How Can I Tell If My Shingles Have Sustained Hail Damage?

Hail is crazy stuff, but what is it?  

Hail actually forms when thunderstorm updrafts are strong enough to carry water droplets, dust particles, or other small particulates well above the freezing level.  These particles/water droplets are carried high into the cloud where they accumulate layers of ice depending on their speed through the cloud as well as the moisture conditions in the cloud. Further, the hailstone actually is warmer on the outside so it is somewhat "sticky" which allows other hailstones to collide and join with it.  Sometimes it's a wild ride and hailstones sometimes keep getting even bigger and bigger until we see some devastating hail storms.  That's also why most large hailstones are not round.

Additionally, hailstones can vary in size during the same storm.  Often hailstones at the beginning and end of the storm are different sizes than the hailstones during the storm.

Hail size is often compared to common objects.  Hail in the quarter-size (1 inch) and larger are much easier to assess as far as damage caused.  However, even the pea-sized hail can cause roof damage.  This is dependent on several variables.  The sizes are as follows:

• pea  = 1/4-inch in diameter;
• marble = 1/2-inch in diameter;
• dime or penny = 3/4-inch in diameter (hail the size of a penny or larger is considered severe);
• nickel = 7/8-inch;
• quarter = 1 inch;
• golf Ball = 1½  inches;
• tennis Ball = 2½ inches;
• baseball = 2¾ inches;
• tea cup = 3 inches; and 
• grapefruit = 4 inches.

Table 1 shows the size of a hailstone typically required to damage various types of roof-covering materials.  

This is a general guide only, since there are a number of factors that determine how damaging the hail will be.

TABLE 1

Material	Hail Size	Damage Size
3-tab organic shingles	1 inch	1 inch
3-tab fiberglass shingles	1¼ inches	1¼ inches
cedar shingles	1¼ inches	1¼ inches
fiber-cement tiles	1¼ inches	1¼ inches
flat concrete tiles	1¼ inches	1¼ inches
heavy cedar shakes	1½ inches	1½ inch
30-year laminated shingles	1½ inches	1½ inches
built-up gravel roofing	2 inches	2 inches
S-shaped concrete tiles	2 inches	2 inches

Organic 3-tab shingles are the most fragile shingles and can sometimes be damaged by hail as small as 1 inch in diameter.

Three-tab fiberglass, cedar shingles, fiber cement, and flat concrete tiles may show damage when hail reaches about 1¼-inch in diameter.

Heavy wood shakes and thicker fiberglass shingles typically show damage when hail reaches about 1½-inch.

Concrete S-tiles show damage when hail reaches about 2 inches.

It can be difficult to tell the size of a hailstone by the damage it leaves.

Additionally, damage left by hailstones of the same size can vary, depending on the hailstones’ density, their angle of impact, the properties of the material they hit, as well as wind velocity and other factors. 

How Can I Tell If My Shingles Have Sustained Damage?

If you look at the pictures of the shingles at the left, it is quite obvious that the top shingle is missing granules.  It has sustained obvious damage and its integrity compromised.  Once granules are gone, the tile is susceptible to corrosion from the sun as well as making it more permeable to water leakage.  

It actually takes quite a bit to knock granules off a roof tile.

The size of this damage would indicate a large hailstone with a powerful impact.

Not all hail damage is as easy to spot, but can be just as damaging.  The photo to the left again shows hail damage.  Although the area with missing granules is smaller, it still compromises the integrity of the roof.  There is still the potential that the roof could develop a leak. 

Many times it is really difficult to spot this.  However, Lowry Roofing Co professionals are trained to spot this kind of damage.

As a general rule, most insurance companies want to see 8 or more hits on the roof within a 10ft x 10ft square on at least 3 sides of the roof in order to consider replacing your roof.

Lowry Roofing Co can assess the damage to your roof and determine if your roof qualifies for replacement.  They will mark the areas and do a thorough assessment.  They will then go over their findings with you.

So, what do I do If I think I have hail damage?

If you’re a homeowner and think you may have hail damage, the first thing you should do is call Lowry Roofing Co for a free roof inspection.

If the inspection shows you have damage, your next step would be to file an insurance claim with your homeowner's insurance company.  Insurance coverage depends on your policy and the professionalism of your roofing inspector.  A roofing professional can determine whether the damage is functional or cosmetic in nature which will largely determine whether or not your insurance will pay for a new roof.

As a side note:  Be sure to have a professional like Lowry Roofing Co do a free inspection of your roof even if the insurance company has sent someone out to assess it.  The insurance company adjustor will be looking after the interests of the insurance company and you can be assured that with an inspection by Lowry Roofing Co your interests will also be represented.

Hail Roof Damage? - Other Indicators

Texas keeps getting hit, hard!  For the past three years, Texas has been leading the nation for wind/hail damage - by quite a margin!  In 2016, Texas saw its costliest hail storm and, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the number of hail storms continues to rise.

The hail storms of April 10 - 12, 2016, were the costliest not only in Texas history, but in U.S. history.  They dropped up to grapefruit-sized hail and caused a combined damage total of 3.5 billion dollars!  It was really easy to see the damage caused by those storms!

Thank heavens not all hail storms are like those!  However, even hail that is much, much smaller can also cause roof damage.  It's not always easy to see that damage, especially from the ground.

Even though you are not going to be able to tell if your roof is damaged from the ground, there are things you can look for that may give you an idea of whether or not you are going to need a roof repair or if you will need to replace the whole roof.

1) One of the first things you may notice will be your deck or fence posts.  Decks and fence posts may show fresh wood scrapes from hail impact, dents, or splintered wood. Vinyl fencing may have holes or cracks. Fencing may be covered by insurance.




2)  Additionally, you may notice damaged mailboxes or dents in air conditioners. Plastic mailboxes may have holes or cracks while metal mailboxes may show small dents. Be sure to check the shed, patio cover, porch, and anything else that the insurance may cover. They will also show damage.


3) Check the home’s siding and windowsills/casings for dents, dings or other signs of impact. If there’s significant damage to the roof, there will most likely be damage to these items as well.  Sometimes you need to look closely to see the damage.  Other times it's easily apparent.  The more apparent it is, the more likely you have significant damage to your roof.

4) Look for dented gutters, gutter screens, or downspouts.  Generally, they will also receive damage if your roof has sustained damage, not always, but generally.  Even small dents indicate damage.

These are just some of the other indicators that your roof has sustained damage to the extent it may need to be replaced.  While most of the pictures show extreme damage, again, even small impacts can be enough to ruin the integrity of your roof and may indicate the need for replacement.  If you have seen any of these signs of hail damage, it's a good idea to call Lowry Roofing Co for a free inspection/estimate and have them assess the integrity of your roof.  Be sure it's in good solid condition before the next onslaught of Texas storms!

Oh, Hail, No!

That's pretty much what us Southerners think when the wind becomes violent, the sky dark, and the black clouds explode with pellets of hail the size of dimes, quarters, golf balls, or worse!

Hail can be hard on your roof and vinyl siding no matter how small it is.  However, once you get to the quarter-sized hail (1"), you often get significant damage to your roof and vinyl siding.  The impact of the hail can knock the granules off the asphalt as well as put pock marks, tears, or holes in your shingles and about everything else.  Other types of roofs can sustain significant damage, too.  Even heavy cedar shingles can be split in two or become dented which can warp the wood and allow water to get under the shingles.  Edges of shingles can be broken off or begin to curl.  Additionally, the wind often blows shingles off.  Definitely not something you want.

Quarter-sized hail

Picture - thanks to Scott Carnegie

Other hail damage is usually dents or breaks in flashing, rain gutters, and any metal or plastic  attachments to the roof.  Besides dented rain gutters, there can be tears or deformation in the metal or plastic leaf guards and screens on gutters.  These are just some of the roof damage that hail can cause.

If your roof has recently been hit by a heavy storm or hail storm, or if it's been two or three years since you've had it inspected, it's a good idea to call a roofing expert to assess your roof.  Lowry Roofing Co can let you know the integrity of your roof.  They can go over their findings with you and let you know if it would be a good idea to repair areas or replace your roof and let you determine the way you would like to proceed.

Further, Lowry Roofing Co is great working with insurance companies so that you get the coverage you've paid for.  

Give us a call today at 972-800-4574 for a free inspection/estimate!

Holy FREEZE-oly!

Holy FREEZE-oly!!!  

Okay, maybe there are worse things than an occasional severe wind/tornado, hail, or rain storm . . . Maybe.

Be sure your roof is up to whatever Mother Nature throws at it!

Lowry Roofing Co

Free inspection/estimates

972-800-4574

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Roof Shingles

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Roof Shingles

(Credit to WikiHow - How to Choose the Color of Roofing Shingles)

The roof is an important element in the overall appearance  of your home. Knowing how to choose the color of roofing shingles will help ensure that you make a choice that will suit your home's appearance as well as work in the climate where you live. Hopefully, your roof will last a long time so you don't want to be stuck with the wrong color. It can also depend upon the architectural style of your home and upon many other factors ranging from energy efficiency to keeping your next door neighbor happy.

1.  Consider your climate. The color of your shingles will help keep energy bills from skyrocketing.

• Your roof color can affect the temperature in your attic by 20 to 40 degrees and make a real difference in heating or cooling your home.
• White or light shingles reflect sunlight and help keep the temperature of your home down.
• Dark shingles absorb heat and will help homes in colder climates stay warm. They also help melt snow and ice from your roof.

2.  Attempt to coordinate the color of your roof shingles with the colors of other elements of your home such as bricks, wooden siding, stone or stucco.

• Dark gray or black work well with a gray or blue house.
• Use a brown or mix of cream and brown roofing shingles if you have a brown, cream or tan colored house.
• Use dark gray or black on a white house. It will give your house a traditional look.
• Green, red or yellow-painted homes give you more flexibility in choice with shingle color. You can use brown, gray or black.

3.  Think about what statement you want your home to make. Curb appeal adds to the value of your home.

• Neutral colors are safe and will stay in style for many years. They help ensure a good resale value. Tans, creams, brown, blacks, grays and clays are among colors which can be considered neutral.
• If you want to be trendier, think about using color combinations such as a palate of various tones of brown or a mixture of blues, blacks and grays. Be sure to consult with a roofing expert to get a professional looking roof.
•  High-contrast colors highlight features of your home while low-contrast colors tend to hide defects.

4.  Create the right illusion. Dark colors tend to make homes look smaller while lighter colors do the reverse.

5.  Remember your neighbors when you get ready to put on a new roof.

• Check with your neighborhood association, if you have one, to make sure your choice of roofing color does not violate any neighborhood rules or covenants.
• Even if you don't have set rules to follow, think about how your roof will look alongside your neighbor's house. Try not to duplicate their roof unless that is the norm in your neighborhood. On the other hand, try not to make it clash. 
• Be sure the end result is harmonious.

6.  Shop with care. Take samples of all permanent colors contained in your home's exterior to your roofer or to the building supply store if you intend to roof your home yourself. Take time to speak to an expert about the best color choice for your new roof.

7.  Accentuate the architectural style of your home.

• A Spanish style home might look good with reddish clay-colored roof shingles which would mimic traditional clay roofing tiles, for example. A casual ranch house might look good with a combination of colors while a traditional colonial would not.
• Drive around several neighborhoods to get an idea of what color of roofing would look best on your home. Look for houses similar to yours in color scheme and architectural style.

8.  Explore the wide variety of material choices you will find in choosing a new roof.

• Clay tiles are traditionally shades of red or tan. Today the color choices offer a broader spectrum from which to choose. Be sure your tiles have been fired in a kiln so the colors are baked in and will not fade over time.
• Natural thin layers of slate can be used for roofing material but this type of material is quite expensive. Although there is variety, colors are limited to those found in nature. 
• Concrete tiles can be made to look like wood shakes, slate or clay tiles and can come in a wide variety of colors.
• Metal roofing usually comes in sheets which give your roof a distinctive look by using long vertical lines. Today, however, metal roofing can be made to look like wood shakes, composite shingles or even clay tiles. Metal roofing is energy efficient, fire resistant and strong.

Contact Lowry Roofing Co to help you get started on your new roof!

Your roofing experts in the North Dallas area.
Free inspection/estimate

469-412-4364
972-800-4574

Residential/Commercial - No Job is Too Small or Too Large for Lowry Roofing Co

 No Job is Too Small or Too Large!

If it's important to you, it's important to us!  And, yes, we have done a playhouse roof!  Definitely not our norm, but it was a quick, fun project.  It's good to protect that investment, too!

We, of course, do residential roofing.  We have recently been putting on a lot of new residential roofs.  We love doing roofs and take pride in a job well done.
One of our goals is to strive to exceed expectations.

We also do commercial roofing.  While it would seem that there shouldn't be that much difference between commercial and residential roofs, there is.  Often commercial low-slope and flat roofs develop issues that are a lot different than issues associated with residential roofs.  With those types of commercial roofs, the issues are more likely to be membrane punctures, clogged drains, ponding water, seam separations, flashing deterioration around penetrations, shrinkage, and cracking.  For these reasons, it's more important to have frequent inspections and maintenance. 

It's also important for the commercial roofing contractor to be experienced in air flow systems, drainage of the commercial roof, and external piping. These items should be included in the budget for roof installation and maintenance systems.  We do that.

Lowry's got you covered!  Doesn't matter if it's a small job or a huge job.  We can handle it.

Lowry Roofing Co

We do free inspections/estimates.

Call us at: 972-800 4574

Good Recommendations are a Must

Lowry Roofing Co - Roofing experts in the North Dallas, Texas, area

Your roofing expert should also have excellent recommendations.  We have them!

Lowry Roofing Co:

Amazing company. They came to our home and checked our roof. They talked us with the truth and explained everything with details. They didn't push us to do anything that was not necessary. Very professional. We highly recommend Lowry Roofing! 

- Karem Martinez Espinosa

Great experience with Lowry General Contractors! A firm commitment to excellent quality work. I live in the Carter Ranch, Celina, Texas.
Jon Lowry was our contact person and he was very professional and honest. I contacted my insurance company and an adjuster/inspector came out within the week. Jon made sure he was there to show the adjuster all the problem spots, and they approved the claim.
Jon finished all the work at the promised time, and for the promised price.  After they were done, they carefully swept the ground outside magnetically for fallen nails and hardware, and picked up all of their trash. I would highly recommend Lowry General Contractors to my friends, family and to anyone I don't know, because I know they are a reliable company. Ask for Jon, he is incredible and very diligent.
- Venu Sigamala 
Celina, TX - Carter Ranch

Great job inside and out, repaired hail damage from hail storm on 6/2/2017 , I could not get anywhere with insurance co.  Lowry stepped in and in 3 days received check from insurance co. I tried from June 3rd 2017 until October 2017 and they would not even return my call.  I cant say enough about how great it was to deal with this company

- Jeff Hamrick

We are happy to assist you with a free roof inspection or estimate.  

Give us a call today at:  469-412-4364

Roofing Estimate or Roof Inspection?

Roofing Estimate vs. Roof Inspection

You should ask a professional roofer (Lowry Roofing Co is great!) for an estimate if you know your roof is damaged (maybe a leaking roof, missing shingles, etc.)  Giving the roofing pro information on your concerns as well as specifics of the damage your roof has sustained will help to make your roof estimate more detailed and complete.  

You should ask a professional roofer (Again, Lowry Roofing Co is great for this, too!) for an inspection if:  

• you just want to know the general condition of your roof, 
• you think it might be damaged, or 
• it has been a year or more since your roof was last inspected.

Lowry Roofing Co does free estimates and inspections.  Their inspections will tell you the general condition of your roof as well as how much more life you can expect from it.  They can also point out problem areas and/or areas that may need to be watched.  Often, if you take care of problems early, they can extend the life of your roof and save you money in the long run.

Schedule your free roof estimate or roof inspection today!

  (469) 412-4364

How long has it been since your roof 

has been inspected?

The recommended interval is every three years.  Are you due for an inspection?
Would it better better more often?

Make sure your roof keeps protecting you.  Have it inspected every 3 years.

If your climate is extreme, every year is even better.

Your roof is a big investment.  Take care of it.

Lowry Roofing Co

Residential/Commercial

Free inspections/estimates

972-800-4574

Call us today to schedule your roof inspection.

Should I Repair or Replace My Roof (Part 2)

Replacing the Roof

So how do you know when it’s time for a whole new roof? The answer depends on a variety of factors, which you should consider when you’re faced with a roofing repair versus replace dilemma.

Signs of Moisture or Water Damage - Water is a powerful force - just look at the Grand Canyon and you can see what it can do when left over time. Once it seeps underneath your roof’s shingles, it can quickly find its way inside where it can cause serious damage and even health problems. If you see signs of moisture inside your home, including brown spots on the ceiling, peeling paint or mold, you should probably opt to replace your entire roof rather than attempt a patch or repair.

A Recent Disaster – If your neighborhood was recently hit with a hurricane, tornado, or an especially violent storm, perhaps not unlike some of our crazy Texas hail storms, the damage may be extensive enough to require a total roof replacement. Yes, even a single severe hail storm can push an unwell roof into a state of emergency.

Age – The question is, is your roof relatively new and leaking? In this case, the problem is more likely related to the quality of the installation or even a defect in the materials rather than normal wear and tear. On the other hand, a 20-year-old roof with a couple of problem areas is likely near the end of its lifespan and in need of replacement.

Materials – You should also consider the type of roofing materials used on your roof. For example, an 80-year-old slate roof might still have a few more decades of life ahead, while a metal roof in its eighth decade is well past its prime. Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material due to their affordability and aesthetic appeal, and the latest generation of premium asphalt shingles are made to last up to 50 years with proper maintenance.  How good is the quality of roof on your house?

When it’s time to replace your roof, consult with Lowry Roofing Co, a home/commercial roofing expert in the North Dallas, Texas, area. By investing in a quality product and expert installation now, you can rest easy knowing your home is protected for the long haul.

Free roof inspection or estimate.

Should I Repair or Replace My Roof (Part 1)

Should I Repair or Replace My Roof?

When it comes to your home, an ounce of prevention is most definitely worth a pound of cure. Okay, ya'll get it.  Regular maintenance is good for both your home’s appearance and your wallet. Putting off needed repairs might save you in the short-term but it will end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

However, not all home improvement decisions are cut and dry. For example, it’s sometimes possible — and entirely acceptable — to repair a roof rather than replace it. Which route you take depends on several factors, including the type of damage your roof has sustained, and what percentage of the total roof surface is in need of repair.

When It’s Okay to Simply Replace Shingles

In some cases, all you need to do to restore beauty and function to your roof is replace a few shingles. Asphalt shingles are designed to last for decades, and today’s modern roofing designs are engineered to last for as long as you own your home.

Before you decide to replace shingles, however, it’s important to have a professional like Lowry Roofing Co inspect your roof to determine if any of the underlayment or decking is damaged. There’s a big difference between a few missing shingles lost during heavy winds and a leak that extends through the various layers of your roof. If the damage is extensive, it’s usually a better idea - and a better value - to replace the entire roof.

Also keep in mind that shingles are exposed to rain, hail (sometimes big, Texas-sized hail), and heat. Even if you have a spare box of shingles left over from when your roof was installed, you might have a hard time matching the “new” shingles to the ones on your roof. Depending on the location and the size of the area in need of patching, it might be difficult to blend replacement shingles into the rest of the roof.

However, if the area in need of new shingles is located in an inconspicuous area, or the section is relatively small, you might be able to get away with nailing down some replacement shingles.

Tip: If your roof is missing a few shingles, don’t wait to replace them. The shingles are there to protect your roof’s decking from moisture and wind. Even a small, exposed area can allow water to seep into the underlayment and into the deck, where it can cause rot and eventually leakage.
Take care of those types of problems immediately.  

Lowry Roofing Co is happy to assess your roof  free if charge and tell you the best options for repairing any damage you may have.

Lowry Roofing

Excellence in roofing is our business.
Residential/Commercial

(469) 412-4364

Four Things to Check If You Think Your Roof Has Sustained Storm Damage

"Everything's bigger in Texas!" seems to be true about the weather, too!

Not only is Texas BIG, it has big skies, ranches, buildings, you name it.  It also has big, crazy weather!  Tornadoes are on the table and the hail is sometimes as big as a baseball!  How is a roof to survive?

If your area has been hit by severe wind or hail storms, the best thing would be to have your roof professionally inspected.  If that's not a forthcoming option, there are four things you can check that will hopefully give you piece of mind, OR get you lining up a professional roofer - like Lowry Roofing Co - in a big hurry.

First, there's the obvious, maybe branches on the top of your house, torn or out-of-place shingles, broken gutters, etc.  Any of these items likely indicate more damage than meets the eye and indicate that you will need an inspection.

Additionally, it would be a good idea to check for:

1 - Granules.  If you have an asphalt roof, the shingles are covered in tiny granules.  Those granules help to protect the asphalt and your home.  Once they are gone, your roof is more likely to be damaged by the sun and the weather.  You can tell if your roof has sustained damage to the granules because you will be able to see them scattered around the outside your home or in the gutters.

2 - Lifting Shingles.  The shingles are not down tight and maybe show little lifts.  If shingles flap or are even up a little, they can allow water to be blown under, which can begin to damage the underlying parts of your roof.  You may not see this damage unless you are on a ladder.

3 - Hail Damage.  Check for broken edges.  You can often see them from the ground.  You will need to get on a ladder or the roof to see the dents and bruising - and with some shingles, holes.  Even then, depending on the roofing material, unless there were holes or you were trained in what to look for, you may not be able to pick it out.

4 - Damaged Gutters and Flashing.  Gutters and Flashing may be dented or blown out of place.  Flashing would need to be replaced quickly to continue to protect the integrity of your roof.

If you have noticed any of the above, give Lowry Roofing Co a call.  We can schedule a free inspection of your roof to keep it in tip-top shape against the big Texas weather.  And that's a big peace of mind!