Hail Damage Assessment
McBride Construction is licensed in Arizona, Bonded, and Insured and qualified to perform a thorough inspection of your roof system for storm damage. We pay particular attention to both visible and non-visible damage through proper testing equipment that can be done on site.
The extent of roof hail damage depends on the nature of the roof system, e.g., materials and design as well as the force produced by the impact of falling hailstones. Other factors, such as age and surface temperature at time of impact, may also come into play.
Hail damage can be cosmetic or substantial. The effects of hail damage often can be readily seen. But, visual observation of roof surfaces often does not reveal the serious damage. This may include weakening of granular adhesion, fractures, punctures and the like. Damage to the substrate also can occur. In such cases, testing is required to help determine the extent of the damage to the roof system’s components. Unfortunately, some damage may not be apparent until after months or years of exposure. If substantial damage has occurred, the roof system’s waterproofing integrity is at risk and its service life threatened.
Hail and Storm Damage does qualify for an insurance claim in Arizona if the damage is visible to the roof and will affect its lifetime integrity. Even though a hail damaged roof may not leak for a couple years, it’s long term durability has been compromised. In many situations, a property owner’s insurance will cover an entirely new roof (which comes with a new warranty). In Phoenix, during October 2010 there was a severe hail storm in Phoenix which caused major damage to flat roofs (eg foam roofs), skylights, shingles, tile and more.
In many situations it is easy to see the damage (broken glass, roof leaks, etc). However, in many situations it is not as visible. It takes a trained eye (either a contractor, insurance agent, or roof inspector) to properly gauge the damage of a hail storm. All Phoenix residents and commercial property owners in hail damaged areas are strongly urged to check with a licensed contractor or with their insurance agent to see if they had hail damage. Most don’t realize that hail damage comprises not only the integrity of a roof, but also the roofs warranty.
According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, hail causes more than $1.6 billion worth of damage in an average year to residential roofs in the United States. The easiest way to tell if you had hail damage is to look at any metal vents, gutter down spouts, AC mechanical units or any damage along the ground of the property. If damage exists, call McBride Construction at 623.516.2400. Early estimates in Phoenix are showing over 200,000 homes and commercial buildings were affected by the monsoon hail storm in October.
Homeowners and Property Owners and Managers should check their roofs immediately. McBride Construction Roofing offers a free inspection (that comes with a report and photos for an insurance claim if needed). Potentially the property will get a new roof and warranty covered by insurance, which increases the value of the property. There is nothing to lose.
If interested or if you have any questions regarding the insurance claim process, please call our office at 623.516.2400.
In most cases, hail damage will not cause an immediate threat to your roof. However, your roof’s life expectancy will have decreased drastically. The deteriorated protection from your roof is the reason why insurance companies will pay for a full replacement.
ADVICE: Avoid storm chasers! A hail damaged roof doesn’t pose an immediate threat, but should be taken care of in a timely manner. Be sure to check your roofer’s license at the AZ Registrar of Contractors before signing a contract! Make sure they are not an out of town roofer and check for local references.
The Most Severe Hail Damage May Not Be Visible!
HAIL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
McBride Construction is licensed in Arizona, Bonded, and Insured and qualified to perform a thorough inspection of your roof system for storm damage. We pay particular attention to both visible and non-visible damage through proper testing equipment that can be done on site.
The extent of roof hail damage depends on the nature of the roof system, e.g., materials and design as well as the force produced by the impact of falling hailstones. Other factors, such as age and surface temperature at time of impact, may also come into play.
Hail damage can be cosmetic or substantial. The effects of hail damage often can be readily seen. But, visual observation of roof surfaces often does not reveal the serious damage. This may include weakening of granular adhesion, fractures, punctures and the like. Damage to the substrate also can occur. In such cases, testing is required to help determine the extent of the damage to the roof system’s components. Unfortunately, some damage may not be apparent until after months or years of exposure. If substantial damage has occurred, the roof system’s waterproofing integrity is at risk and its service life threatened.
INSPECTION AND TESTING
A thorough inspection for damage is recommended after exposure to a hail storm. Our qualified representative will initially do a “walk over” of the roof system noting the extent, type and intensity of visible damage. We give particular attention to the more vulnerable roof areas including flashings, seams, material edges, and unsupported areas. The Representative will probe questionable areas to decide if further study is warranted. If substantial damage is suspected, testing may be required.
Samples should be taken from the damaged areas. The samples and the exposed substrates are examined for defects caused by the hailstones impact. The components or plies of bituminous-based materials can be separated by solvent extraction or other suitable means to establish the full extent of concealed damage. We accomplish this on-site with proper equipment. Specific testing techniques are required to detect hidden damage to other materials such as single-ply membranes, shingles, metal, and inorganic materials.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
The only way to repair a roof system damaged by hail back to its pre-storm integrity is to replace the roof system entirely.
DAMAGE GROUPING
Various generic roof systems are susceptible to distinctive types of hail damage. It is beneficial to become familiar with the types of damage associated with generic systems for inspection and testing purposes. Some examples and a chart follow:
Hail Damage Chart for Roofing Types
Membrane fracture, flashing puncture and cracking, interior ply fracture or separation, interface separation between membrane and substrate, and substrate damage.
Modified Bitumen:
Weakening of granular adhesion, granule loss, cracking, puncture, insulation facer separation, substrate delamination and substrate damage.
Single-Ply Membranes:
Indentation, puncture, cracking, shatter, substrate damage, fracture at fasteners and membrane/substrate delamination.
Weakening of granular adhesion, granule adhesion loss, fracture, puncture, component delamination, and valley flashing and substrate damage.
Prepared Roofing:
Wood Shingles:
Shatter, cracking, fracture and substrate damage.
Indentation, creasing, coating adhesion loss and puncture.
Sprayed Polyurethane Foam:
Source: Hail Damage to Roofing: Assessment and Classification
Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Roofing Technology
