If your building has fallen victim to hail damage, dealing with the hassles of a commercial roof insurance claim will be part of your routine for a while. If your facility is located in the Cleveland, OH, area, however, you don’t have to go it alone; Five Star Commercial Roofing is here to help you!
Our expert team is adept at working with insurance companies, and we can help make the process smoother. In addition, we will administer topnotch repair solutions when the claims process has concluded and restore your roof to full functionality, so you and your employees can get back to business!
For insurance claims help and other expert roofing services, give Five Star Commercial Roofing a call today, 330-936-7571!
Severity of Hail Damage
When a hailstorm assaults your roof, the severity of the damage will depend greatly on the kind of roof membrane you have. With certain types of roofs, hail that is just a half-inch in diameter or smaller can cause damage, while other kinds of roofs are more resilient.
The following are common types of commercial roofs and how they typically stand up to hail:
- Metal: Hail will often dent a metal roof—though, for the most part, the damage is typically cosmetic. However, if the hail chips or cracks the finish on the roof panels, their water-tightness can be compromised, which leads to the development of rust. If this occurs, a professional roofer needs to be called in.
- EPDM: Ethylene propylene diene monomer roofing, also known as EPDM or rubber roofing, is highly flexible and generally holds up well against hailstones that are as large as 2 ½ inches in diameter. If damage is sustained due to the hail, it generally takes the form of surface cracking. An EPDM roof is most likely to fracture at the perimeter of the roof or at points where equipment has been installed. If the roof substrate is not solid, hail can also puncture the roof membrane.
- Thermoplastic: A thermoplastic roof membrane, like PVC or TPO, can withstand hailstones that are around 1 ¾ inches in diameter or smaller, but even very small hailstones can fracture or otherwise damage an older and more deteriorated membrane.
- BUR: Built-up roofing, or BUR, often features gravel surfacing, which protects the membrane from hail damage. When a BUR roofing system is installed in a smooth-surfaced configuration, it is more susceptible to hail damage.
- Modified Bitumen: Even large hailstones usually aren’t a match for a modified bitumen roof. With the hardiest type of modified bitumen membrane—a granule-surfaced BUR—the underlying reinforcement can be fractured or the granules can become displaced by hail. If ridging or blistering forms on the membrane, that unsupported section of roof is more likely to sustain hail damage.
Help with the Insurance Process
When hail pelts your roof and damage results, you may find yourself dealing with an insurance claim before you can have the damage taken care of. The insurance claims process can be complicated and stressful—but, fortunately, the Five Star Commercial Roofing team is on your side!
The team of experts at Five Star will help you navigate the insurance process and assist you in getting the settlement you need, so your roof can be properly repaired and your business can get back into action.
While most insurance companies will deal fairly when a claim is filed, there are always exceptions. Either way, the Five Star Commercial Roofing team is here to help you get successfully through the process. When you’ve received your settlement, we will also administer topnotch repair services to address all of the hail damage and restore your roof to full functionality.
Five Star Service You Can Count on
Whatever your commercial roofing needs may be, Five Star Commercial Roofing is here for you! Give us a call today, 330-936-7571, to schedule a free roof assessment. A member of our staff will visit your building, thoroughly inspect your roof, assess its condition, and get you started with the help you need. Give us a call today!