The hammering sound of hail and how it cuts through the air and smacks against a house can be frightening and destructive. The roof is one of the most common victims of hail damage. Notably, clients may be tempted to perform their roof check; however, a professional roofing contractor will guarantee that any hail damage is recognized and repaired as soon as possible.
If left unattended, hail storms can inflict catastrophic damage to roofs. Damage could include broken shingles or tiles, exposed nails, pierced flashing, and other issues, which can expose properties to potential water incursion or other problems.
A skilled roofing contractor will have the necessary skills to discover any concealed damage that may not be evident from the ground level and repair it swiftly and efficiently before it becomes a bigger problem.
What Is Hail? How Does Hail Form?
Hail is a form of frozen precipitation that can seriously harm cars, buildings, and roofs.
The creation of hail is fairly simple. This is how it works: A hailstone forms under freezing conditions around tiny nuclei floating through the air, such as a water droplet or dust particle.
Wind will carry this fledgling hailstone high into the storm clouds, where it will rapidly freeze and increase in size, soaking up additional moisture from the rain and water vapor as it is flung lower into the atmosphere by the wind, only to be grabbed up by storm currents and frozen again.
The larger the hail, the longer it will cycle back and forth between freezing and non-freezing temperatures, growing in size. The hailstone will eventually fall to the ground, causing damage to roofs and buildings.
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Signs of Hail Damage to Look For
There are numerous symptoms of hail damage to a roof when inspecting it after a storm. These are some examples:
1. Dents and Bruises on the Metal Flashing or Shingles
Dents or bruises in metal flashing along the edges of your roof or on your shingles are the most evident signs of roof hail damage. The size of these might range from minor indentations to full-fledged fissures. In extreme circumstances, these can even penetrate the material itself. Whatever their size or shape, they indicate that your roof has been destroyed by hail and requires immediate repair before further damage can occur.
2. Loose, Damaged, or Missing Shingles
Wind damage shingles are easy to identify since they have shifted from their original location on the roof.
More serious damage, such as missing or shattered tiles, may occur during chaotic and intense hail storms and must be treated immediately to prevent rainfall from leaking into your client’s home.
3. Granule Loss on the Shingles
After a storm, vents, skylights, and chimneys should be thoroughly inspected, even if there is no obvious physical damage since they likely have damaged seals that could disappear before it is too late.
Assume there is any suspicion that seals have been harmed. In that scenario, professionals should replace them immediately to avoid significant repair expenditures later on due to water penetration into these home regions.
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How to Prevent Future Hail-Related Damage?
Most of us have experienced the difficulties that sometimes accompany terrible weather, but hail storms can quickly become much more than a small inconvenience. Hail, solid ice precipitation, is separate from sleet and can cause significant property damage.
Hail storms can occur at any time of year. Still, they are most often between February and July, according to research, and it is usually difficult to forecast exactly where a hail storm will hit until approximately about an hour before it occurs.
So, how can people safeguard their properties against hail damage?
1. Conduct Routine Property Maintenance
Maintaining your property is a refreshing approach to preventing hail damage. Trim your trees because overgrown limbs near your home are more likely to cause property damage during storms with heavy winds and hail, as branches can crack, break, and fall.
2. Investing in Quality Gutters and Downspouts
These high-quality gutters and downspouts systems direct precipitation away from vulnerable portions of the property and decrease moisture buildup on roofs, leading to additional issues such as mold growth, wood decay, and even drooping ceilings over time.
Investing in quality gutters and downspouts will boost your client’s property’s safety and overall worth over time.
3. Secure Your Outside Furniture
The last thing you want is for the wonderful outdoor furniture you’ve spent a lot of money on to be ruined or damaged in a hailstorm.
When a storm is predicted, do your utmost to secure all patio/outdoor furniture, trampolines, pots, etc., that could cause or be damaged. Place these goods in your garage or home until the storm passes.
4. Invest in a Hail/Impact Resistant Roof
If you are scouting for a new roof, consider investing in one particularly resistant to hail storms and other sorts of impact. These tougher roofs may be more expensive, but the investment may be worthwhile to avoid future storm damage. Furthermore, investing in a hail-resistant roof will certainly result in a higher discount on your property insurance policy.
5. Take Precautions with Windows
When a hail storm is predicted to hit your area, take additional measures with your home’s windows. Close any window shutters you have. Remember to close all blinds, shades, and curtains since these coverings can prevent breaking glass from entering your home. When a big storm rolls through, every little bit helps!
How Does Hail Damage A Roof?
Various factors determine the extent of hail damage to your roof. These are some examples:
1. Hailstone Size, Density & Shape
The size, density, and shape of hailstones vary widely.
According to experts, hailstones larger than 3 cm cause the most harm. Large hailstones propelled by high winds have even punctured older, weaker roofs. On impact, jagged hailstones with sharp edges are more powerful and deadly.
Roofs with multi-layered shingles are prone to hailstone penetration because smaller hailstones can easily reach the fragile support region beneath the top shingle layer.
‘Can pea-sized hail damage a roof?’ many homeowners wonder. Unfortunately, even little hail damage can cause a roof leak or other severe issues that jeopardize your roof’s long-term value and safety.
2. Roof Age and Condition
The age and condition of your roof determine the extent of damage caused by a hailstorm. A neglected roof that has recently received other types of roof damage or has become weaker with age is more vulnerable to hail damage than a newer, well-maintained roof.
3. Wind Damage
The wind speed, intensity, and direction during a hailstorm can all significantly impact the severity of the hail and, ultimately, the damage to your hail roof. High winds cause the most damage because they change the velocity and angle of impact.
4. Physical Barriers
Physical barriers, such as tall tree cover, landscaping, neighboring structures, fences, or adjacent buildings, can protect your roof from hail damage.
Bottomline
If you suspect a hailstorm has damaged your roof, you should have a roofing professional inspect it thoroughly. They can accurately analyze the damage, including shingles and roof membrane damage. If the hail damage to your roof is substantial, you may be eligible to file a hail roof insurance claim.
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