Roof Damage Caused By Storm In Chicago Area
Roof Damage Caused By Storm In Chicago Area
During the overnight hours of April 5th and 6th, the Chicago area was swept by at least three waves of severe storms that spawned high winds, heavy rains and hail. WGN News reported that wind gusts from the storm reached as high as 70 miles per hour. Hail as large as baseballs fell throughout the area including Des Plaines, South Elgin, Island Lake, Skokie, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Evanston, and Rogers Park. The winds were so strong in Bensonville that the roofs of two industrial buildings were blown off.
Such heavy storms can cause serious hail damage or roofing wind damage. Roof damage from hail can range from merely cosmetic damage to severe damage, requiring a full roof replacement. Hail striking an asphalt roof can cause loss of granules, shingle penetration, split or broken shingles, or edge damage. Older roofs are more susceptible to hail damage because the shingles tend to become more brittle over time.
The size of the hail is an important factor in causing roof damage, but the angle that the hail strikes the roof also affects the extent of the damage. Left unattended, a weather damaged roof exposes the property to the elements. It allows water to penetrate into the wood roof under the shingles and, even worse, allows water to leak into the structure where it can cause further damage to ceilings, walls and other areas of the structure. If you are a homeowner or own a commercial building in any area that has been affected by hailstorms, be sure to have your roof inspected by a licensed roofing contractor.
Hail Storms in Ohio Cause Roof Damage
Hail Storms in Ohio Cause Roof Damage
Unusual weather patterns have been observed throughout the United States this year. Record heat has been experienced in some areas and violent storms in others. Ohio residents and businesses have not been spared. So far this year, Ohio has suffered through several violent storms bringing heavy rain, wind and hail which have caused extensive property damage.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a severe storm on May 7th dumped marble sized hail throughout the Cleveland area causing widespread property damage, especially to cars and roofs. Other hail storms have been reported in April and June with more localized hail damage. Homeowners, businesses, and other property owners in these areas should have their roofs inspected by a licensed roofing contractor.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between cosmetic hail damage and more serious hail damage that warrants repairs or a full roof replacement. Just because your property was in an area affected by hail does not necessarily mean that it needs repair due to hail damage. The extent of damage depends on many factors including the age of the roof, the quality of the roofing materials, the size of the hail, the angle at which the hail struck your roof, and wind speed and direction.
Most local, licensed roofing contractor will offer a free roof inspection and can tell you whether or not your roof needs repairs or replacement. Be careful of out of state or fly-by-night roofers who move into an area following a hail event. Many of these are unscrupulous operators who do substandard work and will be long gone by the time any problems arise.
Massive Hail Storm Hits Near Denver, Colorado
On May 26, 2010, a massive hailstorm hit east of Denver, Colorado in Hudson and Wiggins counties. Hail fell for over half and hour in some areas and piled up to almost a foot deep. Snowplows were out trying to clear hail covered roads for motorists and emergency vehicles.
While this storm was a freak event, Colorado is no stranger to hailstorms. Colorado’s hail season is mid-April to mid-August. Colorado’s front range is located in the heart of “hail alley” which receives the highest frequency of hail in North America and most of the world. Residents of Denver can usually count on three to four catastrophic hailstorms per year. A catastrophic hailstorm is defined as a storm causing at least $25 million dollars in insured damage. In the last ten years, hailstorms have caused nearly two billion dollars in insured damage in Colorado.
All of Colorado’s seven most costly hailstorms were centered in the Denver metro area. This makes sense because this is the area with the most development.
If you live in Denver or the surrounding areas, it is important to be aware of the insurance coverage pertaining to hail for both your car and your home or commercial building. It is also a good idea to use hail resistive roofing materials for your home or commercial building. If your area has recently experienced a hailstorm you should have your roof checked for hail damage by a licensed, experienced roofing professional. Quickly assessing and repairing hail damage to your roof can help prevent further damage to your home or commercial building.
Severe Storm Front Causes Flooding and Hail Damage in Nebraska
On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, a narrow corridor of strong to severe thunderstorms flared up across the southeast sections of the NWS Hastings area. These storms traveled along a line from near Hebron, Nebraska through Osborne, Kansas. They formed along a well-defined cold front that had already pushed through a lot of the area earlier in the day. Hail the size of a quarter or half dollar was reported two miles east of Alexandria, Nebraska at 5:55 PM. Four inches of rain was measured in Chester, Nebraska causing some localized flooding.
A few weeks earlier, on August 4, 2010 hail stones the size of baseballs were reported in Omaha, Nebraska. This particular hailstorm caused excessive damage to roofs and car windshields in the Omaha area.
Summer in Nebraska brings thunderstorms. Tornados, flash floods, and hail are all by-products of thunderstorms. Although hailstorms occur all over the country, they are more prominent in “The Great Plains” including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. This dubious honor is what caused The Great Plains to be nicknamed “hail alley.”
It is estimated that the costs associated with hail damage in the United States total one to two billion dollars per year. These costs are mostly comprised of damage to cars, car windshields, and the roofs of homes and commercial buildings.
If you have recently experienced a hailstorm in your area, be sure to document the damage to your car or roof with photographs, and contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. While damage to your car or windshield can be easily detected, damage to your roof can be a little trickier. The best way to determine if your roof has experienced hail damage is to have it inspected by a licensed, experienced roofing professional and make the necessary hail damage roof repairs. Assessing and repairing the damage quickly can prevent further damage to your home or commercial building.
Severe Thunderstorms in Atlanta
Severe Thunderstorms in Atlanta
July and August are peak months for electrical storms in Atlanta. The build up of heat and humidity is the fuel for cumulonimbus thunderhead clouds we know as thunderstorms. As you get further into the summer, storms tend to form later in the day or even late at night and move more slowly. This often produces flooding and lots of lightning. With this summer being one of the hottest summers in Atlanta in recent history, thunderstorms have been abundant.
Lightning is a real danger and should not be underestimated. Georgia ranks in the top 10 for lighting fatalities in the US coming in at number nine. If you are outside and hear thunder, you are in danger of being hit by lightning. Lightning in the clouds often comes before lightning on the ground. It can precede ground lightning by anywhere from five to thirty minutes. Therefore, if you see lightning flashes or streaks in the sky, it is an early warning to go indoors immediately. Don’t wait to hear thunder or the first vertical bolt.
Most people who are struck by lightning are not hit directly, but take an indirect hit when it strikes a tall object nearby and travels to reach someone. Trees and telephone poles are often targets of lightning strikes and should be avoided during a thunderstorm.
Lightning not only poses a risk to people, but can also cause significant damage to homes and buildings. A lightning strike to your home or office building can be terrifying and can cause significant damage to the roof and structure. Homes and buildings can also be severely damaged when trees that are struck by lightning fall onto a nearby structure.
If your home or commercial building suffers damage due to a thunderstorm, be sure to notify your insurance agent immediately and to document the damage with photos. Use only a licensed and experienced roofing professional to inspect your roof for damage or to repair any damage to your roof. Most credible roofing contractors will help with your roofing insurance claim.
Assessing Roof Damage After A Storm
Assessing Roof Damage After A Storm
On June 24, 2010, a fierce wave of storms hit Chicago and the surrounding areas shutting down transportation and forcing people to immediately seek shelter. This storm carried winds of up to 80 mph and severe lighting. Several funnel clouds were spotted over the area during the storms. Trees all over the city fell on houses, buildings, and cars. The end result was flooding and significant damage to homes and commercial buildings caused by wind, rain, and lightening.
Unfortunately, this type of weather has been seen all over the country this summer from the severe flooding in Tennessee to the hailstorms in Oklahoma City. After a severe storm, it is a good idea to check your roof thoroughly for damage. If damage has occurred, you want to make sure to file an insurance claim in a timely manner. Also, repairing the damage quickly will help ensure that no further damage occurs.
Assessing the damage to your roof resulting from a storm or other severe weather event can be tricky. Different types of roofing materials will experience different types of damage. Moreover, some damage may not be apparent immediately after a storm and may only be detected after time. A good practice is to call your insurance carrier immediately after a storm, even if you have not detected any damage to your roof. Let them know that there is no apparent damage today, but that you will continue to inspect the roof for damage and provide documentation for a few months after the storm.
Even if you have not experienced severe weather in your area, it is a good idea to periodically get your roof inspected by a licensed roofing contractor. This will ensure the long-term health of your roof and prevent leaks and other damage to your home from occurring.
Preventing/Ridding Moss Roof Growth
Preventing/Ridding Moss Roof Growth
Moss can form on the roof due to many reasons. Even though moss mainly forms in wet seasons, there are a number of factors that can lead to its growth even in warm climates. Moss can substantially damage most types of roofs. There are many ways to prevent the growth of moss on the roof. Trees and vines that hang over the roof can prevent it from drying quickly and completely, thus encouraging the formation of moss. Regularly trim trees and vines that keep any part of the roof in the shade for long periods of time. Trim the vegetation just enough so that there is some light and enough movement of air on the roof. Any material that holds moisture such as leaves, twigs and pine needles will also encourage the growth of moss. Therefore, clear the roof regularly of any leaves or debris. Make sure there is enough ventilation to allow movement of air on the inside of the roof. This will help the roof dry out faster and prevent the moisture from forming for any long periods of time. A zinc or copper strip placed under the edge of the ridge cap will release chemicals in small amounts that will prevent or stop the growth of moss as well as algae. It is important to use these very carefully as they can be toxic in large quantities.
If the moss or algae has already formed, there are some ways to get rid of it. High pressure water spray may get rid of the moss, but it has the potential to damage and loosen shingles or siding. Chemicals containing sulfur and iron can be used to kill moss. However, these chemicals can be toxic and potentially harmful to the plant and animal life. Diluted solution of bleach mixed with some detergent can also be applied to get rid of moss from the roof.
The best practice for your roof is to prevent creating conditions where moss & algae growth strive. If left unattended, the moss & algae damage to your roof can prove to be extensive. While you may be able to get rid of the moss yourself, it is recommended that you hire a professional roofing contractor to remove the moss/algae.
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