Hail Storms
How Hail Damages Asphalt Shingles.
Asphalt shingles are particularly vulnerable to hail damage. When hailstones strike, they can dislodge the protective granules on the shingles’ surface. This loss of granules exposes the underlying asphalt layer, making it more susceptible to weathering and UV damage.
Even if the damage isn’t immediately visible, hail impacts can bruise the shingles, creating micro fractures at the point of impact. These fractures can allow water to seep through, potentially leading to leaks and further damage to the roof structure. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can weaken these bruised spots, causing them to become brittle and more prone to cracking.
Extreme temperature changes can also exacerbate the damage. Rapid expansion and contraction of the asphalt material can weaken the shingles further, making them more vulnerable to future hailstorms.
Wind Storms
How Windstorms Damages Roofs.
As the name suggests, windstorms damage roofs with high-speed gusts or strong, sustained winds in excess of 34 miles per hour1. They are strong enough to cause light-to-severe damage to trees and buildings, and may be accompanied by rain, snow, or hail. Some can last for just a few minutes, as when caused by downbursts from thunderstorms, while others can go on for hours and even days when part of large-scale weather systems. Windstorms can damage roofing materials directly through forceful winds that loosen or blow off roofing materials, and also indirectly by hurtling flying debris into a structure or by causing trees or tree limbs to fall onto homes. Not only is this damage an eyesore, damaged roofing also compromises the waterproofing integrity of a roof and makes a home susceptible to moisture infiltration that can cause leaks and/or interior mold growth.
Ice Storms
How Ice Damages Roofs.
When ice storms occur, thick layers of ice encase trees and weigh down branches, often to a breaking point. Fallen trees and branches can cause severe damage to your roof system by tearing through shingles and puncturing the wooden roof decking that supports them. They can also tear down power lines and block roads, making it difficult to access properties and address damage. Another serious problem ice storms present is the formation of ice dams on your roof, which generally occurs due to poor attic ventilation. When hot air rises to your attic, it warms the roof from underneath, which melts the snow and ice that has accumulated on the rooftop. The ice melt then runs down to the edges of the roof or near the gutters to an area that is not warmed by trapped and heated attic airspace, where it refreezes and forms a dam. The dam pools and then refreezes additional ice melt, and as this water refreezes it expands and forms wedges of ice that push apart roofing components and create an entry point for moisture to further damages the roof and the interior of the home.
