Hail Damage in Hamburg? We Can Help.

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Hail comes in all shapes and sizes.

Hail storms are rare enough here in Western New York that they can be kind of a novelty. Hop on Instagram after it starts hailing and you’re sure to find plenty of videos filmed through the window of people marveling at the ice falling from the sky. 

Of course, if your home or property is damaged by hail, it becomes no laughing matter. SERVPRO of The Southtowns is here to help you to make hail damage “Like it never even happened,” including if hail damages your roof. If you’re worried about this kind of storm damage, read on.

What Leads to Hail Damage?

Obviously, hail leads to hail damage, but there are a variety of other factors that can affect how serious that damage is. 

Wind direction and wind speed determine where hail falls, and how hard it falls. The size and density of those hailstones is also important, and that’s determined by the temperature and weather conditions. 

Different building materials are more susceptible to hail damage than others. Aluminum siding might get dinged or dented by hair, but vinyl siding and wood shakes can crack. Large hailstones can even puncture roof shingles, especially in older roofs. Natural barriers, like trees, landscaping, fences and even nearby homes can help to shield you from damage as well.

How Can You Tell If Your Roof Has Hail Damage?

Different shingles will react differently. With asphalt or composition shingles, damage may appear to be random. Roof felt may be exposed and asphalt may appear to be shiny. Areas of impact may also be soft to the touch.

With wooden shingles, you’re looking for splits in the shingles. Splits may be brown or orange in color, with sharp corners and edges, or with little to no deterioration at all. 

All of that said, it can be difficult to determine if the damage on your roof is actually from hail, or if it's just normal wear and tear. Exposure to weather and sunlight over time will naturally age shingles and make them brittle. Blistering, cracking, loss of granules, flaking and the development of algae are also par for the course. 

Still, if you think hail has damaged your home, it pays to contact your insurance agent and discuss putting in a claim. And if the damage is significant enough that you need a tarp up to prevent further damage from the weather, call SERVPRO of The Southtowns at 716-646-6684 - we’re here to help.