Northeast Ohio has seen two major hailstorms in the last two weeks. Accompanied by straight line winds in excess of 70 miles an hour, the roofs of apartments and smaller strip shopping centers have taken a beating.

After the storms we have had, it is imperative that you inspect your roof for damage, once it is safe to do so. While inspecting your roof you should be looking for the following;

• Debris or Branches-making sure they have not penetrated the roof, the underlayment or the roof deck.
• Ponding on the Roof- if all of the roof drains are clear, further investigation may be needed to find out why there is ponding on the roof.
• Check for dents on the surface of the roof from hail damage. As a general statement hail larger than an inch in diameter can damage a roof.
• Check the interior of your building to see if you locate any new stained ceilings or walls. This could be a sign that there has been damage to the roof.

During your inspection document your findings, video, pictures and written notes are all excellent tools. Once you have completed your inspection compare it to the documentation from your previous roof inspections from your preventative maintenance program (visit our blog from August of 2020). By being able to provide previous documentation of the roof’s condition you may be able to rule out wear and tear and this may assist you in having your claim covered by your insurance policy.

If you have more questions about roof maintenance, how to turn in a claim from hail damage or want to review your building’s insurance call the Trusted Choice Agents at Richey-Barrett.