Standing Seam Metal Roof Hail Damage

Some people believe that any type of metal roofing will eventually be dented or damaged by hail storms. However, this is actually a myth.

In truth, most hailstorm don’t create hailstones that are large enough to actually cause any hail damage metal roof. Unfortunately, there are some areas where hailstorms are strong enough and create hailstones that are damaging to your property. In these cases, home insurance is essential.

This is one of the reasons why it is just essential to ask this critical question when it comes to hail storms – How can hail damage metal roof?

The impact of hail on a property is a commonly discussed topic. Aside from your roof, hail frequently causes damage to other parts of your home, as well as other outdoor items that are left unguarded. With a roof especially, damage can be extreme depending on the strength of a hail event. The truth is that hail can affect a metal roof in more ways than one.

By nature, most of the metal material types, such as steel, aluminum, copper, etc., used in metal roofing systems are malleable and therefore can change shape under stress.

There are 2 main ways in which a metal roof is affected by hail. This is either through denting or puncturing damage. Denting occurs when an area of the metal roof sinks in due to the weight and force of an impacted hail stone. The severity of the dent will depend on the size of the hail stone and how strong or fast it was falling. Denting, while it may look bad, is mainly an aesthetic issue. It will definitely make your roof look bad but does not have any major effects to the structural integrity of the structure. Denting does not require structural fixes and might be the best-case scenario when compared to a punctured roof system.

The other form of damage which a hail event can cause on your roof are roof punctures. This refers to when a hail stone actually damages the metal roof and forms a hole.

This is not merely a cosmetic damage to your property and can actually cause further problems, such as roof leakage. Compared to denting, however, puncturing is a much less likely occurrence since most hail storms produce smaller hailstones.

Factors That Can Affect the Level of Hail Damage on metal roof

As mentioned earlier, the level of damage on your property is highly dependent on the strength and severity of the hail storm. The stronger the event, the higher the likelihood for major damages from punctures. Essentially, the level of physical hail damage on metal roof system varies and is dependent on these main factors.

Hail Size

One of the main factors to consider is the size of the hail that impacts your roof. Bigger hail stones tend to cause larger dents while smaller ones may not even scratch your roof at all.

Metal Thickness

The thickness of your metal roof panels also matters. Thicker metal panels are much more durable and can withstand stronger hail events than thinner and more malleable material.

Slope of the Roof

Flat or low-sloped roofs tend to take more damage since hail is likely to impact the metal roof directly. On the other hand, roofs with a higher slope are less likely to be directly hit. However, this will also depend on the angle by which hail falls from the sky.

Type of Roof Deck

The supporting structure underneath your metal roof also affects the level of damage it retains. Roof decks which are solid provide strong support to metal panels and prevent them from flexing during a hail storm. Because of this, metal roofs with a solid deck support might not receive as much damage. Unfortunately, if the metal roof is not installed on top of a roof deck and is on top of either open framing or a batten system, the open space underneath the panels can cause it to form dents more easily.

Embossed Metal

Metal roofs that are embossed don’t necessarily protect the roof from damage during a hail storm. Instead, this type of finish can better conceal any dents or creases from such an event. The only downside, however, is that an embossed metal finish on your roof costs more.

Keeping these in mind, the only thing that you can do after a hail storm is to assess the damage done to your property. Our team at Waddle Exteriors can give you some of our expertise in inspecting, assessing, and evaluating the damage to provide you the best possible solution.

Metal Roof Leaking at Ridge

Metal roofing is a great option for both residential and commercial properties because it is a durable, user-friendly, and long lasting material. Whether you are considering a roof extension for your home, or replacing your home or business’ roof entirely with a modern and new metal roof system, there are several benefits to using this material. However, like many other things, there are also a few downfalls when it comes to having a metal roofing system.

Unfortunately, in areas where storms and heavy rain are frequent, there is also a relatively higher chance for your metal roof to start leaking at the ridge. While it may seem like a normal problem that requires a quick fix, metal roof leaking can become quite serious, especially if not attended to as soon as possible. When your metal roof starts leaking at the ridge, you have to take the necessary steps to fixing this problem in order to prevent further damage.

However, before we go on to discuss these important steps, we must first answer the question –

What is the Ridge?

In metal roofing, the ridge refers to the topmost part of the roof. In roofing terms, this refers to the peak of the roof. At this point of the roof, this sis where 2 or maybe even more pieces come together. Usually, this area is covered by a ridge cap to prevent water from seeping into the space between the adjoined pieces. The ridge cap should effectively cover the seams in order to prevent leaking. When there are any signs of leaking right below that area, there is likely a problem with the ridge caps on your metal roof. However, there can also be other reasons for the leak.

Why is the Metal Roof Leaking at Ridge Such a Problem?

Leaking, from any part of a metal roof, is problematic since it can mean that there may be major damage in certain portions of the roof. Aside from just having a hole that requires patching up, a roof leak could bring to question the entire structural integrity of the roof structure. There is always a chance that the water has damaged the interior of the roof.

However, a leak or water infiltration at the ridge, especially if you have a metal roof can be quite problematic. In the first place, it is much harder to discover the primary cause of the leakage. Some of the possible options include improper sealing along the ridge due to loose or damaged ridge caps, faulty installation of the ridge vents, or a problem with the alignment of the metal roof seams. Each of these cases is a possibility, and each one requires a different solution.

Another reason why leaking at the ridge of your metal roof is a problem is because it can take a while to actually notice the leak. This can lead to build-up of mold, mildew, and algal growth over time. And by the time the water actually starts dripping, it will probably be after some major internal damage has been done.

What Can Be Done?

One of the best things that you can do for your metal roof is to prevent leaking in the first place. This can be done by having your roof regularly inspected, preferably by a professional who is familiar with the building codes and regulations of your area. Not only is this essential for maintaining the health of your roof, it is also a great way to spot minor issues before these become major problems that become dangerous and more expensive to repair.

However, if you do find that your metal roof is starting to leak from the ridge, the best step to take is to contact your local roofing contractor. With our expertise at Wade Exteriors, our team will be able to spot the main cause of the leakage, identify the extent of damage, and provide you with the right methods to fixing the problem.

While you might be tempted to get up on your roof yourself and fix you metal roof, we suggest to avoid doing this because it poses a high risk for your safety. When a roof starts leaking, there is a high likelihood that damage has already been done and when you put extra weight on a damaged roof, it may even cave in. Not only is this dangerous, but you end up damaging the entire roof as well as other parts of your home.

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