Hail forms when frozen water drops are lifted in turbulent wind regimes during thunderstorms. The frozen drops of water increase in size and eventually fall to earth as hail having been driven by a combination of gravity and wind forces. Hail stones vary in size from pea size (1/4 inch diameter, little roof damage), through marble size (3/4 inch in diameter, threshold damage to roof materials) to golf ball size (11/2 inch in diameter, typically severe damage to roofing materials). Hail size distributions tend to be localized with some roofs damaged, while others are not. Wind direction plays an important role, as well as roof pitch. A direct impact of hail on a shingle is more damaging than that of a glancing blow. Figure 1a illustrates the dynamics of
Figure 1a
hail impact on two different roof pitches. The home on the left would sustain more roof damage than that on the right, because of the more direct impact on the left as opposed to the less damaging, glancing, blow to the right. Wind conditions can distort damage to a home as illustrated in Figure 1b. The home on the left has more glancing blows to the roof from the
Figure 1b
wind, while the windward wall comes under attack from direct hail impact. The right wall is protected and undamaged from the hail. The home on the right will more likely sustain roof damage on the windward side because of the more direct impact. Assessing hail damage is often accomplished by a roof inspection, which usually occurs several days to several months after the hail event. Determination of whether hail actually fell at a site can be made through statements and weather reports. Inspection of thin, aluminum fixtures helps verify hail impact. Figure 2a shows denting on a roof vent cap indicating that hail had struck the vent at one time.
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
Figure 2b shows denting on a flue vent indicative of hail impact at one time. The denting on these two fixtures does not impede their function.
Figure 2c
Figure 2c shows deformation to condensing unit fins on an air conditioning system, as a result of a driving hailstorm. This damage does impair operation of the unit, in that air flow through the coils is reduced, causing higher refrigerant temperature, lost performance and lost reliability.
Figure 3 shows shredded and pock-marked paint from a driving hailstorm. The base wood was undamaged but repainting was required.
Figure 3 shows shredded and pock-marked paint from a driving hailstorm. The base wood was undamaged but repainting was required.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Hail damage to asphalt shingles includes severe granule loss, material removal at the edges of the shingles and penetration. Figure 4 shows grit loss from asphalt after pounding from a hailstorm. New asphalt shingles are more resistant to hail impact than older shingles since the asphalt becomes more brittle with age. Warmer shingles are more compliant and more resistant to fracture from hail when compared with colder shingles. Shingles rely on a structurally sound substrate for hail damage resistance. Flexible roof sheathing allows the shingles to flex during impact causing damage, while more rigid roof sheathing supports the shingle during impact resulting in less shingle damage.
F.A.Q.
Q: If I don't file my claim, my insurance company won't raise my rates.
A: After a disaster, insurance companies Allocate money to repair the damages by geographic location. This money is usually only available for 12 months after the storm date (May 25 - 11). After 12 months no more claims can be filed and the next year’s rates will be based on recouping that money. By not filing your claim, your personal rate increase is paying for everyone else's damage except yours.
Q: Will this cost me any money?
A: The insured is not required to pay anything except the deductable on their insurance policy.
Q: I looked at my roof and didn't see any problems or my roofer inspected it and there are no problems.
A: Roofing systems must be physically inspected by someone who has training and experience to determine if there is actual hail damage. Insurance companies send their adjusters too special training so they can properly identify hail damage to property, unfortunately there is not much ongoing training for the roofing or home inspection industries.
Q: I'm not missing any shingles so I must not have damage.
A: Missing shingles are related to wind damage claims and can happen during a hail storm if the winds are high enough. However hail damage is insidious in nature and may not physically cause leakage for years after a hail storm.
Q: I only have 1 year to file my insurance claim.
A: Many insurance companies do have a one year time limit and some even less, however due to the nature of hail damage they may pay claims past the deadline. This usually happens if a hail storm is widespread geographically.
Q: My roof is new so it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty, home builder, or contractor.
A: Manufacturer's specifically name hail as an exclusion to their product warranty, so do home builders and roofing contractors. Newer roofs can actually be more susceptible to hail damage versus older roofs due to the time it takes a new roof to cure from exposure to the elements.
Q: I was told my roof has minimal or very little damage and therefore I don't need to file a claim.
A: If your roof has any damage what-so-ever you have a valid insurance claim and should file with your insurance company. Damage might not cause your roof to leak for years. This is why it's important to have a qualified person inspect your roof.
Q: My insurance company will cancel my policy if I file a claim.
A: Most states prohibit insurance companies from cancelling policies for filing claims arising from severe weather related events. Check with your state however and your policy language as well.
This is the adjuster and I doing the inspection.
This is the adjuster totaling out a slope and finding 14 hail hits in a 10 by 10 test square.
Here is an example of some of the wind damage.
