Spring is finally here and while the warming temperatures are a welcome respite from what was a cold, harsh winter, the heat brings with it a chance for severe thunderstorms. Depending on how the weather elements set up in the atmosphere, any potential for severe weather exists this time of year bringing with it high winds, lightning, and the potential for many other damage causing weather phenomenons – tornadoes and specifically hail.
Though a rare occurrence, depending on the size, the damage inflicted from hail can be extreme – especially if the event occurs over an extended period of time. Anything left exposed to the elements is in danger from cars, decks, and especially homes. The roofline is a first line of defense against Mother Nature but as a solid surface area, has the unfortunate characteristic of being prone to a serious amount of damage depending on the severity and nature of any storm.
However, not only is the home’s roof in danger, there are other exposed areas of vulnerability as well. Following is a look at residential aspects which may be affected by damaging spring storms, in particular any that are severe enough to produce hail.
Hail
A form of precipitation falling from the sky, hail is made from frozen water droplets that descend to the earth while remaining completely in tact. These stones vary by differing sizes and can produce a significant amount of damage to property below when it lands.
Unlike freezing rain, which falls as water and then freezes just prior to reaching the ground, these hailstones fall completely in one piece from the upper regions of thunderstorm clouds as a solid. The force behind these hailstones have damaging propositions depending on their size – commonly ranging from just centimeters to a few inches in diameter. Comparable in size to everyday objects, hailstones are often referred to as dime, quarter, golf ball, baseball, and sometimes even softball sized hail.
Roof
Absorbing a majority of the impact from hailstones will be the roof of your residence. While there are different styles and roof types, the wide exposed surface area makes them extremely vulnerable to potential damage from anything falling out of the sky.
Stones can damage the shingles or dent metal roofs which could create the opportunity for immediate breaches or future failures in their ability to withstand and reject water. Depending on the size of the hailstones falling, being able to spot hail damage from the ground may not be possible. However, for a trained expert getting the damage surveyed and fixed up top can be extremely beneficial to a homeowner – especially when attempting to avoid any future break downs or file an insurance claim.
Gutters
Not only will the shingles or metal roof be exposed to damage but the gutter system as well. On any roof where shingles are used, the damage caused by hail can create a removal of the initial layer which is then washed into the gutter system. If your gutters are filled with granules from the roof then a closer inspection is warranted.
In addition, both the roofline and downspouts may be damaged from sizeable hailstones. Look for bends or breaks along the gutter system to ensure it hasn’t been impacted from the storm.
Siding
Just as rain is blown by the wind, hail can be pushed into the siding of a home during a strong storm. The stones can cause cracking, displacement, and even holes in the vinyl siding of a property with the right combination of wind and sizing.
Although a roof and the gutter system may be more prone to absorbing a significant amount of the damage, the siding should not be forgotten. Especially if signs of storm damage exist on the roof itself and along the gutter system, a thorough examination of any vinyl siding construction is warranted.
Other
After viewing the potential damage to any of the aforementioned surface areas, a few other closer to the ground items may reveal some damage. If you’re wondering about the potential for damage to your roof without having to immediately grab a ladder and scale the side of your residence then consider checking these other, more easily accessible items for signs of damage.
The mailbox, deck, air conditioning unit, or a car parked outside, could all reveal damage from hailstones falling from the sky. If your vehicle has dents along the roof and hood then a closer examination of your roof is warranted. In addition, any metal mailboxes or the air conditioning unit may also have received some damage that would appear similarly to that which is noticed on an automobile
Finally, a stained or painted deck may display chipping where the stones have peeled away paint or the outer protective covering. All of these areas are far more easily accessible than the roof of a structure and although damage may be up top without any other signs below, if the ground level articles reveal hail was present and damaging, then having a professional out to ensure your home is safe from any potential breach from damage is important.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, quality service has been our priority in Denver and the surrounding area for years as we handle any and all roofing needs. Arvada Roofing and Construction has been completing roof installations, evaluations, and multiple other exterior household projects or associated services for nearly two decades. Their highly trained experts can provide an estimate on any repair, remodel, or now construction project, if needed, as well as any inspection you wish to have completed. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned about the effectiveness of your roof or already have an issue, we are here to help. Our certified and extremely knowledgeable staff is available to handle any construction or roofing job and provide a variety of other services such as seamless guttering systems, or any potential damage analysis thought to be caused by severe weather for the purposes of insurance reporting. Contact us today online or call 303-432-2753 for your free estimate on any of the above mentioned projects!