Hail is a form of weather that can cause quite a bit of damage to homes and businesses alike. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail can damage everything from homes, cars, to aircraft. It can even be deadly to both livestock, animals, and people. And while you might not think that hail damage is all that common to buildings, it is more common than you might think!

The NOAA has an Annual Severe Weather Report Summary that covers three different types of severe weather throughout the United States. These three types of severe weather include tornadoes, severe wind, and severe hail. And in the 2023 report, a total of 6,962 hail events were reported, with both Texas and Nebraska having the largest number of hail events for that year.

With that number of severe hail events in mind, it is important to understand just why you should not leave hail damaged roof repairs in Columbus, Ohio until the last minute. And while hail damage may seem like something you can put off, especially because it may not be as easy to catch yourself, there are number of reasons as to why you should not ignore it.

Below, let’s take a look at some important reasons as to why you should never ignore hail damage on your roof.

Extending Your Roof’s Lifespan

A roof of any material type is a very important addition to a building. It is often a costly addition as well, one that is intended to protect anyone inside of the building from the outside elements for years to come. But to help extend the overall lifespan of your roof, proper maintenance and repair work is required.

So, if you decide to ignore any hail damage caused to your roof, you run the risk of shortening the overall lifespan of your roof. By not addressing damage, no matter how minor or severe it may be, you open your roof up to long term damage that can grow worse over time. This can shorten the lifespan of your roof.

But timely repairs of hail damage can help to keep your roof in working order, ensuring that it is not damaged for a long period of time and remains a durable, protective part of your home for as long as possible.

Reduce Possibility of Bigger Roof Issues

Just like any other type of damage to your roof has the potential to lead to even bigger roof issues, the same can be said for hail damage. If you leave hail damage unaddressed for too long, you run the risk of opening your roof and home up to even larger roofing issues.

For example, say that some severe hail damages a number of shingles on your roof. This can open your roof up to minor leaking issues initially. The next time it rains, you might notice a leak or two coming from your roof. If you do not address those damaged shingles, the leaking can get progressively worse over time due to water continuing to enter your home through the damaged shingles. Damaged shingles can lead to water leaks which can lead to structural damage over a long enough period of time.

So, to help reduce the possibility of bigger roof issues for your home or commercial building, be sure to connect with a company that handles storm damage roof repair in Columbus, Ohio.

Help Prevent Structural Issues

Hail can greatly vary in size. The NOAA lists the smallest size of hail as that of a marble or moth ball at .50 inches to the largest size being that of a grapefruit at 4.50 inches. This shows us that hail can be relatively small or quite large. But no matter the size of the hail, it can still cause lasting damage – both on the surface of your roof and within.

Hail damage can certainly just be relegated to the surface of your roof, but it can also be internal as well. Hail can dent and crack roofing which opens up the potential for water to get inside of the roof. This can lead to water damage that impacts things like support beams, wiring, insulation, and any attic spaces beneath the roof itself.

Ensure That You Receive Insurance Coverage

Home insurance policies cover different types of damage that can occur to a home, including hail damage. These policies typically have a set time period in which you need to both report and address any roof damage that hail has caused. If you do not follow the set guidelines from your insurance policy, you can run the risk of having any insurance claim you file be denied.

To help ensure that you receive insurance coverage from any hail damage, be sure to address the damage and needed repairs as soon as possible. You may want to reach out to a company that offers hail damage roof repairs in Columbus, Ohio to have a professional look at the damage and handle the repair work.

Note: You will want to check that your home insurance or roof insurance policy covers hail damage. Different policies cover different types of damages.

About the Author

J.F. Baker’s Sons Roofing Company is a local, family-owned roofing company based in Columbus, Ohio that has been operating for more than 90 years. Originally founded in 1929, J.F. Baker’s Sons Roofing Company has offered a full range of roofing services to Ohio customers including roofing installation, repair, and replacement. They have become a trusted name in the roofing industry, and they work on both commercial and residential buildings. To learn more about the services they offer, including storm damage roof repair in Columbus, Ohio, contact their team over the phone or by reaching out online.