It seems people are always surprised by its arrival and in awe watching it fall. Suddenly, frozen pellets come pouring down from the heavens. It’s a random event that never makes complete sense. It can even be warm outside when the screaming fastballs are pitched at us from a chilly bullpen in the sky. Then, we start to worry. “What is this hail going to do to my car? And what about the roof of my house?”

Hail is frozen precipitation that forms inside of clouds high in the atmosphere. If you’ve ever watched the progress of your airplane flight on the little monitor mounted to the seat in front to you, you probably noticed the speed of the aircraft, the altitude at which it’s flying and the outside temperature, which can be shocking. At 28,000 ft. above sea level the air outside your Boeing 737 might be 50-degrees below 0, and you’re flying over the Bahamas! In fact, air temperatures just a few thousand feet up remain much colder than surface temperatures, so it is no wonder that hail stones can reach the earth as nasty, dangerous projectiles capable of wreaking havoc on personal property.

While the great plain states (Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado…) are notorious for hail storms, they can occur most anywhere, including Florida. 



Like other weather events, hail can impact a wide area, or else a storm cell can focus its wrath on one house while sparing the next-door neighbor’s. Hail is unpredictable and can arise suddenly as do sudden rain showers and twisters. So, it is always a good idea to be ready for an outbreak of severe weather to strike your property.

In the aftermath of a hail storm, a wide range of property assets can be affected. It is imperative that homeowners conduct a careful inspection to assess the full extent of damage. After all, you will want your insurance claims to pay out enough to restore everything from gutter damage to a pockmarked mailbox. 

Objects around your home can be compromised by the punishing pellets of hail, as well. Pool pumps, expensive outdoor kitchens, sheds, and carports can bear the scars of hailstones which typically reach the earth at speeds between 25 and 40 mph. The largest hail stones can even exceed 100 mph.

Above all, your home’s roof and accessories normally take most of the punishment in a hail storm. It’s difficult to assess hail damage to a roof without standing on a roof performing an up-close inspection, so don’t be surprised if a roofing truck you don’t recognize pulls up to your house with a technician claiming he noticed hail damage as he was driving by. That is nearly impossible and he’ll try to convince you to let him take a closer look. If it’s a company you are considering trusting - and you think that you might have suffered roof damage because of the intensity of the recent downpour - you definitely should have your roof checked out, but ask questions first! 

• Is the roofer local? 
• Have they performed work for others in your neighborhood? 
• Can they show you they have positive reviews and ratings while at your home? Do they even have a website?
• Has the name of the company remained the same over the years and can they prove it? Or has the changed the name before, and if so why?
• Ask if the salesman is a W2 employee of the company, or a W9 Independent Contractor that is only soliciting business on behalf of the company.

If any of the above isn’t a “yes,” stop. “Thanks, but no thanks.” Tell them you have a local roofing contractor, then call SEC Roofing & Construction! We’ll carefully inspect your roof, gutters, garage doors, vehicles, AC Units, screen enclosures, and other property prone to damage from pelting hail. We will then show you the damages, educate you on your options and assist you with what path you feel is best for YOU.

The most common type of roofing in Florida is asphalt shingle. Hail inflicts damage to shingles in the form of small indentations that can lead to moisture penetration if not repaired quickly. 

While shingle roofing is one of the most durable materials in construction, its main function is to act as an impervious shield against moisture seeking a path to your roof decking - the wooden framework underneath the asphalt covering and underlayment. Most asphalt roofing these days promises to protect a home for 25 years or longer, although replacement is usually recommended sooner, just to be safe. However, a strong hail storm isn’t part of the roof lifespan equation. Just as falling branches can immediately damage your roof, so can the collision of ice chunks with slender shingles. After all, it was a collision with ice that sank Titanic and, yes, hail can exhibit the same hard, sharp nature of an iceberg.

What is Blistering? Why is it So Bad for Your Roof?

Just as a splinter in your finger can develop a painful welt, hail can lead to similar irritations on your roof! When closely inspected, a competent roofer can see and feel the indentations in the asphalt. 

Depending on the manufacturer’s specific product specifications, shingles are usually made from a combination of processed petroleum (asphalt), fiberglass, and a cement-like mixture. Atop the shingle is a sprinkling of hard stone granules and metal, such as copper granules to reduce the likelihood of blue/green algae growth – or “roof staining.” Hail drives the tiny rock granules into the matting of the shingle. And, like a splinter embedded in your thumb, inflammation and pain points develop around the wound in the form of blisters on your shingles. The blisters are caused by the expansion of volatile gasses and moisture trapped during the production of the shingles. Gas bubbles then form on the shingle's surface and end up popping which collapse because of erosion from subsequent precipitation and drying. Those bubbles push the granules off of the shingles leaving a circular exposure on the matting that appears to the layperson as “hail” and provide an unscrupulous contractor to steer a trusting customer file a fraudulent claim truly believing they have incurred damage. Yes, the shingle is fundamentally compromised; however, it’s not due to hail. Over the years a leak may occur, and the shingles will continue to deteriorate. In Florida there is no reason to panic if you have blisters. If the roof does not meet the standards of hail damage at that moment, or other types of storm damage cannot be found, be patient, it will. With harsh Florida storms and annual hurricane seasons it is not “if” it’s “when” your roof incurs damages. If your goal is to use insurance proceeds to replace your roof, be patient, it will happen and you will then have a legitimate claim, not an unethical, illegal, or immoral one.

The Cold Hard Facts of Hail

Over 10 million properties throughout the U.S. suffer hail damage each year. When hail hits, it’s time to contact a local and trusted roofing professional like SEC Roofing.

SEC will scour your property to identify any damage that can lead to problems immediately or in the near future, including:

• Shingle cracks, creasing, and punctures which can promote water penetration to the roof decking, leading to interior leaks.
• Asphalt tile blistering, cracking, and dislodged surface granules which result in premature wear and tear to your roofing material.
• Dents and fractures to metal roofs, gutters, downspouts, roof vents, AC units, pool pumps, screen enclosures, etc., which lead to rust and deterioration of the metal.
• Damaged or destroyed vents that can disrupt proper air circulation under the roofing covering, promote shingle blistering, and increase heating and cooling bills.

When the next hail storm strikes, we at SEC Roofing & Construction hope you are hurt and your home is not affected. However, if you sense that the intensity of the falling ice may have caused damage to your roof and anything around your home, call us immediately for a free inspection and consultation! Rest assured you’ll be glad you did!