Hail, Roof Leaks and Ceiling Water Damage

Hail can crack or knock granules off shingles, dent flashing and damage vents. Water then finds its way under shingles and into the attic, where it soaks insulation before showing up on a ceiling.

Look for dented gutters and vents, granules in downspout runoff and shingle damage visible from the ground. Check the attic with a flashlight for wet insulation, stains on the roof deck and drips.

Brown rings, peeling paint, a sagging spot or drips around a light fixture. A sagging ceiling is holding water and should be handled carefully.

Put buckets under drips. If a ceiling bulges, stay out from under it. If safe, poke a small hole at the lowest point to let water drain into a bucket. Turn off power to light fixtures in the wet area.

A roofer stops the leak; a restoration company dries the attic and ceiling. Wet insulation is usually removed and replaced.

Hail damage to roofs is usually a covered peril, and the interior water damage it causes is often covered too. Report hail damage promptly; policies have time limits.

In winter, snow on the roof can melt over the warm part of the attic and refreeze at the cold eaves, building an ice dam. Water backs up behind it and under the shingles. Ceiling stains near exterior walls in winter often come from ice dams. Better attic insulation and ventilation reduce them.

Skylights, chimneys, plumbing vents and roof vents all have flashing that can be damaged by hail or wear out. Stains around these spots point to the flashing.

After big hailstorms, out-of-town contractors often go door to door. Ask for local references and check Town of Castle Rock contractor registration before signing anything; see Town contractor registration.

Once the roof is fixed and the attic and ceiling are dry, the ceiling is repaired: wet insulation replaced, drywall patched or replaced, texture matched and painted. Popcorn ceilings in older homes may need testing before they are disturbed.

Report hail damage to your insurer promptly; policies often set a deadline. Fix the roof before rebuilding the ceiling, or the next storm undoes the work.

Hail can fill gutters with ice and shredded leaves. When it melts, water spills over the edge next to the foundation and can end up in the basement. Clear gutters and downspouts after big storms.

Wet insulation loses its value and can hold moisture against the ceiling drywall. It is usually removed after a roof leak and replaced once the attic is dry.

Take dated photos of hailstones next to a coin or ruler, dented gutters, vents and cars, and any interior stains. These help with the insurance claim.

Once the roof is tarped or repaired, call (720) 731-0398 for drying and ceiling repair.

After hail breaks shingles or skylights, a roofer can tarp the roof to keep water out until permanent repairs are made. Inside, move belongings from under the leak and catch drips.

With a flashlight and care to step only on framing, look at the underside of the roof deck for dark stains, wet spots and daylight. Check insulation for damp patches. Take photos for your insurer.

Water often follows wiring and drips from light fixtures. Turn off the breaker for that circuit and do not use the fixture until it has been checked and dried.

Hail damage is not limited to the house roof. Check garage roofs, sheds, skylights and window screens. Leaks into a garage ceiling can reach stored items and the room above.

If a ceiling stain returns after a repair, the roof leak was not fully fixed or there is a second entry point. Ask the roofer to check flashing and vents before the ceiling is repaired again.

Before spring, clean gutters, check the attic, note the age of the roof and confirm your hail and wind coverage and deductible. Some Colorado policies carry a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail, so check yours.

A hail claim usually has two parts: the roof and the interior. Keep both in the same claim if you can, with photos of each, and make sure the roof is repaired before the ceiling is rebuilt so the new drywall is not damaged by the next storm.

For the water inside, see water damage restoration and structural drying.

Questions about hail, roof leaks and ceiling water damage? Call (720) 731-0398 to reach a local Castle Rock provider, 24 hours a day.