Summer hail storms are a common part of life in the summer. Vehicles can be stored in a garage to protect them from hail damage, but buildings are largely at the mercy of the weather. Fortunately, some roof styles handle hail storms better than others, but how well your roof handles hail depends on several different factors.
Roofing materials vary in their ability to withstand severe weather like sustained wind and hail. For examples, asphalt roofs may have shingles stripped in the damaging winds that often accompany a severe hail storm, and the shingles may be punctured or suffer surface damage from hail stones. By contrast, aluminum roofing may be dented by large hail stones, which can affect the aesthetics of the building. It is worth considering a roofing material that is designed to withstand severe weather if you are replacing a roof or constructing a new building.
The age of a roof also affects the risk of damage during a hail storm. As roofing materials age, they may become more brittle and vulnerable to impacts or wind damage. Asphalt shingles also lose their protective surface coating over time which makes them more vulnerable to being cracked or punctured by hail.
The severity of the storm also plays a significant role in the amount of damage. Hail stones can vary in size from smaller than a pea up to many inches in diameter. Larger hail stones, unsurprisingly, cause considerably more damage than smaller stones. The wind speed and direction also affects the amount of damage during a severe storm. If the edge of your roof faces the direction the wind is blowing from, for example, it can cause lift and lead to even more serious damage or destruction.
Roofing materials should be carefully inspected for damage following any severe hail storm. Missing roofing material is an obvious sign of damage, but more subtle damage like small cracks may be more difficult to notice. These small cracks can lead to leaks and water damage later on, so it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected by a professional as soon as possible after any severe storm to quickly identify any damage before it gets worse.
Commercial building insurance often has different coverage for hail damage than does homeowner’s insurance. Contact your insurance agent or review your commercial policy to be sure you understand the coverage on your building before it is damaged in a hail storm.
R.G. Smith Company provides a variety of commercial and industrial roofing solutions to customers throughout Ohio. Our skilled professionals can handle everything from an emergency repair to a complete tear off and replacement. Call us today at 330-456-3415 or at our Mansfield office at 419-524-4778 to learn more about our roofing services or to request an estimate.
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