Protecting your Company from Hail Damage
Hail is one of the biggest causes of damage to company buildings and vehicles. We wanted to provide some tips to helping your employees stay safe in a hail storm and protect your building from damage.
Staying safe in a hailstorm
If there is a hail storm in your area, make personal safety your employees' first priority. Make sure they take shelter during the storm as large hail can cause serious injuries.
Hail is often accompanied by strong winds and lightning, both of which pose their own dangers.
After the storm passes, keep in mind that windows may have been broken and high winds may have knocked down trees and power lines. Look for broken glass, sharp objects and live wires. Be sure to wear proper shoes and gloves.
Understanding hail damage to your building
Roofing:
Cracked or missing shingles or lost granules may be the result of hail. They also may be the result of normal wear and tear.
If there is damage from hail, your claim professional will determine whether the whole roof needs replacing or whether only part of the roof requires repair or replacement. This will generally depend on how extensive the hail damage is, among other factors.
Siding:
Hail may cause small dings in aluminum siding or cracks in vinyl siding. The winds that accompany the storm may pull off pieces of siding. Check your exterior walls closely for hail damage, preferably when the sun is lower in the sky (morning or evening). This will make it easier to see any denting.
The claim professional will determine whether one section can be replaced or the entire house needs re-siding. This will depend on the extent of the damage and the age of the siding. The claim professional will then advise you of the best way to repair the damage to achieve a reasonably uniform appearance.
Additionally, we recommend you speak with your claim professional before engaging a contractor to repair any damage. You should also check your contractor's reference and ensure your contractor is insured and bonded.
