Whether you live in an area that’s prone to severe weather or not, your commercial business’s roof is still vulnerable to the elements. If you’ve noticed unusual changes in your building, like leaks and higher electricity costs, your roof could be damaged.
Keep reading to better understand signs of wear and tear on your roof, especially hail damage.
When to Call an Inspector About Roof Hail Damage
Hail is one of the biggest causes of roof damage and could be detrimental if left untreated.
For your safety, while you should leave the full-on roof inspection to a professional, there are other indicators of hail damage that lots of commercial business owners don’t recognize until it’s too late.
To avoid having a false sense of security about the stability of your roofing system, familiarize yourself with some of the most common signs of hail damage, like:
- Loose granules in your yard – Hail tends to knock off the protective asphalt coating on shingles and expose it to the elements. If you notice lots of tiny pieces around your property, they could be coming from your roof.
- Sudden leaks – If your commercial building is suddenly experiencing leaks when it rains, your roof may have encountered more damage than the usual wear and tear.
- Spikes in energy costs – Unexplained spikes in your business’s energy bills can indicate poor insulation from a damaged roof.
If your commercial business is experiencing any of these symptoms, err on the side of caution and contact a roofing contractor immediately.
What Size Hail Damages Roofs?
Hail tends to vary in size, but the larger the hail, the increased risk of damage to your roofing system. It’s generally agreed upon that hail larger than one inch in diameter will damage your roof and warrant filing an insurance claim.
However, depending on your roof type, there are different stipulations for which hail sizes are less likely to cause damage and which are a huge cause for concern.
Metal Roofs
Metal roof hail damage is especially common for commercial facilities. Since the structure of metal roofs is much different from the average asphalt shingle roofing system, there are lots of myths and misinformation about how this roofing material is affected by hailstorms.
Hail size, metal thickness, roof slope, and roof deck type are some of the most important factors affecting the level of hail damage on a metal roof. Hail that’s more than two inches in diameter are the greatest threats to metal roofing systems, especially in states like Texas, Colorado, and Kansas which are prone to tennis ball-sized hail.
Metal roof types like steel, aluminum, and copper are also susceptible to denting and puncturing, but there are clear differences between the two:
- Denting is cosmetic damage that doesn’t compromise the roof’s structure.
- Puncturing causes leaks and structural failures and requires the maintenance of a roofing contractor.
Flat Roofs
Flat roof hail damage is also common in commercial buildings. Depending on the material of the commercial flat roof, hail from between ½ an inch to 2 ½ inches in diameter can damage the structure. Lots of other factors can worsen the condition of your commercial flat roofs, like:
- Age – The greater your roof’s age, the weaker it is at protecting your facility.
- Wind – Intense winds can blow even the smallest of hailstones with a force that damages your roof.
- Barriers – Without the assistance of natural barriers like trees and awnings to absorb the brunt force of the hailstorm, your roof could face more damage.
The Dangers of Neglecting Your Roof Inspections
Regardless of your roof type, once a professional has identified signs of serious hail damage, they’ll submit a report to your insurance company and handle your claim. But why wait for a severe hail storm to call a professional?
Instead of addressing an issue after it’s already become a financial burden, you should set up regular roof inspections overseen by professionals. As a business owner, you can gain peace of mind knowing your business will benefit from:
- Increased revenue, as the money you invest will work in your favor
- Greater coverage with emergency service plans
- Transparency about your roof’s age, quality, and risk of weather damage
Choose Parsons for Your Commercial Roof Repair
Parsons Commercial Roofing is a top commercial roofing contractor. Operating for over four generations, we’re a family-owned business that loves giving back to the community.
We’ll handle all of your unique roofing needs, from installation and preventative maintenance to emergency repair. We’re available 24/7, so when severe weather strikes, our emergency team is ready to get your business back up and running as soon as possible. We know our clients have businesses to run, so our team of roofing insurance specialists can help navigate the insurance process so you don’t have to.
