Reduce Your Chances For Hail Storm Damage

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Jul 31, 2012, 05:20 ET

FORT MILL, S.C., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hail, according to Wikipedia, is a form of solid precipitation consisting of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is referred to as a hailstone.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120731/CL48884)

Hail, according to homeowners who have experienced broken skylights and damaged roofs in thunderstorms, is the element that can turn a "bad" storm into a significant financial expense.

The largest recorded hailstone in the United States by diameter measured eight inches (20 cm) and weighed 1.93 pounds (0.88 kg). It fell in Vivian, South Dakota in July 2010.

Thankfully, hail doesn't always come in jumbo sizes. It's usually measured in terms of coin sizes such as a Dime or Quarter or in comparison to objects such a pea, marble, or golf ball. The damage it does when it strikes an object depends on factors including size, weight, and the speed at which it's falling. But if it's big enough, and moving fast enough when it strikes, it can do serious damage.

From the standpoint of the roof itself, there's not much to be done to prepare for a hailstorm. If you're unfortunate enough to be under one that produces hail that damages your shingles or other roof surfaces, it's basically a matter of dealing with your insurance company and a roofer for repairs or replacement. Roofers advise having a qualified person inspect roofs for dents in shingles that can eventually turn into holes and cause leaks. An evaluation and quote from three roofers is considered good policy.

In the case of skylights, you can actually do something to prevent damage. Almost all skylights damaged by hail are of the "plastic bubble" or acrylic type. Modern, Energy Star-qualified glass skylights are available that are much less susceptible to hail damage. And they are much more energy efficient. They offer tempered, laminated, or impact glass so you can take preventative action ahead of storms by replacing plastic bubble skylights with double-pane glass units. According to skylight manufacturer VELUX America, Energy Star-qualified replacement skylights that fit existing curbs holding plastic bubbles are available. If you're a handy DIYer you can do the job yourself or use a certified installer. To improve energy efficiency even more after upgrading your skylights, attractive blinds are available, including solar powered models that qualify for Federal tax credits. There's more on skylight replacement options and locating local certified installers at www.veluxusa.com.

For ideas on damage prevention, "How to reduce risks from hail" is found at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety site at http://ofb.ibhs.org/Hail. But, if the worst happens, there are sources for precautions and tips to consider after a damaging hailstorm. "Top ten questions about hail damage" is at www.mawconstruction.net/roofing/top-ten-questions-about-hail-damage.html and a similar article with some different angles, "10 Common questions about hail damage," is at www.fullserviceroofing.com/hail-damage-faq.html.

SOURCE VELUX America