Hailstorms are considered to be the most dangerous type of precipitation. Hail has the potential to inflict major damage to a property in a short period of time. The hailstones that fall from the sky are solid; They form when an updraft in a thunderstorm carries water droplets so high that they freeze. Generally, the size of the hailstones is dependent on how strong the updraft is. Hailstones fall down only when they become too heavy for the updraft to support them.

The size of falling hailstones typically vary from pea-sized to baseball-sized; Their size has a huge bearing on the amount of damage you can expect to receive. It is important to understand that the longer the storm lasts, the more significant damage your property may endure.

What Parts Of Your Home Can Be Damaged by a Hail Storm?

Your roof is the first and foremost component of your house that takes the brunt of the hail storm. Within no time, a hail storm can cause serious damage to the entire roof. Such damages may be beyond repair and, if so, you need to get the roof replaced as soon as possible.

Damage Caused To The Roof: To identify hail damage to your roof, you can look at the shingles to see if there are any dents, missing granules, or circular cracking. Dents caused by hailstones can lead to a weak roof down the road. Granules on roof shingles are essentially the protectors of your roof shingles. If they are missing due to hail damage, your roof will not be able to handle harsh weather conditions in the future. If you do not treat any of these issues on an immediate basis then it can lead to more than just exterior repairs– you may need a whole new roof!

Damage Caused To Windows And Doors: Hail storm damage to your home’s windows and doors will usually be more obvious, as these damages are more visible to the eye. You can see cracks and chips in windows. If immediate actions are not taken to repair the damage in the right way, they will get worse over time.

Damage Caused To The Siding, Walls, Gutters: Hailstones can create dents and puncture your house’s siding. Hailstones bigger than one inch in diameter can punch holes through your siding, leaving you in immediate need of exterior restoration services. Not only are your windows and siding victims to hail damage, but your rain gutters can also be dented or loosened.

How To Protect Your Property From a Hail Storm?

  • Put all your vehicles safely in the garage or cover them with a thick blanket.
  • Try to cover outdoor items and furniture.
  • Always keep your eaves and gutters clear of debris to reduce the risk of ice dams and water damage.
  • Trim the trees and big branches that could fall on your home.
  • Repair all the damaged areas on your roof. If you are planning to get a new roof, consider impact-resistant asphalt shingles.
  • Consider installing impact-resistant storm shutters to cover windows, skylights, and sliding doors.

What Immediate Steps Should Be Taken When You Face A Hail Storm?

Whatever damage a hailstorm brings, you will need to contact a reliable repair and restoration company to fix your home after the damage happens. Keep a record of when the hail storm occurred since the date will matter to the insurance company. Inspect your property after the storm and make notes about the damages your find– take photos or videos if possible. You can ask professional restoration contractors to come to your house for an inspection to analyze the damage. Indeed, hire a professional and trusted restoration service provider to help you with assessing the damage and filing the insurance claim. Professional restoration contractors are experienced and can help you file all the important documents and get a proper insurance claim.

Summary:

Generally, a strong hailstorm can cause serious damage to your property and it can be one of the most devastating storms you could experience in your lifetime. Once hailstones get bigger than an inch in diameter, damage can be very serious to your house, including your roof, skylights, gutters, etc. It’s good to be prepared with a contractor in mind should a hailstorm hit, so you can call them the day after for an assessment of the damage done.