Wood shake roofs are among the most popular steep-slope roof types in Florida. Unfortunately, this area can also be prone to hailstorms. Can hail damage wooden shingles? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. How do you determine the extent of hail damage to wood shake or shingles and what can you do about it?
How to Inspect a Wooden Roof for Hail Damage
For those trying to determine the impact of hail damage, roof inspections are necessary. You want to find out if any shingles are damaged and if you can replace them or if the problems are so extensive you need a new roof.
A wooden shingle is hail-damaged if there is a split or puncture in the wood that is clearly the result of a hailstone impact. You will see a clear impact mark following a hailstorm. You will also note a bright, unoxidized color running along the split, or in the case of a puncture, an unweathered layer of wood that is underneath the top layer.
If you see a hail mark on a shingle but the wood is only dented or gouged rather than punctured or split, your shingle has survived the hailstorm and does not need to be repaired or replaced. As long as the shake surface is intact, it will retain its moisture-resistant properties and its ability to protect your home. If you do have a puncture or split, you will need to replace the shingle.
What to Do if Your Roof Is Damaged From Hail
If you do discover hail damage on your roof, you need to determine how much there is. If only a handful of shingles or shakes are split or punctured, you can probably get away with simply replacing the damaged ones. A local contractor you trust should be able to handle this job for you fairly easily.
If more than a few are damaged, you will have to do an assessment comparing the cost of replacing all the ruined shingles to the cost of redoing the entire roof. If the prices are close, you will probably want to start fresh with a new roof.
Can Snow Harm a Wood Shake Shingle Roof?
Hail is clearly a problem to consider, but what about the effect of snow on wooden shingles? Regular snow should not be a problem for your roof. However, if you do not have an effective drainage system that allows the snow to melt, slide down your roof and flow to the ground through your gutters, it may build up, freeze and become ice, which could put stress on your roof. Make sure your gutters are clean and snow does not appear to be building up on your roof to be safe.
What if I Need to Replace a Hail-Damaged Roof?
If it is time to replace your wood shake roof due to hail damage or any other reason in Florida, call Custom Shingles. We have over 40 years of experience covering homes with a variety of beautiful decorative wood shingles. We can help with design and installation to make sure you get exactly the wood roof look you want. For a great-looking cedar roof, call us today at 877-323-3553.