Here comes the hail! 20 states have seen an increase in hail damage between 2016 and 2021, including Illinois. One storm can destroy your roof and damage other pieces of your property, costing you thousands of dollars.
Yet you’re not helpless to hail damage to a roof. You can take the initiative before and after storms, as long as you know what to do to fix the damage.
How can you spot signs of damage after a hailstorm? How should you replace your metal panels? What else do you need to look out for?
Answer these questions and you can have a spotless roof for decades to come. Here is your quick guide.
Inspect Your Roof
After any hailstorm, you should inspect your roof for signs of hail roof damage. Go up on your roof and walk around to see if you notice dented panels or pools of water. You should also see if there are gaps between your panels or scratches in the metal.
If you cannot go up on your roof, you should call a roofing company and ask someone to make an inspection. If they notice damage, they can make fixes right away.
You should get roof inspections from professionals on a regular basis. Most inspections cost less than $200 and you can schedule an inspection to take place whenever you want.
An inspector can make immediate repairs to your damaged roof and give you advice on your next steps. If your inspector gives you the all-clear, you should still keep their contact information so you can schedule another inspection with them.
Trim Your Trees
When people think of roofing damage from hail, they usually think about the hail hitting the roof. But hail can also hit tree branches and snap them off, causing the branches to hit your roof. Even small branches are powerful enough to smash through panels, and the hail can cause further damage.
If branches are hanging over or near your roof, you must get them trimmed right away. Talk to a tree care company about your options for trimming them.
You should also learn how to spot dead trees. Signs of a dead tree include peeling bark and shedding leaves during the spring and summer. Dead trees must be removed entirely, as they can fall on your property at any moment, especially during storms.
Protect Your Windows and Walls
Many people focus on their roofs and neglect their skylights, shutters, and siding. You need to inspect these features of your building in addition to your roof. The metal panels may be okay, but a cracked skylight or a faulty shutter can lead to leaks and additional problems.
Make repairs to these areas as soon as you notice the damage. As with your metal panels, you should find exact replicas of them, as they are easier to install and provide better support to your roof.
Install storm windows that resist strikes from hailstones and high winds. Talk to a commercial window supplier to see what kinds of windows you can buy.
You should install shades or drapes over your windows. They will prevent broken glass or hailstones from flying into your building.
You should inspect your upper floor for any signs of leaks or wall damage as well. If you notice a leak, you should seal it with plywood boards and metal panels and then call a roofing company right away. Leaking water can enter your walls and cause structural problems.
Replace Your Roof
You should replace your roof if it has holes or numerous damaged panels. You should also think about a roof replacement if your roof is very old. Even if your roof seems sturdy, getting a replacement before the hail season starts can save you time.
Look at a few types of metal for your roof. Aluminum can last for years and resist wear and tear. Panels can reflect radiant heat, helping you keep the inside of your commercial building cool.
Steel is also very resistant to hail, erosion, and cracking. You can order recycled steel, reducing the impact of your roof replacement on the environment.
Corrugated metal has a wavy or rippled pattern, which can catch customers’ eyes from a distance. The waves also create channels for water and hail, deflecting them away from your building.
If you think the waves would not look good, you can get a standing seam roof. The seams are straight and long, channeling hail and debris away.
Copper roofs are no longer common in commercial buildings, as they can get dented easily. Tin roofs are also not common, so you should look at other materials if you have a copper or tin roof.
If you’re not interested in a metal roof, you can get a PVC roof. PVC is a plastic that can resist strikes from hailstones and deflect UV rays. Not every roofing company provides PVC or other plastic roofs, so look at your options before you buy one.
Fix Hail Damage to a Roof
Hail damage to a roof requires your immediate attention. You should inspect your roof and any storm and immediately replace damaged panels. Trim branches that can fall on your roof during storms.
Make sure your windows and shutters are functioning properly. If they seem broken, you should replace them. If you think your roof needs to be replaced, you should replace it and install a new type of metal.
Roof replacement professionals are waiting for your call. Williams Roofing and Construction serves the Springfield area. Contact us today.
