Throughout most parts of the United States, including North Carolina and South Carolina, hail storms are a viable possibility. As a matter of fact, very few homeowners will go through life without experiencing hail damage at least a few times. Whether you have recently experienced hail damage to your siding or you simply want to be prepared for what to do next time it happens, this guide will help you. The following paragraphs contain some great tips that will make it as easy as possible for you to get your siding fixed fast.
How will I know there is hail damage?
This is a great question, particularly because siding hail damage isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Many people are most accustomed to looking for hail damage on their cars, in which case dents are typically easy to see. Popular vinyl siding, however, doesn’t usually sustain dents. It is much more likely to crack, particularly if it is at least a few years old and the hailstones hitting it are at least 1 ¼” in diameter. Wood and metal siding, on the other hand, do typically have dents if they are hit by hail. The paint on wood siding boards will also start cracking most of the time.
Regardless of what sort of siding you currently have on your home, the very best way to know if there is hail damage is to hire a professional inspector to assess the situation. These experts will be able to tell if damage has occurred, even if you can’t see any issues yourself. Sometimes, reputable inspectors and contractors quickly book-up following a hail storm, so you may have to be patient. You can also opt to wait for your insurance company to send an adjuster to look at the situation, which you will learn more about below.
What steps should I take right away?
Immediately following a hail storm in your area of North Carolina or South Carolina, there are a few things you should do. The first is to take a look at your home’s siding on your own. If you see noticeable damage, take photographs you can send to your insurance company; the more proof of damage you have, the better off you will be in regard to your claim! Next, if you are going to hire an inspector to examine your house, you should do so as quickly as possible. If, however, you find that it will take longer than you’d like to have an expert come to your property, you can opt to file your insurance claim right away instead.
Generally, homeowner’s insurance companies send adjusters to the sites of all claims. Your report of hail damage should not be an exception. If the adjuster spots problems with your siding, he or she will make a note of the affected areas and take pictures that will be attached to your claim. It is important for you to stay on top of the status of your siding hail damage claim, as there may be certain stipulations, such as which contractors you can ultimately have fix the damage. Make sure you contact your insurance agent if you have any questions regarding your policy.
The team at Hatch Homes has been siding houses for North Carolina and South Carolina families for years. We would love to be given the opportunity to work with you if you are dealing with hail damage. Our crew is skilled at installing a wide variety of siding types, including up-and-coming fiber cement boards. Simply give us a call to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.