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| A New Roof In Your Future? HAIL Yes! |
time2roof writes, "Every year, the tri-state is subjected to extreme wind and hail.
While the insurance companies will help you with the cost of replacing a hail damaged roof, they will NOT help you to select a reputable roofer."
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Many factors will determine the level of hail damage a home can receive. Hail can cause damage to siding too: however, the roof is the most exposed element due to its sloping profile.
Not all hail storms are alike! A hailstorm over your home does not automatically mean you will sustain roof damage.
Conversely, falling hail may damage your roof, while not affecting your next-door neighbor’s roof at all! ROOF TIME recommends that homeowners contact a professional roofer, prior to calling their insurance agent, for a complete roof examination after a hailstorm has occurred. The reasons for this are simple. Every time a homeowner contacts their insurer, a claim inquiry is recorded. Too many claims, even the ones that result in no action from the insurer, can red flag a homeowners file. It is with-in the insurance company’s rights, to drop an owner for too many inquires or even after a single paid claim. By letting a professional roofer evaluate the roof first, owners can avoid making a claim unless absolutely deemed necessary.
There are other factors that affect the level of hail damage, such as the specific properties of the roof shingles (age, layers, pitch, wood deck framing) and the hail stones themselves (size, density, velocity).
Hailstones have been reported to range from ¼ inch in diameter (very little roof damage) up to 4 ½ inches in diameter (severe roof damage). The common size for causing damage to roofing systems is ¾ inch in diameter and larger.
• Pea = ¼ inch diameter
• Marble = ½ inch diameter
• Dime = ¾ inch
• Nickel = 7/8 inch
• Quarter = 1 inch
• Ping-Pong Ball = 1 ½ inches
• Golf Ball = 1 ¾ inches
• Tennis Ball = 2 ½ inches
• Baseball = 2 ¾ inches
• Teacup = 3 inches
• Grapefruit = 4 inches
• Softball = 4 ½ inches
Studies have shown that hail-producing thunderstorms occurring in periods of cold weather generate small hail with a relatively low density.
Hail-producing thunderstorms occurring during periods of warm weather generate larger hail with a higher density.
As objects fall from the sky and head toward earth, the effect of earth’s gravitational forces causes the objects to accelerate at a rate of 32.2 ft/sec. However, falling objects reach terminal velocity – a point at which they stop accelerating and travel at a constant speed. The terminal velocity of a 3-inch hailstone is around 90 mph. Hail can be propelled at even greater velocities aided by the storms downdraft. Straight-line winds will also increase the speed of a hailstone. The same 3-inch stone with a terminal velocity of 90 mph combined with a 40 mph horizontal wind will fall at over 100 mph!
The slope of the roof has a considerable effect on the outcome of the hailstone affecting the roof. Hailstones striking the roof at a 90-degree angle are more likely to cause damage than those striking a glancing blow. Steeper roof slopes ( 8:12 and greater) can decrease the amount of damage.
Newer shingles are more impact resistant than older. The effects of the sun and weathering often result in shingles becoming more brittle over time.
The framing of the roof deck plays an important role in hail resistance. Too much flexibility in the system reduces the effectiveness of the system impact resistance. Solid roof decks, using tongue and groove decking or plywood on moderately spaced trusses, greatly improve the impact resistance of the roof.
Re-covering over an existing roof system significantly reduces the impact resistance of the roof. A roof with two or more layers of asphalt shingles exhibits a “sponge” effect, resulting in the top layer being more susceptible to penetration by impacting hailstones. It is always better to have a single roof layer on your home.
How do I know if I have hail damage to my roof? Can I tell from the ground?
To determine if any damage has been caused by a hail storm, a close inspection of the roof must be made by a qualified professional.
In most cases, damage cannot be observed from the ground. AT ROOF TIME, we offer FREE rooftop inspections complete with digital photos for you to keep!
Our trained and professional inspectors will "go the extra mile" on your behalf when dealing with the insurance company!
I'm not sure I have hail damage, what should I do?
Any time your home endures a hail storm, you should immediately call a qualified roofer and MAYBE your insurance company. Far too many damaged roofs go un-replaced by homeowners never filing their claims, because they honestly believe they have no damage.
Remember, insurance companies send adjusters to specialized schools giving them the necessary training in identifying hail damage. Find a roofer who has been to the same schools as well!
What does a hail hit look like?
A hail impact on a shingle depends greatly on the size and speed of the hail itself. In many cases, it looks like a "bruise" or a dark spot where the granules on the single have been displaced and the asphalt underlayment is now exposed. Even if your roof has only sustained granular loss without significant bruising, your roof is still susceptible to the damaging effects of granular loss, which exposes any of the underlayment causing an alteration of the fire rating and deceleration of the roof's actual performance level.
What does hail do to a roof?
Hail causes bruising, cracking and granular loss to your asphalt shingles. The granules that make up the color of your roof serve more than just one purpose. In addition to giving your roof aesthetic appeal, granules also determine the fire rating of your roof. Almost all roof fire ratings are built into the granules and once these are stripped away or lost, the fire rating is impaired, which opens your home to additional fire risks. Hail, can bruise the shingle causing granules to be dislodged and exposing the asphalt underlayment. Once the underlayment is exposed, it will begin to deteriorate due to the exposure of UV rays from the sun. Additionally, larger hail can fracture the asphalt underlayment of the actual shingles. The winter AFTER a hail storm is when the problems can develop. The bruised dimple left by the hail stone, fills with water, which expands the hole with every freeze cycle. Soon the marble sized dimple has become a quarter size hole that is leaking, multiplied by the hundreds across your roof!
Should I replace my roof right away?
The insidious nature of hail damage is that it can pose no immediate threat to the integrity of the roof. However, many insurance companies have a "statute of limitations" dictating how long a hail claim is valid for. It is imperative that you file a claim immediately in order to protect all your rights! When your insurance company finds enough damage to warrant the replacement of your roof, you should not hesitate to have it replaced.
Why would my insurance replace my roof?
The purpose of home owner's insurance is to protect homeowners against the losses incurred on their property, which are beyond their control. Your insurance policy covers direct, physical damage to your home, meaning that your insurance company has a contractual obligation to repair or replace any damage to your property.
The actual roofing inspection...
The insurance industry has set basic standards when it comes to evaluating your roofing system. These standards are used to determine the extent of any damage caused to your roof. Complete roof replacement or repair is, in most cases, dictated by a term called a "test square". A test square is a ten foot by ten foot section marked off on your roof.
This method is legitimate, but there is a downfall. Ohio and Kentucky, do not have a law that dictates a minimum level of damage that must be found within the test square to warrant a repair or replacement. Your insurance company is responsible for setting the damage thresholds that depict legitimate hail damage. Some Insurance companies are extremely tough in this regard
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Posted on Mar 24, 2008 18:52pm.
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