3 Things to Know About Hail Damage to Your Commercial Roof
It's a good practice to check for damage on the roofing of your building after a hailstorm. If you suspect the roof is damaged, call in a commercial roofing contractor to do an inspection no matter what type of roof you have. Fixing damage early could prevent a water leak and also ensure you file a claim with your insurance company on time. Here are three things to know about hail damage to commercial roofing.
1. Damage Might Not Be Obvious
Any type of roof can be damaged by hail, so know the signs to look for. Metal roofing might have dents, asphalt shingles may look like they have bruises or cracks. Membrane roofing could have punctures or cracks. Sometimes the cracks are so small they are easy to overlook, or you may not think something like missing granules is an important sign of roof damage.
That's why it's a good idea to let a commercial roofing contractor check your roof for hail damage. Small hail may not be much of a risk, but the amount of damage done also depends on the condition and age of the roof. An older roof is more susceptible to damage, but even a new roof can have significant damage from a single hailstorm.
2. Insurance Might Pay For a Roof Replacement
Understand the terms of your insurance policy regarding hail damage. Policies vary, so don't assume you have coverage. Find out for sure before the storm season starts. If your policy covers hail damage, you'll probably need to file a claim within a specific period, and this is good information to know in advance. If you have coverage and want to file a claim, your commercial roofing contractor may work directly with your insurance company to make things easier for you.
3. Leaks May Not Happen Soon After the Storm
Hail strikes might not cause leaks to happen right away. Instead, the impacts make the roofing weak so it ages much faster. Your roof might start leaking much later, and by then, you may not realize the hailstorm was to blame. Since hail can lead to leaks later on, be on the watch for signs of leaking such as water stains on your ceiling or walls and musty odors from mold growth.
If you see signs of a leak, call a roofing contractor right away to make repairs. If you have your roof inspected after the hailstorm, you may reduce the risk of leaks developing, but any time your roof is damaged or is leaking, you should take quick action to limit the amount of water damage that's done.