The majority of hailstorms occur between May and August. And although they are usually brief, (the average is only 6 minutes,) they can be devastating while they last.
There isn’t anything you can do to stop them, but there are some things you can do to minimize the damage.
When a thunderstorm is coming, stay inside – including your pets. Don’t drive unless it’s necessary, and if you are driving, pull under a sturdy shelter to minimize damage. And stay inside your vehicle if it’s hailing!
After the storm, if you’re wondering if your roof was damaged, a good measure would be to check any nearby cars that had been parked outside. If the car isn’t damaged, it isn’t likely that your roof was damaged. Also, gutters and downspouts are usually made from very soft aluminum. If they are not damaged, your roof shouldn’t be, either.
We have seen a great many cases of unsolicited companies (Hail Chasers) knocking on doors and telling people they have hail damage to their roofs. Usually, a hailstone would have to be larger than an inch in diameter to cause damage to a roof. The granular loss is not an indication of hail damage – that’s due to the effects of weathering over time, and older roofs will have heavier granular loss as they age.
But these contractors are so pervasive that the state of Wisconsin has passed a Hail Chaser Storm Bill to protect unwary consumers. It provides for an extended refusal period, forbids them to waive deductibles, and they cannot act as a power of attorney for the homeowner.
Here at the Wolfgram Agency, we advise that if you have someone knock on your door, to get a second opinion from another company. The Hail Chasers are usually NOT local (they may have a temporary storefront in your hometown, but if you dig, you’ll discover they are probably really located out of state) which would make it difficult for you to find them later if you have any problems with the quality of the roof or the workmanship. Call in someone local that has a good review with the Better Business Bureau, or ask a relative, friend or neighbor for a referral.
And then, if the local professional thinks that damage was not age, but hail, give us a call, and we’ll help you through the claims process!
