As Action News reported last fall, October's hail storm created a lot of work for local auto body shops, but there may be other types of damage that have gone unnoticed for months.
This winter has been a busy time for many roofers in the North State as word spreads about potential damage to homeowner's roofs.
"Throughout the years as the sun beats down on that, it will eventually break it down and it will start spreading and coming apart," Brian Powell, owner of Powell Roofing said.
Months after a hail storm pelted the north state in early October hundreds in North Chico are just now realizing the harm done to their homes.
Many of them, like Ernie Dalton, are learning about the damage from neighbors.
"He sent them over to me to see if I had it, and they said I had damage. I had no idea," homeowner Ernie Dalton said.
Dalton says he had been up on his roof since the October storm, but hadn't noticed the tiny divots that can cause long term problems as sun and rain cause the tiny tears to grow.
"Probably about five years where the problems will start," Powell said.
The problem is if you wait until the problems start to surface, there is little chance to your insurance company will cover the damage.
"It takes just a few minutes to get up there and look," Powell said.
If you do notice those small dents and divots, it is a good idea to call your insurance company to find out how to proceed with a claim.
"Hire somebody to come out and look at it and document it. Get it sent in to your insurance company, because they're not going to take your word for it by yourselves," Powell said.
A lot of the coverage depends on what type of homeowners insurance you have. No matter what type of coverage you have, almost all insurers require claims to be submitted within one year of the storm.
