In some regions of the world it hails more than in others. This atmospheric phenomenon can damage both the car and the home. There is very little you can do to prevent damage, but luckily there are many ways to fix it. This kind of bruising is usually not very problematic, but you should still take care of it to prevent it from turning into worse damage.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Using Heat and Cold
Step 1. Park your vehicle in a sunny area
This is a very popular technique among car lovers. The heat will cause the metal to expand and the expansion will smooth out small dents. However, you will have to wait a long time for the sun to do its job, especially if you live in a region where it is not very hot.
The longer the vehicle is exposed to the sun, the more likely it is that the technique will work
Step 2. Apply warm air to the dents
If you can't leave the car in the hot sun, you can use a hair dryer. Keep it 12.5-17.5cm away from the bodywork at two-minute intervals; make sure it doesn't touch the car directly.
If the paint starts to fade, stop immediately and apply wax or an abrasive paste to restore the color
Step 3. Place dry ice on the area to be treated
The drastic change in temperature will cause the dent to "snap" outward. Dry ice is dangerous to the skin, so wear gloves when handling it. Move the piece of dry ice over the bodywork to cool it down quickly.
This method is very effective indeed, but sometimes there is some small indentation left and other repairs will be needed
Part 2 of 4: Using Kits or Contacting a Professional
Step 1. Consider purchasing specific repair kits
Depending on the model, some of these are also reusable. First consider how often it hails in your region and how violently. If hail storms hit often, then it's worth buying one.
You can purchase these kits at an auto parts store
Step 2. Buy a dent puller
This simple tool uses the effect of the suction to eliminate damage caused by hail on the bodywork. It is one of the most popular kits among non-professionals who love "do it yourself".
Step 3. Try other kits
There are other tools that use the force of suction and glue guns to smooth dents. Sometimes it takes a bit of work and patience to use them correctly, but they guarantee you potentially better results. They usually consist of an arch bridge paired with a safe glue.
Step 4. Take the vehicle to the body shop
If you have an insurance policy that covers hail damage, contact the agency and fill out the claim form. This kind of repair is never too expensive and a professional guarantees you a perfect job.
If it is necessary to replace some parts of the body, you can ask the professional to use used parts, in order to reduce costs
Part 3 of 4: Identifying the Hail Damage on the House
Step 1. Observe the time
If you were away from home and didn't know about the hail storm, check the weather conditions of the past few days. This way you will have a confirmation that your property has suffered damage due to hail. This weather phenomenon may have damaged the roof as badly as your car.
Step 2. Check the asphalt shingles
Hail has different effects on different types of roofs. On the asphalt shingles you should notice scattered damage without a clear pattern and the impact points should be black. In addition, you should also notice the presence of granules and the asphalt should be shiny.
Step 3. Look at the wooden shingles
Just like asphalt roofs, wooden ones show random damage without a defined pattern. Look for chipped shingles with brown / orange spots. You should also notice sharp pieces of wood or deteriorated cracks on the edges.
Step 4. Inspect the clay shingles
This type of coating, also called tile, generally shows characteristic damage with multiple fractures starting from the impact area. The points of the roof most susceptible to damage are the corners and overlapping areas along the edges of the tiles.
Damages on clay tiles are easy to spot, as they are obvious cracks
Step 5. Check the metal roof
Metal paneled roofs rarely break with hail, as it is one of the strongest coatings. You can rarely notice dents due to the nature of the material itself and because it is very close to the underlying surface. There may be functional damage along the welds or edges of the panels through which moisture can filter.
Metal shingles are damaged like asphalt ones, but they are much less resistant than metal panels
Part 4 of 4: Complete the Insurance Form
Step 1. Make sure the damage is due to hail
When you realize that the roof has problems, you must be sure that the cause is precisely the atmospheric event. If there has been a very strong storm, then there is a suspicion and a possibility that the hail has ruined it.
- Check the roof after the storm;
- Look around the property for other clues that confirm the action of the hail;
- If you are renting, contact the landlord in case you are concerned that there is structural damage.
Step 2. Document everything you can
You don't have to take a ladder and photograph the roof up close, just take a few pictures of the house and the roof after the storm. If there is still hail on the ground, take a picture of it.
Step 3. Make an appointment for an inspection
Ask a reputable construction company to inspect the roof and make a quote. Be very careful in choosing the company, as there are many unauthorized contractors who could defraud you. Also you should first find out if your insurance company uses contracted professionals. Rely only on certified professionals and inform the company, as they may send their own appraiser to assist with the inspection.
Step 4. Stay home on the day of the inspection
You have to be there to prevent them from making any repairs. Remind employees that they only need to do an inspection and to outline the damaged areas with chalk.
- Pay close attention to noises, as some companies can do further damage to worsen the situation and "inflate" the budget.
- Don't sign anything.
Step 5. Fill out the refund form
Retrieve the copy of your home policy. Prepare all the documentation in your possession and describe what happened specifying the damages suffered. The insurance company will assign a claim number to your case. The subsequent procedures vary according to the different companies. Make sure you have the coverage you need before you outsource work to a firm.
