How much damage to your property can come during a hail or wind storm?

In New York, intense wind and hail storms are not all that common. Many homeowners have physically experienced severe hail and or wind storms. Lately, this has been the situation in Western New York, where the last few years have resulted in elevated wind and hail activity.

Most people are fairly aware of the damage hail can cause, in particular, the hail that is infamous for damaging and denting cars. This recognition doesn't always fully translate into the impact a hail storm can have on your property. While you can visually see the damage to your car after a hail storm, you can't always see the damage that impacts your property.

Wind damage is much easier to identify. The impact in some instances can easily be seen, generally translating into immediate repair and or replacement of the damaged property. The damage you can't see from hail or wind is the foremost concern. Your property may be at risk and you may not even know it.

How can I tell if my property is damaged?

Hail storms like those from the recent storm can cause damage to roofing and other objects that are generally not visible from the ground. Futhermore, wind breaks apart brittle and poorly nailed shingle(s), as well as pushes shingles out of alignment exposing the underlying felt paper to the elements. Such damage to asphalt shingle(s) allows water to seep into areas of your roof not designed to repel moisture. This extra moisture speeds up the deterioration process of the roof and can eventually lead to leaking and interior damage to your property.

In turn, the longevity of the roof’s performance directly affects your home’s value. When evaluating homes for sale, appraisers can and do take this into account to determine a home’s net worth.

If my property is damaged, should I have it repaired or replaced?

There is a misconception if your property sustains damage, it must be replaced immediately. You'll find some conflicting evidence online or from contractors that may give advice for immediate replacement of your damaged property. Typically the damage sustained from a storm may or may not pose an immediate threat. The threat is long term damage! Storm damage can dramatically deteriorate your home’s exterior protection. As a rule, the best course of action is to have a professional experienced* in identifying hail and wind storm damage assess your property and gauge the risk at hand.

*Experience: Years in the industry does not qualify! Particularly with wind and hail damage assessment! If you have damage, you may qualify for storm damage recovery funds.

PDK Roofing & Building Supply WWW.PDKSUPPLY.COM
(716) 836-0203

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