Indiana’s climate can bring hailstorms all year long. Most of the time, they do happen in spring and summer, but it isn’t shocking to experience a winter hail storm. What happens when those little blocks of ice smash into our homes and cause damage? What should we as homeowners be on the lookout for? Here is the information you need to know about damage when it comes to hail.
Damage Caused by Hail Size
Each size of hail can have varying amounts of damage. Here is a list of the common complications caused by the size of hail.
¾” Hail
This type of hail is around the size of a dime. Of course, the damage caused by this size of hail is substantially less than larger-sized hail, but can’t be overlooked. This size of hail will cause damage to vinyl siding, window screens, metal fascia, and deck paint.
1” Hail
If you experience hail this size, be prepared to do some cleanup. Hailstorm damage to your home will consist of cracking and dents on your shingles and siding. However, if winds accompany the storm, your home could have extra damage such as broken windows and holes in the walls. Gutters and downspouts can also require repair after this type of damage.
1 ¼” Hail
As the size of the hail increases, so does the destruction. Larger holes can occur or areas of weakness so it is wise to have an inspection done and address any areas of concern.
1 ½” Hail
Broken windows, dented vehicles, and structural damage can occur with hail this size. Be sure to stay inside when this type of storm is in your area as great bodily harm can occur. Hail this size is similar to the size of a ping-pong ball.
1 ¾” to 2” Hail
Quite a bit of complications can occur with hail close to a golf ball or tennis ball size. Siding can be ripped off the home, and shingles can turn into flying frisbees if the wind accompanies 2” size hail. If hail does increase to a larger size than 2”, substantial damage to your home and property will occur.
What are Some Things to Look for After a Hailstorm?
Here is a list of damages that can occur to your roof after a storm.
Granule loss of shingles
Black-colored dents in the roof
Bruised shingles
Impact marks or dents
Shingle tears
Split shingles
Peeling paint on the exterior of your home
Broken or cracked windows
What if Damage Goes Untreated?
If a homeowner doesn’t have the roof inspected after a hailstorm, further damage can occur. Water can leak through the roofing system, causing additional damages and future repair costs. Exposed areas must be repaired promptly to prevent complications.
Where Can I Turn to For an Inspection?
Place your trust in Alamo Construction roofing company in Portage for a thorough inspection after a storm. We are here to help the community get back on their feet and secure their homes after a major storm. It is possible there is damage underneath the shingles after such a storm, and to the untrained eye, the roof may seem to be intact. Always ask the roofing professionals at Alamo Construction to evaluate the roofing system to ensure quality and integrity in the system going forward. We can help with insurance claims processing to guide you through if a roof repair or replacement is needed.
If you think your home has been affected by hail and storm damage, don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.
Last Sunday, residents in Joliet experienced severe weather at the beginning of what is shaping up to be a doozy of a storm season. Here’s the overview of what occurred:
What: 1-inch diameter hail
When: March 26, 2023
Where: Joliet, Il
What It Means for Your Home
Local news station Fox 32 Chicago reported on their website that areas of Joliet saw hail between roughly .5″ and 1″ inch in diameter while residents throughout the area reported even larger hail in the range of 1.75 to 2 inches in diameter.
That’s some huge hail – but what exactly does that mean for your home?
Generally, hail that is greater than 1″ in diameter will cause damage and warrants a professional inspection.
Hail this size can create dents in shingles as well as bruising in the underlayment.
You may see dents in your gutters and fascia.
Siding can become dented or even cracked.
Hail can tear holes in window and door screens.
Shingles will experience granule loss – this will be obvious from an excessive amount of granules in your gutter downspouts.
Larger hail, in the range of 1.5″ to 2″ in diameter is even more destructive.
In addition to the above problems, hail of this size can begin to penetrate softer parts of the roof like ridge caps and plastic roof vents.
Siding is more likely to crack and break – you may even see your siding tear off entirely from the combined pressure of hail strikes and high winds.
Windows and doors may show cracks in their glass from hail impacts.
Most metal fixtures will begin to show damage.
Take note, larger hail is generally caused by stronger winds – wind can be extremely damaging in its own right.
High winds will cause shingles to lift, curl, peel, or blow off the roof entirely.
Fallen limbs and other debris can cause extreme damage to the roof, siding, gutters, and other exterior fixtures.
Will County Storm Damage Resources
Will County Emergency Management Agency
The Will County Emergency Management Agency helpfully provides adequate emergency response capabilities within the local community. These responses are designed to help Will County residents throughout Joliet in the event of the county reports any storm damage to their properties, which will assist the National Weather Service in evaluating the extent of the damage to the area as well as the severity of the storm.
On Monday, June 13th, a supercell storm passed through Indiana and Illinois, leaving a trail of damage and destruction in its wake. Residents were warned to take cover and to limit all travel as much as possible.
Most of the damages caused were due to the intense wind gusts sweeping through the area. The National Weather Service recorded wind speeds of 100mph at the Fort Wayne International Airport. It is said to be the fastest recorded wind speed in the area. These wind speeds caused significant damage to buildings and hangars at the airport. One hangar had its walls, siding, and insulation completely ripped to shreds.
The winds slammed into neighborhoods across Indiana and Illinois, causing widespread power outages, toppling hundreds of trees, and battering homes. The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation received over 300 tree emergency calls during the storm. Uprooted trees were blocking roadways, destroyed fences, broke powerlines and collapsed on homes.
The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Schaumburg and made its way into Roselle before dying down. The storm traveled at around 100 mph, slamming into surrounding buildings, homes, and neighborhoods.
Image via wrtv.com
In Bellwood, a multi-unit building had its rooftop completely destroyed by the debris. Residents were heard screaming as the roof started to cave in. Several residents had to take cover or flee the building to avoid injury. Another had to be taken to hospital due to flying debris injuring them. Residents in another part of town had a tree punch right down the center of their home. Another had their siding wiped clean from their home.
In Milwaukee, a ten-year-old boy lost his life due to the intense storm and heavy rainfall in the area. Two adults who tried to rescue the boy have been reported missing. The massive thunderstorm clusters that formed over the Great Lakes were believed to have been a derecho.
This tremendous storm left nearly 500,000 residents across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia without power.
