Hail in summer isn’t as unlikely as it was before. In fact, it’s happening much more often, as evidenced by the increasing number of hail-related insurance claims in the past few years. In this blog, roofing contractor Patriot Roofing LLC shares how to mitigate hail roofing damage this summer season.
How Hail Forms
Currents of rising air, or updrafts, carry droplets of water upwards, to the point where these droplets freeze. If the updraft is strong enough, the water droplets will continue to grow in size, until they’re heavy enough to be pulled by gravity, forming hailstones. In contrast, water evaporation turns water into vapors that eventually form clouds. Most hailstones are small enough that they melt before they hit the ground. The larger ones can reach speeds as high as 90 miles per hour before they make contact.
Cosmetic Vs. Functional Damage
Roofing hail damage is characterized by dents on the roofing surface. Insurers classify hail damage as cosmetic or functional. The difference between the two is a common cause of dispute when filing insurance claims.
Cosmetic hail damage means the extent of hail damage impairs the roof’s appearance but not its function or performance, and therefore will not require roof repair. Functional damage, on the other hand, is when hailstone impact has caused holes in the roof, or some other significant damage, which will require a roof repair, and therefore, insurance coverage.
What to Do In Case of Hail Damage
Like most types of weather-related damage, hail damage is hard to avoid altogether. However, there are things that you can do to protect your home. Large, shade-bearing trees offer some protection from hail if the wind direction is just right. Storm doors and window shutters can protect other parts of your home from direct impact. Upgrading your roofing to high impact shingles, such as GAF Timberline® ArmorShield™, can help mitigate hail damage. Also, ask your contractor if they offer assistance with filing hail damage insurance claims.
Patriot Roofing LLC is your leading provider of roofing and gutter installation services. Give us a call at (405) 217-0473 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Norman, OK, and surrounding areas.