in the metal. This creates small holes on the underside of your roof, which allows ice and snow to build up. Eventually, this will become heavy enough to break through the surface of your roof!

Melting Snow

The process of freezing and thawing can cause major issues for your roof. The constant freezing and thawing causes water to seep into the cracks of your roof, which can lead to leaks. The problem is that once the ice melts, it often leaves behind some debris that can block gutters or cause them to overflow when the rain begins again. This overflow then leads to more water damage on the ground around your home’s foundation, not just on the roof itself.

Roofing Replacement in Norwalk, CT

When you need your roofing system replaced so it is safe for your family, you need to hire the best contractor possible. The JM Roofing and Siding experts are licensed and insured to serve you in Norwalk, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate!