Photo By Suzanne Tucker at Shutterstock
Reports of roof hail damage in Fort Worth and throughout Texas are some of the highest in the country. For the most part, hail season in Fort Worth, TX lasts from May to September, with the majority of hail events happening in June and July. Every year in Texas, hail costs businesses millions of dollars due to roof and building damage. Just a few years ago, Texas suffered more financially than any other state because of severe hail and wind events.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) refers to hailstones using size-specific terms. For example, “mothball” size hail is 1/2 inch in diameter while “penny” size hail is 3/4 inch in diameter. The largest hailstone ever recorded was a “grapefruit” size hailstone measuring over four inches in diameter.
If the roof of your business is subjected to a hail storm containing hailstones over “penny” size, it’s likely your roof will sustain some kind of damage. Call Longhorn Commercial Roofing to schedule an inspection of your roof to avoid more expensive repairs.
Signs of Roof Hail Damage–When to Call a Professional Commercial Roofing Company
Loosened Shingle Granules
Shingle granules can be knocked loose even by minor hailstorms. Check basins at the bottom of gutter drains for signs of washed-away granules. A few granules is no reason to worry but a pile of them is a clear indication your roof has suffered hail damage and needs to be inspected by a commercial roofing company.
Roofing granules protect shingles from the sun’s UV rays and provides strong support for their durability. Without granules, roof shingles would start deteriorating within a few months of exposure to weather and sunlight.
If you don’t see many granules but suspect your roof may have been damaged, don’t attempt to get on top of your roof. Call us first and we’ll do a detailed inspection for you!
Is Your Roof Bruised?
Roof “bruising” after a hailstorm involves dents on shingles that do not leave visible marks. You can check for shingle bruising by running your hand evenly over shingle surfaces to feel for depressions. If hail caused invisible indentations, these depressions will feel softer than the rest of the shingle.
The problem with neglecting hail bruising is that any soft spots on shingles may indicate a fracture on the mat or the underside of the shingle. As tiny cracks widen, leaking is likely to occur and worsen unless shingles are replaced.
Check Vents, Valleys and Metal Flashings for Dings
Soft metal will dent when it is hit by pea-sized or larger hailstones. The depth and size of dings in metal flashings and vents will give you a good idea just how big the hailstones were. If you find dings in these roof components, it’s feasible your roof sustained damage as well.
Be aware that tiny, dense pieces of hail may cause just as much damage to shingles as large hail. Powerful wind downdrafts blowing close to the ground can also drive hail forcefully against your roof. Alternately, updrafts tend to reduce the impact of a hailstorm. Another element decreasing hail damage to roofs is the existence of any kind of barrier between shingles and hailstones. Even a single layer of damp leaves or a tarp covering the roof can help protect shingles from extreme hail damage.
Shingle Materials and Hail Damage
Composite and asphalt shingles should be replaced when missing granules. Asphalt shingles missing granules reveal a layer of darker asphalt underneath protective granules. Shingles impacted by roof hail damage may appear dirty or mottled compared to undamaged shingles.
Wood and tile roof material generally responds to hail damage by denting, splitting, cracking or a combination of all three. Hail will deeply gouge or crack slate and clay roofs. Metal roofs show hail damage more visibly than other roof materials. Dings and dents can be spotted easily in partial or full sunlight.
Does No Leaks Mean No Hail Damage?
Not necessarily. Just because you haven’t noticed any discolored spots on your ceilings or other signs of roof damage doesn’t mean your roof is in good shape. Depending on roof material, age of roof at the time of a hailstorm and hail size, it could take months or even a year before you notice leaks. By then, it could be too late. In other words, you might need a complete roof replacement instead of shingle replacements.
Additionally, neglecting to repair a leaky roof could create a future nightmare involving extensive and expensive damage to electrical systems, walls, ceilings and valuable items stored in attics. Mold and mildew is another danger associated with roof leaks. Mold is known to promote asthma, upper respiratory infections, skin irritations and other health problems.
Play it safe and contact Longhorn Commercial Roofing in Fort Worth, TX after a hailstorm event for a comprehensive inspection of your roof.
Watch Out for Scammers After Hailstorms
Fort Worth, TX business owners are well aware of what happens immediately after major hail storms–the roof repair scammers, also called “storm chasers”, are out in full force, roaming the streets for unsuspecting victims. Storm scammers are people who travel all over the U.S. to places they know are going to get hit by severe weather. They then start knocking on doors, telling business owners they have roof damage that needs repairing as soon as possible and offer to do the roof work immediately and cheaply. However, they will ask for money upfront to buy materials to make repairs. They may also flash fake licenses or identification cards to “prove” they are legitimate contractors.
Of course, the scam is they will take your money and you’ll never see them again. Or they will buy a few shingles and do a bit of shoddy work before fleeing with your money.
Never give money to a door-to-door roof scammer after a hailstorm. Call Longhorn Commercial Roofing for a professional roof inspection today. We’ll let you know if your roof has been damaged by hail, how bad the damage is and what repairs should be done to prevent further damage.
