How can you tell the difference between hail damage and blisters?
Hail damage and roof blisters are two common roofing issues that can cause significant damage to homes. Both hail damage and roof blisters can cause a great deal of structural damage to the roof, so homeowners need to understand the differences between these two problems in order to properly diagnose and repair them.
What is Hail Damage?
Hail damage occurs when hailstones hit your roof, causing small dents in the shingles or even puncturing through them. The size of the hailstone will determine how much damage it causes—larger hailstones can cause more extensive dents or even holes in the shingles. In some cases, hail may also detach granules from asphalt shingles, which further weakens their protective layer. When left untreated, hail damage can lead to leaks or other problems.
What are Roof Blisters?
Roof blisters are bubbles that form on the surface of an asphalt shingle due to moisture trapped underneath it. These moisture bubbles occur when excess water becomes trapped between two layers of asphalt shingle and then expands as it evaporates. This expansion creates pressure on the upper part of the shingle, eventually creating a bubble that lifts off from one side at a time due to the weight of the trapped moisture. As this bubble gets bigger, it damages any adhesives holding down the top layer of asphalt and then begins to peel back from one side, allowing more wetness into this area and potentially leading to additional blistering nearby.
Differences Between Hail Damage and Roof Blisters
Causes: Hail damage is caused by hailstones hitting your roof while roof blisters are caused by moisture being trapped between two layers of an asphalt shingle.
Appearance: Hail damage will be visible as small dents in your shingles or even holes punched through them. In addition to physical damage, hail impact can also cause wear and tear on your roof over time if left unaddressed. Smaller hailstones may not cause visible damage immediately but instead accumulate over periods of years until you begin noticing discoloration or other signs of aging. Discolored areas on your roof may indicate that you have had an accumulation of minor hail impacts that have damaged the roofing material and caused it to become porous over time.
While roof blisters appear as bubbles on the surface of an asphalt shingle due to moisture becoming trapped underneath it. Not only do these blisters look unsightly, but they can also weaken a roof’s structural integrity and even lead to leaks. This is because water or other liquids that accumulate in the blister may seep through to the inside of a home, causing damage to walls, furniture, and floors. In extreme cases, blisters can even puncture a roof’s membrane entirely, leading to major repair costs and potential health hazards due to mold or mildew growth.
Risk: Hail often carries enough force with it that can penetrate through material such as wood shakes or slate tiles while roof blisters only threaten roofs made with asphalt singles since they rely on a buildup of pressure from trapped moisture underneath them before peeling off from one side at a time.
It’s important for homeowners to be able to recognize hail damage and blistered roofs so they can take appropriate measures for repair in order to prevent future leaks or structural issues resulting from either type of problem. If you suspect your home has been impacted by either issue, contact a local contractor right away who is experienced in dealing with roofs damaged by both hail storms or trapped moisture in order to prevent any further deterioration or costly repairs down the road!
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