Understanding the Damage That Hailstorms Can Cause to Your Roofing

1. July 5, 2017 Understanding the Damage That Hailstorms Can Cause to Your Roofing No part of your home takes a beating quite like your roof. After all, it’s your first line of defense against the elements, ensuring your comfort while keeping your precious belongings safe from harm. Not surprisingly, roofs often get damaged in the line of duty—especially given sometimes ornery weather. This is especially true during hailstorms, which pelt roofs with solid pieces of ice. Just what damage can hail cause to roofing in homes in and around Tulsa? Page | 1

2. Granule Loss As a hailstorm crash lands on your roof, it may cause a depression on the shingles and accompanying granule loss. Far from being just a cosmetic defect, loose granules will expose your shingles’ asphalt coating to the elements, which may lead to premature deterioration. Hence, it’s not enough to simply slather on asphalt cement on the damaged area—this is but a temporary solution. Fractured or Exposed Fiberglass Mat The fiberglass mat beneath your shingles reinforces your roof. A damaged shingle can expose this mat to the elements and compromise the integrity of your roofing. The damage may not always be visible, too—sometimes, the impact may cause both the shingle and the mat beneath it to crack. This hidden fracture may later develop into bigger cracks and tears in time. Loosening of Self-Seal Strip Modern shingles come with self-sealing strips above the cutouts and the fasteners. Its function is to hold down the individual shingles. When the strips are damaged, shingles are more likely to be blown off during the next storm. Once a piece of shingle has come loose, it will inevitably result in further damage down the line. Of course, you can predict the exact the severity of hailstorm damage to your roof. That being said, there are several factors that can affect the severity, such as: Wind conditions: The strength of the wind during a hailstorm can affect how hard the hailstones hit, and which part of your roof will be damaged. Size and density: Hailstones can be as small as a pea or as large as a softball. As you might expect, the bigger the stone, the bigger the damage it can potentially cause. Page | 2

3. Barriers: Are there trees around your home? Is the house next to you taller than your home? Structures like these can actually shield your home somewhat, lessening the impact of hailstones. Building materials: Different roofing materials absorb the impact of hailstones differently. Some are more resilient than others, so the damage may be more or less compared to other roofs. As you can see, a hailstorm can be extremely damaging to your roof, and there are many factors that affect the severity. After a hailstorm hits, be sure to get your roof inspected by a qualified contractor who will evaluate the integrity of your roof and recommend the appropriate actions. About RTurley Roofing, Inc. RTurley Roofing, Inc. is a contractor headquartered in Jenks, OK and services neighboring communities such as Broken Arrow, Catoosa, and Claremore, among others. We hold certifications from leading roofing manufacturers, such as GAF, TERO, and Mule-Hide. With over 25 years of experience, we are the trusted partner of residential and commercial clients. Sources: How Hail Affects Roofing Shingles, GAF.com Identifying Hail Damage to Your Roof, travelers.com Page | 3