In Georgia, severe thunderstorms usually come in March, April, and May. A subsequent peak may occur during the months of September and October. However, they may also occur at any time of the day or night, as well as any month of the year.
A typical thunderstorm in Georgia is about 15 miles in diameter and generally lasts about half an hour. As it grows, though, it can push water droplets into an area of the atmosphere that is below the freezing temperature. These droplets combine with other droplets just before freezing, resulting in hailstones of varying sizes. The average size of hail in Georgia is about one to two inches in diameter, which can be damaging considering they may fall at speeds greater than 100 miles per hour.
One of the most vulnerable victims of hail damage is roofing systems. To help you determine the extent of hail damage on roofs, International Construction Services, Inc., the leading company for roof replacement in Columbia, SC, and the nearby Georgia region, share these four common factors:
- Hail size – Hail comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Most hailstones are smaller than a quarter, but in some cases, they can be bigger than a golf ball. The larger these hailstones are, the more likely they will cause significant damage to your roof.
- Hail speed – Current wind speeds and the height at which hail is formed are the two primary things that determine its speed. According to re-roofing experts, a small hailstone falling at a high speed may cause the same damage on roofs as a relatively larger one falling at a slower speed.
- Hail density – Denser hailstones, or those with a much greater weight per unit volume, may potentially cause more damage as a result of their higher momentum. Note that denser hailstones usually look darker than other hailstones. When they come in contact with your roof and make an impact, they will cause cracks and dents that make it easy for water to infiltrate your system and, eventually, your home. Aside from that, they will most likely knock off the protective mineral granules from your shingles as well, making the material more vulnerable to weather damage. When this happens, be sure to reach out to a trusted Columbia roofing contractor right away to consult about the damage and arrange possible repairs.
- Roof slope – Ever noticed that straight-falling hailstones cause more damage on flat roofs than sloped roofs? That is because hitting a roof perpendicularly results in a much stronger impact. As such, roof slopes should be seriously considered when your house is located in a hail-prone region.
After a hailstorm, you can refer to these four factors when measuring damage to your roofing system. If the storm was particularly strong, however, it’s best to get in touch with a competent roofing contractor like International Construction Services, Inc. We’ll make sure to keep your roof in tiptop shape through repairs or replacement, and guide you in your roof insurance claim process when needed.
To get FREE roofing estimates in Columbia and the nearby Georgia communities, simply call us at (301) 466-3630 or complete our contact form.