Do you need siding repair in Fort Washington? RAM Exterior is here to help. So, you have hail damage, and it’s a big pain; I understand that. You may wonder how much hail damage to replace siding and whether it will even be worth filing the claim. This is not always an easy question, but we will discuss how much hail damage can replace siding step by step. I’ve seen a lot of siding damage and worked with folks in the same boat as you.
How Hail Damage Affects Your Siding
Hailstones can be anything from pea-sized to baseball-sized, and the damage they cause can vary just as much. Sometimes, it’s just a few cosmetic dings. But large hail can crack vinyl, dent aluminum, and even puncture fiber cement siding. The direction of the storm matters, too. That often means only one or two sides of your house take a beating.
Identifying Hail Damage on Siding
After a hailstorm, check your siding carefully. Look for dents, cracks, chips, and holes. Spraying your siding with a hose can help highlight damage. Remember, aluminum siding will dent from just about anything, including a ball. While aluminum siding can be very tough in many ways, it also tends to show a great amount of hail damage. It’s best to inspect your home for damage in the late afternoon. The lighting at this time often reveals more flaws.
Repair vs. Replace
It all depends on a couple of factors: the extent of the damage and the siding material. A few dents or cracks might be repairable, and definitely consider this if your siding has some hail damage. But widespread damage, especially punctures or deep cracks, usually means replacement. Some types of siding are more difficult to repair than others. Vinyl siding often needs replacement in whole sections or panels simply because colors are hard to match. In comparison, aluminum and fiber cement siding may allow for more localized repairs.
How Hail Size Impacts Siding Damage and Replacement
Hail size plays a huge role in how siding holds up. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 5,400 major hail storms pummeled the country in 2013. So you’re not alone.
The size of the hailstones will determine the impact force. Small hail can merely cause cosmetic problems or tiny dents. Large hail, on the other hand, causes more significant repairs and even punctures, shatters, cracks, and chips on various surfaces of your home’s exterior and other items, such as your vehicles and landscaping.
How to Work with Insurance for Siding Replacement
If you have large hail damage to several panels, closely examine your homeowner’s insurance policy. Your policy covers hail damage to your automobile and dwelling. However, knowing what the policy covers can get tricky for even an experienced contractor like RAM Exterior. Most policies will only pay to replace hail-damaged sections on individual sides of your home and may require multiple hits in concentrated areas. However, most policies have a provision to allow you to reroof the entire dwelling with certain materials under specific circumstances, and we’ll get into that later.
Cost of Siding Replacement
So now you’re probably asking yourself, “How much does hail damage to replace siding cost overall?” Average siding replacement runs about $11,500 nationally. However, the prices can range from roughly $5,000 for a smaller vinyl home to up to $25,000 for fiber cement in a bigger house. Everything counts: material, style, size of the home and location. Dealing with hail damage and determining how much damage to replace siding is not easy. However, if you understand the process and how your insurance works, the headache of dealing with the aftermath can be reduced to a minimum.
From initial inspection to repairs or replacements not only of your roof but also your landscaping and vehicles, and especially that dreaded call with your insurance company, you must be diligent about what damage should be taken care of to return your home and family’s wellbeing.
By understanding your insurance coverage, you are setting your mind up not to stress as you walk through what should seem like a tedious experience after filing a claim. In the event of large enough losses, your insurance carrier may cover an entirely new roof, siding, and more.
We also offer siding repair in the Lehigh Valley area. This guide offers some advice on siding damage, but always consult the roofing and siding expert about the amount of hail damage to replace siding, the insurance coverage your situation calls for, and associated repairs to keep you fully covered so you can enjoy your life like nothing ever happened. Contact us today.