Hailstorms and Your Commercial Roofing System

Hail is one of the most damaging naturally occurring elements impacting your roofing system. One reason for this is due to the fact that hail damage is relatively hard to detect, especially by the untrained eye. Oftentimes, building owners assume that punctures are the only possible damages that result from hailstorms, but those are extreme cases.

Hail is also incredibly costly to building owners. Check out this video, which depicts how hail in Texas caused nearly $2 billion worth of damage - in just one month! Typically, hail causes $1 billion worth of damages over the course of a year.

Fear not, there are some preventative steps you can take to help minimize the effects of hail damage on your roofing system.

Starting from the Beginning

Each roofing system has their own properties which make them more or less resistant to certain threats. If your area is more prone to experiencing hailstorms, be sure to choose a roofing system that has some level of hail resistance associated with it. Consult area contractors and your peers to gauge the performance of various roofing systems in order to help you find the best solution for your commercial building.

Trim Trees Regularly

Hail can cause damage to the trees surrounding, or on, your property. As a result, branches or entire trees can come down and strike your roofing system. This could cause cracks, punctures, or gaping holes to occur depending on the severity. Take the time to trim back any branches that might pose a threat and keep landscaping within a safe distance from your roof.

Install Protection

Chances are your commercial property will have equipment, such as a HVAC, installed on the roof that are vulnerable to hail damage. Protect this equipment by installing protective shields. While this is an added expense, it is well worth it. The cost of installation pales in comparison to  completely replacing your exposed equipment in the event of damage.

Inspections are Key

It is essential to perform a roof inspection after any major storm in order to protect your roofing system and prevent any further damages from occurring. Reach out to a trained contractor as soon as possible after a storm and be sure to ask questions to ensure your system is getting the attention it needs. It is important to note that these inspections do not replace your typical inspections - you should still have one inspection in the spring and one in the fall to preserve the integrity of your roofing system.

What other preventative steps do you take to protect your roofing system from hail damage? Tell us about them in the comments.