Asphalt roofing shingles have historically demonstrated excellent performance in a variety of weather conditions: rain, sun, ice, snow, and sleet. Hailstorms, however, may produce hail of sufficient size to cause visible damage to the shingles. Concerned homeowners and insurance adjusters are left with numerous questions about hail and how it may have affected the roof performance and/or shingle manufacturer’s limited warranty. Limited asphalt shingle warranties generally exclude damage to shingles due to hail (check with the specific manufacturer for details).
Some manufacturers offer shingles which have been tested for impact resistance and are promoted as more impact resistant than regular shingles. In areas with frequent hail, homeowners should seriously consider these products, given they may be entitled to significant insurance cost reductions.
Hail damage can be divided into two categories: aesthetic and functional.
By far the most common type of damage caused by hail: they are manifested by a small detachment of granules in small, localized areas. This type of damage generally has little impact on the expected life of the roof.
Functional damage is where there is sufficient damage to the shingles to either cause a short-term leak or to reduce the life of the roof. This type of damage is recognized by a significant granule loss (easily visible from the ground, large areas of asphalt becoming exposed), or shingle fracture/penetration which can be seen by fractures through the back of the shingle. Generally, shingle replacement is only required in severe cases of damage. Remember that asphalt shingle applications provide at least two layers of shingle material over the entire roof.
There are many factors which affect the ability of the roof to withstand hail impact:
Large heavy stones will cause more severe damage.
Newer shingles are more resistant than older shingles, as the asphalt is less brittle and better able to absorb the impact energy.
Hail which strikes the roof at a 90° angle is more likely to cause shingle fractures, while hail that strikes the roof obliquely is more likely to result in spots of granule loss.
Colder temperature will be more likely to cause fractures than in warmer weather.
Solid roof decks on moderately spaced trusses offer better support to the shingle surface in resisting hail damage. Shingles on rotted or flimsy decking can be more easily fractured.
The information contained in this bulletin is for general education and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified contractor or direction on usage/installation from the manufacturer. Consumers should be aware of the safety hazards associated with work on roofs and, before doing so themselves, should consider following CASMA s advice of using qualified contractors. This bulletin may be reproduced with permission on condition that it be reproduced in whole, unedited, with attribution of copyright to CASMA.
CANADIAN ASPHALT SHINGLE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (CASMA) is a corporation which was created on July 24, 1989 pursuant to the Canadian Corporation Act and continued under section 211 of the Canadian "not-for-profit" Corporation Act on October 12, 2012.
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