How To Spot Hail Damage

Large hail of ice taken from ground, on palm, on background of green grass in summer
Large hail of ice taken from ground, on palm, on background of green grass in summer

Your roof can’t hide from the elements. Rain or shine, your roof keeps the entire building safe. However, it’s easy to forget that your commercial roof isn’t invincible. Hail can seriously damage your roof, posing a threat to the integrity of your entire building. The single-ply membrane is vulnerable to punctures from sharp objects like fallen limbs or hail stones. If a roof is older, it may become more brittle, causing it to crack under the strike of a hailstone. Hail can also damage metal canopies or even break out plastic skylight domes. It’s essential to check your roof for damage after a hail event so you’ll know how to move forward with any repairs. Ignoring or not addressing hail damage on your commercial roof can lead to significant problems.

If you’ve experienced hailstones, check your roof for any damage once conditions are safe. The first thing to look for is cracks or dents in your ceiling and signs of hail damage. Based on your roof’s material, the damage could appear in different colors, such as white, black, yellow, or red. Take pictures of all the damage you see, even if you’re not sure it was caused by hail. This documentation will help you when it’s time to process your insurance claim.

Next, contact your insurance company. You’ll want to confirm whether your roof is covered or under warranty. At this point, it’s time to consider your roof repairs. While there are ways you could do it yourself, there are several risks involved, especially if you’re not a certified professional. If you’re not an accredited professional, some hazards include making the damage worse; some of the worst risks involve agitating the damage already there, personal injury, and wasting time and money due to inexperience. 

You deserve the best, most reliable repair services for your roof. A preventative measure we suggest when repairing is adding a rigid substrate that can be installed under the membrane to lessen the risk of a puncture from sharp objects, such as a dense deck or wood, in the future. At Mid-South Roof Systems, we combine our 30+ years of experience with our core values of excellence, efficiency, and knowledge. We’re always on time, on budget, and reliable. To request a consultation, call us today at (404) 361-5154. 

Posted in

Categories

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ?

Sign up for our newsletter to get fresh articles, updates and more!

Cleaning and Maintaining Gutters

Your commercial roof’s gutter system plays a critical role in preserving your roof. Low-slope commercial roofs are especially susceptible to standing water, also known as “ponding”, when gutters and drains are not doing the job properly. Ponding water on your roof can add considerable weight and pressure to your roof system, leading to leaks and…

Read More »

Mid-South Roof Systems worker carrying bucket, commercial roof warranties

What’s Covered and What Isn’t: Know Your Warranties

Warranties are similar to insurance policies, and, like all insurance policies, it’s a complicated topic with a ton of fine print. There are three different parties that issue warranties in most commercial roofing situations: The general contractor The roofer The roofing manufacturer A Typical Set of Warranties Let’s look at a theoretical example of a…

Read More »