Hail over Geneva Lake can reach a Lake Geneva roof while its owner is miles away. Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding inspects hail damage on lake homes, cottages, condos and year round houses, with photos of every hit sent to you wherever you are. The inspection is free, and if water is getting in we can tarp within 24 hours. Call (815) 624-6278; we answer 24/7.
Hail While You Are Away
Census estimates count several hundred homes in the city as held for seasonal use. A bruised shingle or a cracked tile does not leak right away, and in an empty house a slow drip can soak insulation for weeks before anyone notices. If you are away, tell us when you call. We inspect the roof and, with access, the attic, then email the photos, a short written summary and a plan. You decide from wherever you are, and we can coordinate with a neighbor or caretaker for access.
Big, Cut Up Roofs on Lake Homes
From cottages near downtown and the Riviera to large homes along the shore path and in Geneva National, Lake Geneva roofs tend to have more going on than a typical subdivision roof: dormers, several valleys, skylights and walls that rise out of the roof. Each of those joints is a place where a hail bruise or a dented flashing can open a path for water. On these roofs we inspect every face separately and photograph the joints, not just the open field of shingles.
Homes on the bluffs or right on the water also take wind off the open lake. Hail that arrives with that wind strikes the lake facing slopes at an angle, so damage can be heavy on one side and light on the other. We note which slopes took the storm so the plan matches what actually happened.
Metal, Copper and Tile Take Hail Differently
- Metal roofs. Hail can leave dents in metal panels. Some dents are cosmetic; others crease a seam or loosen a fastener. We separate the two in the photos and tell you which ones matter for keeping water out.
- Copper accents. Copper bay roofs, valleys and caps are soft and dent easily. A dent alone is usually cosmetic, but a split seam or a crushed valley edge needs repair.
- Tile and slate. Hail can crack clay, concrete or slate pieces, and the layer under the tile has to stay dry. Our Lake Geneva roof repair page covers tile in detail.
- Asphalt shingles. We look for bruises, cracks, bare spots and broken seal strips, slope by slope.
Condos and Association Buildings
Nearly a third of Lake Geneva homes sit in buildings with five or more units, so the call after hail may come from a board or a property manager rather than one owner. We inspect the entire roof, mark where damage starts and how far it runs, and deliver one set of photos and written findings that the board can share. If a few units are leaking, we trace each leak to where it entered, which is not always above the wet ceiling.
Repair or Replace After Hail
Scattered hits on a healthy roof call for a repair: matched shingles, new flashing or vent covers where metal was dented, and a check of the deck beneath. When hail bruised most slopes, or the roof was already near the end of its life, replacement is usually the better long term choice. We tear off to the deck, install ice and water shield on every eave and in the valleys, and put on a full GAF system. GAF Class 4 impact resistant shingles are an option if you want more hail resistance. Most roofs are done in a day, though a large lake home with a complex roof takes longer, and we tell you that up front. We install year round; on one lakefront remodel, mild December weather let us put on a GAF Timberline HDZ roof in Charcoal with black drip edge while the James Hardie siding work went on. See that Charcoal roof and roof replacement in Lake Geneva.
A qualifying shingle roof can carry lifetime GAF coverage with up to 30 years on workmanship (GAF eligibility rules apply). Our GAF warranty page explains it. Financing runs as low as $149/month for qualified buyers.
Siding Facing the Lake
Hail that hits a roof often marks the siding on the same side. We replace damaged boards or sections, never patch them with sealant or filler. Martin is a Certified James Hardie Installer, and Hardie fiber cement is our first choice; vinyl is the other main option. See Lake Geneva siding.
Why Lake Geneva Owners Call Martin
- GAF Master Elite, held by fewer than 2% of roofing contractors, and recognized with 2-Star President’s Club.
- Since 2006, we have helped thousands of homeowners, and we put on hundreds of roofs every year.
- CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster.
- Best Roofer 6 Years Running and an Inc. 5000 company.
- Open 24/7, with free inspections and photo reports for owners who are away.
More for Lake Geneva
Our Lake Geneva roofing page covers everything we do around the lake, and our metal roofing page explains metal options. For storms in general, see hail damage repair and storm damage repair. Nearby, read about hail damage roof repair in Delavan and hail damage roof repair in Elkhorn. Book a free inspection or call (815) 624-6278.
Lake Geneva Hail Damage FAQ
Can you inspect my Lake Geneva roof for hail while I am out of town?
Yes. Tell us when you call and how we can get access. We inspect the roof and the attic if we can reach it, then email photos, a written summary and a plan so you can decide from anywhere.
Are hail dents on a metal roof a problem?
Some are cosmetic and some are not. A dent that creases a seam or loosens a fastener can let water in. We photograph the dents and tell you which ones affect the roof.
Do you inspect condo buildings around Lake Geneva after hail?
Yes. We inspect the whole roof and give the board one set of photos and written findings, then trace any leaks to where they actually entered.
Why is the hail damage worse on the lake side of my house?
Storms coming across open water can carry wind, so hail can hit the slopes facing the lake at an angle and harder. We note which slopes took the storm in the report.
Can you replace a Lake Geneva roof in winter?
Yes. We install year round when the weather allows, and we have put on a lake home roof in mid December.
