How does hail affect my roof?

How does hail affect my roof?

DYK: Hail produces approximately $22 billion in damage every year! 

 Ranging in size from small pebbles to even baseball-sized or larger, hail falls from the sky at significant velocity and can do serious damage upon impact. The bigger the hailstone, the faster it falls—hail about 3 inches in diameter plummets to the earth between 80 and 110 mph.

There’s nothing you can do to stop hail from falling, but we can try to understand how hail can affect your roof and, at RIG Roofing, install certain roofing materials to provide additional protection before the hail begins to fall. Read on to learn more!

Get the facts on hailstorms.

Hail usually develops during a severe thunderstorm. The precipitation that usually falls as rain droplets get pushed upward by winds into the high atmosphere, where temperatures are extremely low. This moisture freezes and the forming hailstones grow as water droplets freeze on the surface of the growing hailstone. When these updraft winds are not strong enough to carry the hailstones, they fall—usually between speeds of 25 and 40 miles per hour (mph).

Hail is most common in the state of Florida between the months of March and July. A hailstorm can affect a fairly small target area, or larger areas ranging in size up to 100 acres.

How does hail affect my roof?

When hailstones begin to fall, your roof is going to bear the brunt of the impact. Hail can devastate even a well-maintained roof. Hailstones can knock loose asphalt shingles or make them shed the protective granules that cover the surface. Hailstones that are big enough or fall fast enough can crack other types of roofing, such as wood shake or tiles. Even if you see no obvious damage to your roof following a hailstorm, there can be unseen consequences: damage to the underlying layers of the roof, or microfractures that form in shingles, making them susceptible to having rainwater seep in and compromise them. These microfractures can cause shingles to deteriorate, especially in response to the extreme temperatures we often see here in Central Florida.

If your roof has not been maintained, it can be more susceptible to damage from hail. Existing issues that can compromise your roof prior to a hailstorm can include:

Loss of granules from shingles

The fiberglass mat is exposed or fractured

Cracks in shingles

Deterioration to the self-seal strip

Can I protect my roof against hail damage?

There’s no way to totally shield your roof from hail damage, but the installation of impact-resistant materials can minimize the consequences when hail does fall. Modern roofing materials receive an impact resistance, or IR, rating based on their strength and durability. That rating ranges from one to four, with four being the strongest, and is determined in laboratory tests where technicians drop a steel ball onto the material being tested from designated distances. These steel balls are meant to simulate hail of various sizes, dropping at up to 90 mph.

At RIG Roofing, we offer CertainTeed impact-resistant shingles for maximum protection against hail and other potential sources of damage. These shingles have received an IR rating of 4, meaning they can withstand impact from a steel ball dropped from a height of 20 feet with no identifiable cracks or tears. These impact-resistant shingles are available in a wide array of different styles and colors and can be placed on roofs with low-slope or even flat roofs, making them a good choice for either residential or commercial properties.

For maximum protection, we also offer CertainTeed Integrity Roof System, which includes six key components:

A self-adhering waterproof underlayment to prevent leaks from wind-driven rain

An additional layer of water-resistant underlayment, serving as a secondary barrier against leaks

Starter shingles, made of impact-resistant materials

Whatever shingle type, style and color you choose to complement your roof design

Caps placed on the hip and ridge of the roof

Ridge vents and intake vents, which allow airflow to the underside of your roof deck, also helping to moderate the temperature in your attic

Impact Resistant Shingles for Roofs in Central Florida

There’s no way to anticipate when hail will fall, but you can prepare for it by protecting your roof with impact-resistant shingles, installed by the experienced and knowledgeable pros at RIG Roofing. You rely on your roof to protect your home and business through all seasons, all year long. A hailstorm can compromise your roof. Don’t let that happen to you. We can replace your existing roof with impact-resistant shingles. To find out more, give us a call today at at tel://1 (863) 294-4477 or inquiring online.