According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, significant hailstorms can result in millions, sometimes even billions, of dollars in damages to commercial roofs, siding and roof-mounted equipment. At such a high cost, business owners may assume that they can wait to fix any hail damage to their property, as other repairs or business costs become a priority. Find out the risks of waiting to fix hailstorm damage with tips from us, the experts.
EVEN SMALL HAIL CAN CAUSE BIG DAMAGE.
Hail that is less than 1.25 inches in diameter usually won't damage commercial roof coverings. However, if your roof has 3-tab asphalt shingles, hail as small as 1 inch can cause damage. Don't assume that because a recent hail storm didn't seem severe, your roof wasn't damaged. The longer you wait to fix small issues, the more expensive repairs may be.
IF NOT REPAIRED, HAIL DAMAGE CAN LEAD TO BIGGER ISSUES.
Even if you don't see water leaking into your building, that doesn't mean your roof hasn't suffered serious damage. Hail storm damage that is left untreated can, over time, lead to cracks and holes in your roof. These cracks can cause roof leaks and failures, which may even lead to mold and flooding issues. If you wait to treat minor hail damage, it could cost your business.
COSMETIC DAMAGE COULD HURT YOUR COMPANY.
Hail damage to your roof can be classified as functional or cosmetic damage. Functional damage needs to be repaired immediately, since your roof is no longer functioning as it should. Cosmetic damage, on the other hand, doesn't affect your roof's functionality, it just looks unsightly.
However, even cosmetic damage should be repaired as soon as possible. Cosmetic damage can easily develop into functional damage. The next hail storm could further damage these already compromised areas, leading to even larger repair costs. Furthermore, the appearance of your company matters to customers and clients. If your building has cosmetic damage, they may take their business elsewhere.
YOU MAY HAVE ISSUES WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER.
If you wait to make an insurance claim, repair costs may not be covered. If your insurance provider learns that damage was caused because your roof was left untreated after a storm, you could potentially find yourself in violation of your policy, meaning any reparations must be paid out of your own pocket. To stay on the safe side, make a claim as soon as you notice hail damage. That way, the damage won’t have a change to develop into something bigger.
To help protect your roof from any type of weather damage, use the Roof Coverings and Best Practices Guide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the event that your business does experience weather damage, call on us, the experts. Our severe weather and storm clean-up services work fast to restore your building to pre-loss conditions and help get you back to business as fast as possible.
