Did A Hail Storm Leave Your Gutters In Shambles?

Key Takeaways:

1. Homeowners need to be aware of the possibility of gutter damage after a severe storm, as this type of claim represents 29% of all homeowners’ insurance claims.
2. Suppose your home has experienced gutter hail damage. In that case, there are some signs you can watch out for, including decreased water drainage, leaks, missing gutters, debris in gutters, and signs of damage from above.
3. The best way to get your hail damage repaired is to call your insurance company and then notify a roofing company or professional gutter company.
4. Most of the time, when a gutter is damaged, it needs to be entirely replaced – which your insurance should cover.

Homeowners know that caring for their homes is a never-ending task. And in the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny, there’s always something to be done outside. But what about when severe weather hits? Recently, many parts of the country were hit with a hail storm, and if your home was one of them, your gutters are probably in shambles. So, what do you do next?

Well, in case you haven’t noticed, most houses have gutters attached. Gutters are important: they funnel rainwater away from the house, so it doesn’t cause any damage. In fact, water damage is among the most common types of homeowners insurance claims! According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately one homeowner in 50 files water damage or freezing claims annually. This type of claim represents 29% of all homeowners’ insurance claims. That’s why taking care of your gutters is important, especially after a bad storm like a hail storm. If your gutters are damaged, here are some things suggested by iRoofers of America that you can do next.

What Is Gutter Hail Damage?

Well – imagine baseball size hail hitting your home’s roof gutters and downspouts hard. The impact will definitely cause a dent that damages your home’s exterior. Hail storms can also create small tears in the gutter material, leaving it susceptible to rust and water damage. You might not be able to see these damages from the ground, but if left unrepaired, they can lead to costly home repairs down the line.

How Do I Know If My Home’s Roof Gutters Are Damaged?

The simple solution is to get up there and take a look. But if that isn’t an option for you, there are some signs you can watch out for:

1. A Significant Decrease in The Home’s Water Drainage System:

Yes, this is the first and most important sign of gutter damage due to hail storms. If you notice that your home’s drainage system isn’t working optimally, it could be a sign of damaged gutters.

2. Evidence Of Leaks:

Leaks are sure signs that something has gone wrong with your home’s roof gutters. If you see any leaks near the foundation or on the walls, it may signal that some damage has been done to your home’s roofing system.

3. Missing Gutters:

If you look up at your home’s roof and notice that some sections are missing, this could mean that either they were taken off during a storm or blown away by the high winds of the hail storm. Replacing these sections is important to avoid future issues with your home’s drainage system.

4. Debris In Gutters:

If you notice a lot of debris stuck in your home’s gutters, this may indicate that something isn’t working correctly. Clogged-up gutters can lead to water pooling on the roof, so it’s important to clear them out as soon as possible.

5. Signs Of Damage from Above:

Finally, suppose you look at your home from above and see signs of damage (such as dents or holes). This could signal that your home’s gutters experienced extensive damage due to the hail storm.

Gutter Hail Damage: What to do After?

All right, so you’ve taken a look around your home and noticed some signs that hail has caused damage to your home’s gutters. What do you do next?

1. Call Your Insurance Company

When your roof has experienced damage, the first step is to call your insurance company. They will send someone to survey the destruction and offer you coverage based on your policy. Only after that should you start researching gutter companies or roofing contractors.

Although it may seem trivial, your gutters are essential to your home. The claims adjuster should consider this and investigate the entire system – not just the gutters themselves but also downspouts, spout extensions, and gutter covers (if applicable).

2. Call in Professionals

Here is the best way to get your hail damage repaired in order:

1. Phone your insurance company
2. Notify a roofing company
3. Get in touch with a professional gutter company

When you go to file an insurance claim for hail damage, your home insurance provider will cover the repair of your roof and gutters– even if you use separate contractors. While some roofing companies also offer gutter installation services, hiring a specialist is often best because they’ll have higher-quality materials and tools. Poorly installed gutters can lead to more problems down the line, so you must get them fixed properly the first time around.

Before hiring a gutter company, verify that they have a good Better Business Bureau rating and positive reviews from credible places. Unfortunately, after severe storms, people often try to scam homeowners by going door to door. To protect yourself, thoroughly research a company before allowing them to work on your home!

3. Gutter Repair and Replacement

Finally, you will have your gutter system replaced! Most of the time, when a gutter is damaged, it needs to be entirely swapped out for a new one. Unlike cars, dents in gutters cannot simply be popped back out. A phenomenal gutter company should offer an array of colors from steel to aluminum so customers can find what they want.

Also, read: Common Residential Roofing Myths – 7 Busted For Your Reassurance!

Oh, and remember that if the color you are trying to match is no longer available, your insurance company may be obligated to replace the entire system. It will happen regardless if some parts and pieces have no damage.

Last Thoughts

Well, that’s about it! If your home was damaged by hail and your gutters were affected, follow this guide to get the coverage you deserve and return to enjoying your home again. Hail storms can be a huge inconvenience, but you can repair and replace your gutter system without breaking the bank with the right approach.

Hopefully, this blog has given you some helpful insight regarding dealing with home roof gutter damage caused by hail storms. Preventative maintenance is key in protecting your home from further damage. But if a hailstorm does hit, carefully reviewing any damage done and assessing what steps to take next will help ensure that you get your home back on track as soon as possible. Stay safe out there.

Here’s How iRoofers of America Can Help You!

iRoofers of America offers you the best quality seamless gutters for your home in Fort Worth. You can pick different colors and styles to match your house, as well as a variety of gutter guards and downspouts to customize further and protect your investment. Our skilled team will expertly install your selected parts and ensure water is redirected away from dangerous areas.

If you’re tired of dealing with water damage from faulty gutters, our seamless gutters from iRoofers can help. Learn more about our solutions and schedule a free inspection today.