If you’ve lived in the Midwest for a while, then you’re no stranger to the unpredictable weather that we experience throughout every season. More specifically, the summer months tend to be the most volatile months for weather activity. With scorching hot temperatures, torrential downpours, high winds, and even the risk of tornadoes or derechos; you truly never know what your commercial building might experience during the summer. Many homes and businesses recently experienced extreme hail damage throughout Central Iowa and the rest of the state in the early part of July 2021. As a result, many business owners experienced minor to substantial damage to their commercial flat roof(s). These are the steps you should take when your building has experienced hail damage.

Inspect For Potential Hail Damage

Once the storm has passed and it is safe for you to access the roof of your building, there are a few signs you should look for that might indicate that hail damage has occurred.

  • Dents, punctures, & fractures: Depending on the size and density of the hail, there is a chance that you will see circular indentations or punctures on the roof. The damage that your roof sustains can heavily depend on the material that your roof is made of. Aluminum roofs are likely to dent while asphalt roofs are prone to being punctured all the way through. If your commercial roof is composed of a PVC membrane, it is far less susceptible to dent or puncture due to the strong molecular bond that the membrane is composed of. However, a strong enough storm can cause fractures that might develop over time.
  • Check for standing water: If there is standing water on your roof 48-72 hours after the storm has passed, then you might have a larger problem at hand. Ponding water means that there is structural damage which is prohibiting your roof from properly draining water.
  • Look for interior water stains: If hail has punctured your roof, there is a chance that water from the storm has started leaking into the interior of your building. It’s important to check for water stains on the ceilings, walls, and floors after every thunderstorm. Not addressing water damage inside of your commercial building can lead to mold breakouts.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

No matter how severe the damage to your flat roof might be from a thunderstorm, we always recommend that you reach out to your insurance agent if there is any damage at all. It’s worth noting that commercial and industrial building insurance policies differ from traditional homeowners’ policies, so make sure you’re aware of your policy’s coverage when it comes to hail damage.

If you find that your roof has obtained hail damage from a recent hail storm, make sure to photograph everything! By everything, we mean everything. When it comes to filing an insurance claim for roof damage, you can never have too many photos. Quality photos play a crucial role in the filing process for insurance agents and adjusters.

A photo of golf-ball sized hail held in someone's hand.

(photo by Sarah Kelly/Radio Iowa)

Tips for Minimizing Potential Storm Damage

While we can never truly stop what a ferocious storm might do to your building, there are a few ways that you can minimize the potential damage that your roof might obtain.

 

  • Utilize trees: Planting trees around your building can help you more than simply cutting down on energy costs. Trees can act as natural barriers for high-speed winds that thunderstorms bring with them. However, there are pros and cons to this. While a number of trees might reduce how much wind your roof gets hit with, there is always the chance that a branch flies off or that a tree might even fall onto your structure.
  • Upgrade to a PVC Membrane: Installing or replacing your roof with a PVC membrane is the best decision that you will ever make when it comes to maximizing the strength of your commercial roof. The Duerson Corporation exclusively uses Duro-Last PVC roofing products for all of our commercial and industrial projects because they are leak-proof, resistant to high winds, and virtually maintenance free.

Get in Touch With Commercial Roofing Experts

In the event that your commercial or industrial building’s roof has obtained hail damage, do not hesitate to get in contact with The Duerson Corporation. It is imperative that the roofing damage is addressed immediately to avoid expensive long-term costs for your business. The Duerson Corporation has been helping local and national businesses protect their commercial roofs since 1986. If you are unsure about the current status of your commercial roof, reach out to us about a free professional roof inspection!