It’s that time of year again in Nebraska – hail season. We’ve already endured some bad hail storms, and there are surely more to come. Along with wind, hail causes the most grief for commercial building owners. In 2018 Nebraska was the fourth most hail impacted state in the U.S. with 309 major hail events statewide.
Many business owners don’t consider the impact of hail damage until they’re affected. With such a high volume of storm damage events, it’s only a matter of time before luck runs its course. Running a commercial roofing business in Omaha has taught us a lot about the best roof systems to combat hail and preserve the life of commercial roofs. We are also able to help building owners get the money they deserve through insurance claims when damage occurs.
What are Cosmetic Exclusion Clauses?
The challenge with most commercial property policies is that they do not define the term “damage,” which leads to situations where policy language in the form of “cosmetic damage” exclusion is appearing more often. This clause has made it difficult for property owners to address hail damage, especially on metal roofs. More and more owners are searching for roof systems that are durable and able to maintain their cosmetic appearance. In some cases, a cosmetic exclusion can be overcome with the right kind and amount of damage, but it will be important to bring in one of the public adjusters that we partner with.
How does hail affect PVC roofs?
Even though PVC membranes like Duro-Last are popular for commercial roofs, they do not hold up well to hail as they age. When you think about hail damage on a PVC roof, think in terms of fractures rather than punctures or tears. PVC is highly puncture resistant and almost impossible to tear, but with large enough hail, the membrane can become fractured from the impact. It may take 2 to 3 years for the fractures to develop into leaks. Over time water enters into the hairline cracks and through the freeze and thaw cycle the material shrinks and allows the water to penetrate.
How does hail affect TritoFlex Roof Systems?
Almost all roof warranties become void after the first piece of hail hits a roof. Triton Incorporated stands out with an industry best warranty that covers up to 2-inch sized hail and winds up to 160 mph. The TritoFlex commercial roof system is a liquid applied rubber membrane. It’s water-based, non-toxic, and forms an extremely strong, yet flexible membrane. It can be repaired and renewed indefinitely and depending on the application thickness, comes in warranties of 10, 15, and 20 years. Armour Roof Co. recently partnered with Triton Inc. as a preferred contractor in the Omaha, Nebraska area.
Is Your Commercial Roof Ready for Hail Season?
The last thing you want to deal with is interior water damage from a roof leak. If you can’t remember the last time you had your roof inspected for damage, there’s a decent chance it needs some attention. Maybe you just need some patchwork, whatever the case may be it’s wise to at least know where you stand. Call us today, and we’ll inspect your commercial roof and let you know how to best protect your business.
(402) 289-7869
