Preventing Hail Damage to your Roof
You can’t control the weather, but you can control other factors to help protect your structure from hail storms and roof damage. Whether you have a commercial flat roof or a rubber-based membrane, continue reading to discover five tips that help combat hail damage.
5 Actions That Help Prevent Hail Damage to Your Roof
Here are a few effective measures you can take to mitigate hail damage to your roof:
1. Know How to Identify Incoming Hail
The first step to prevent hail damage to your roof is identifying incoming storms. There are a few signs that hail may fall, so if you notice these changes in the weather, start preparing:
Dark Clouds
One of the most ominous signs of incoming hail is a solid wall of dark clouds. Hail storms have no color gradient, so the entire sky will appear dark blue or gray.
Sudden Wind Gusts
A sudden wave of wind gusts or fluctuating drafts are a tell-tale sign that a violent hailstorm is approaching.
Quick Drops in Temperature
A quick drop in temperature can sometimes mean it’s getting colder in the atmosphere, which contributes to the creation of hail. You can also sign up for local weather alerts to send you warnings when hail storms are approaching, helping you better stay prepared.
Thunder or Lightning
If you see any thunder or lightning in the sky, it’s usually a solid indication rain is coming, and a potential quick hail storm with it.
2. Stay on Top of Preventative Maintenance
Even with adequate preparation, severe hailstorms can still pass through and damage your commercial roofing system. If you haven’t kept up maintenance, hail can make existing roofing issues even worse.
Commercial buildings tend to lift higher than their residential counterparts, so it’s crucial to invest in regular tune-ups. While you can’t prevent the incoming hail, you can mitigate the overall damage to your roof by ensuring it’s always in top shape.
3. Keep Your Commercial Roof and Gutters Clean
Similar to annual maintenance, keeping your roof clean won’t necessarily prevent hail damage, but it can protect your commercial property once hail strikes.
Excess debris on your roof’s membrane can weaken the underlying infrastructure, increasing the severity of hail damage during heavy storms. Additionally, overflowing gutters can become overburdened by the weight of hailstones, causing them to pull away from your building and create gaps where water can trickle into your facility.
4. In the Event of Hail Damage: Schedule an Inspection
If you notice hail damage on your roof, schedule an inspection as soon as possible. The timeliness of your service is critical when it comes to insurance claims. The longer you wait to make a claim, the less likely insurance will directly attribute the roof damage to a specific hailstorm.
To determine if the damage is significant enough for a professional inspection, look for any pieces of roofing material that have fallen off. Broken tiles or punctured membranes are often the most unmistakable evidence of hail damage. As a general rule of thumb, don’t forget to check around other parts of your commercial building’s exterior, such as:
- Gutters
- Parking lots (Cars)
- Plastic signs
If you notice any of these areas have dents, your roof has likely sustained some hail damage as well. With that being said, never attempt a roof inspection on your own. Climbing onto your roof is dangerous enough, and you don’t want to put yourself at risk when you don’t know what damage is waiting on top.
After a heavy hail storm, it’s always a good idea to contact your local roofing providers, so you don’t have to put yourself or your roof at further risk.
5. Always Partner With a Professional Roofing Service
Unfortunately, finding a professional provider isn’t as easy as it should be. To get the quality service you deserve, you must research potential companies to ensure they’re legitimate and reputable. Here is what to look for in a roofing contractor.
What Are Other Customers Saying?
Insight from past customers can be an extremely valuable tool in determining the quality of a roof repair company.
Look up local roofing contractors and read reviews from their previous clients. Pay attention to how satisfied customers are after receiving service, and stay clear of companies with consistently low ratings.
Are They Certified & Licensed?
Always be sure that your potential partner carries the required insurance validation. For any company to conduct roofing work in Philadelphia, they must hold an appropriate level of Worker’s Compensation in addition to maintaining a minimum of $1 million worth of General Liability coverage.
Does Your Commercial Building Have Hail Damage? Roof Repairs From Seal Roofing Can Help.
For over 25 years, Seal Roofing has helped the commercial business stay ahead of hail damage. We know what it takes to keep your roof in good shape. If you have hail damage on your roof, start a conversation with our expert team—we’re happy to help.