The Insurance Information Institute reports that, in 2019, the United States experienced 5,392 hail events with hailstones of one inch in diameter or larger. Those storms impacted millions of properties.
Some may assume that your commercial metal roof is just fine and that any dents from hail are merely cosmetic issues. This may be true, but your roof could also have damage that’s not immediately visible to the naked eye. Those dents need to be carefully inspected for additional cracks.
Fortunately, there are advanced aging tests that can be done to show that areas of the roof are not as sound as other areas due to hail. WaterTight Roofing has seen it all. We’ll work with you to document the extent and cause of the damage, as well as provide necessary information about the damage and repair costs. You can provide this roof restoration information to your insurance for a seamless process to get your roof back to pre-storm condition.
Hail Damage in Texas
It’s no secret that everything is bigger and better in Texas, from the size of your boots to the flavor of your steak dinner. Unfortunately, that old saying is also true about the weather. You may not ever worry about a blizzard burying your property, but you still have ice problems in the form of hail. These destructive balls of ice can be enormous, and Texas business owners have had their fair share of experience with hail damage.
With hail occurring fairly regularly around these parts, you’re right to be worried about the state of your roof. There’s good news and bad news about metal roofs when it comes to hail, though. Here’s what you need to know.
Metal Roofs are Tough
If you have a metal roof, give yourself a pat on the back: Metal roofing is the toughest structural material when it comes to protecting your business against hail damage, bar none. The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues Inc. (RICOWI) does a good deal of their testing in Texas and Oklahoma, and they found that — even during a storm in Irving, TX that dropped 4-inch hailstones — the metal roofs studied were never punctured, only dented. That’s the sound of your metal roof doing its job.
How Hail Damages Metal Roofs
Unfortunately, no roof — not even a metal one — lasts forever, and hail damage can lead to long-term problems that develop over time. Hailstones large enough to dent your metal roof can also lead to hairline cracks in the finish or rubberized coating that can, over time, allow the tiniest bit of water to seep through. Water is the enemy of metal, and this hidden seepage can lead to rust eating away at your roof over time. If your roof is rusting out in places you can’t see, you’re at risk of the next storm breaking through the weakened structure. This damage can occur even if you don’t notice any leaks.
Call WaterTight Roofing ASAP after a hailstorm so we can assess the damage and get started on repairing or replacing your metal roof to protect your valuable property. Our long-term experience in storm restoration and loss analysis makes the process as seamless as possible. Let WaterTight do it right.
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