Hail Damage

Big Damage - Small Hail

There is a misconception that says only large hail stones can create damage. Nothing could be further from the truth. While large hail damage is easy to identify and understand, small hail creates far more damage.

Small hail is hail with stone sizes of 1” or less. Small hail weather events are much more common than large hail. The severity of small hail stone damage is less than large hail, but the overall volume of damage is much greater given the ratio of small hail to large hail events.

Small hail does not have the power or size to damage windshields, siding, or metal components, but it is more than enough to cause tremendous damage to asphalt roofing shingles. Shingles that are under 10 years of age are typically immune to small hail impact damage. Shingles over 10 years old become more and more susceptible as they age. Shingle composition is basically a fiberglass mat impregnated with asphalt. The top of the shingle is then covered with a protective layer of stone granules. These granules give the shingle aesthetic characteristics, but their primary function is to protect the base mat from UV radiation. Shingles over 10 years of age begin to lose the adhesion that holds these granules in place. As this adhesion decreases, the shingles become more susceptible to granule displacement from small hail strikes. This is the primary problem.

Older shingle roofs are regularly damaged by small hail displacing the protectant granule covering. Once the granules are removed, UV radiation immediately begins to damage the asphalt base shingle which in turn dramatically reduces the shingles life expectancy.

The damage caused by small hail requires a trained eye and the coordination of weather reports, collateral damage markings, and quantity measurements. The insurance company will try to deny this damage as wear and tear or manufacturing defect.