You only have to live in Yukon for a while to know that hail damage is not a question of if, but when. Western Oklahoma experiences its share of severe thunderstorms, and Yukon is no exception; we frequently experience storms that bring heavy rain, damaging winds, and large hail. The reality is that most homeowners don’t appreciate how hard it can be to see that kind of damage from the ground. You could stand in your driveway and think your roof is in good shape when, in fact, it has sustained significant damage.
Yukon Hail Damage FAQs
Here are some of the questions we hear from Yukon property owners in the wake of a hailstorm.
Q: Why does Yukon seem to get hit by hail so often?
A: We are located in one of the country’s more active hail zones. Many of the spring and early summer storms will form west of OKC and move right through Canadian County. Hail is so common here that a good number of roof replacements are the result of an insurance claim rather than normal roof aging.
Q: My neighbor is filing a hail claim. Should I have my roof inspected too?
A: You should. Damage can vary significantly from one house to the next. Even on the same block, the wind direction or your roof’s orientation may have affected you differently.
Q: How can I tell if my roof has hail damage?
A: Look for missing granules, dark marks where the hail has struck, shingles that are bruised or cracked, dented vents or gutters, and any damage to the flashing. That said, a lot of it is difficult to identify without a close inspection.
Q: Can hail damage a roof without causing leaks?
A: Yes, in fact it is common. Hail can compromise the shingles’ ability to shed water well before you see a leak in the house. Some of our customers won’t even know they have hail damage until months later.
Q: How large does hail need to be before it causes roof damage?
A: It is hard to put an exact number on it since the age of the roof, and the wind speed comes into play. But once hail reaches about an inch in diameter, the likelihood of damage increases considerably.
Q: If I don’t see damage from the ground, does that mean my roof is fine?
A: Don’t count on it. You would be surprised what you can miss from a distance. Adjusters will often inspect a test area or perform a close-up inspection because it is not easy to spot.
Q: How soon should I schedule a roof inspection after a hailstorm?
A: As soon as it is safe to do so. An early look will help us document things before the elements make it hard to say when the damage happened.
Q: What parts of my home can be damaged by hail besides the roof?
A: You will often see it on the siding, garage doors, window screens, and AC units, as well as the gutters and downspouts. We generally advise a full exterior check after a severe hailstorm.
Q: Does homeowners insurance typically cover hail damage?
A: Most will, though you have to read the fine print on deductibles and exclusions. Many policies have separate deductibles for wind and hail.