Major storms can mean major damage, especially to your roof and siding. High winds and hail can do a number on your home’s exterior, which often gets lost as you focus on cleaning up the damage from trees, shrubs and other detritus that was swept into your yard.

Anytime your home experiences a big storm, it’s important to inspect your roof and siding for hail damage in Calgary. The faster you spot the problem, the easier, faster and cheaper it will be to solve—and you definitely want to make sure you take care of it before the next big storm, or the damage will only get worse. When water finds its way into your home, you can end up with mold, mildew, rot and other structural damage.

Here’s how to spot hail damage on your home’s exterior.

Hail damage to your siding

• Denting: If you have aluminum siding, check it for dents—even if your roof was left unscathed. Sometimes it’s difficult to see dents and dimples in the siding, so we suggest taking a high-powered flashlight with you to do your inspection. You should also run your hands over the siding to find invisible dents or gaps.
• Buckling and warping: Hail causes buckling and warping in vinyl siding, which opens the door for moisture intrusion. You’ll need to get those sections of siding repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
• Oxidation: Oxidation happens when aluminum siding is near the end of its useful lifespan. It leaves a chalky residue when you run your hand over the exterior.

Hail damage on the roof

• Missing or cracked shingles: This is the most obvious sign of roof damage—if you see missing and cracked shingles on your roof, no matter what kind you have, you need to get those replaced before the next big storm rolls in.
• Dents in the flashing and vents: While you’re up on the roof, don’t stop at the shingles. Look carefully at the flashing and vents. Are there dents or dimples there? What about when you run your hands over them? That’s a sign that a replacement is needed.
• Dimples in the shingles and ridge cap: Depending on the type of shingles you have, they might also show dents or dimples. Your ridge cap may also show signs of wear and tear—if it does, have that replaced right away. It performs an important role in keeping water out of your home.
• Black substrate in the shingles: When you notice black substrate showing through the shingles, that means the layer of protective coating on the shingles was taken off during the storm. To protect your home, these shingles will need to be replaced.

As with any home repair, quickly addressing any roof and siding damage in Calgary will help protect your home from water intrusion and unwanted heat transfer. Rhino Exteriors is here to help—we install, maintain and repair roofing and siding throughout the Calgary area. Call us today to get started with a consultation.