Hail Damages to your Home or Business

11/19/2018 (Permalink)

Close up photo that shows damages caused by a recent hail storm.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), hailstones fall to earth from 30,000 feet, reaching up to 120 mph before they hit trees, vehicles and structures.  These storms cause $1 billion in damages to crops and property each year, the NWS says.

How large can hail get?  Thankfully...most hail is small - usually less than 2 inches in diameter.

The largest hailstone (nearly the size of a volleyball!) fell on July 23, 2010 in Vivian, South Dakota and had a diameter of  8.0 inches, a circumference of 18.62 inches, and weighed just under 2 lbs (1 lb and 15 ounces). This was after the resident that found the hailstone put it in the freezer but had a 6 hour power outage and some melting likely occurred.

Take Action After a Hail Storm

If you do find any hail damage to your residence, we recommend you take pictures before you make any temporary repairs such as boarding up any broken windows or covering a hole in a roof with a tarp.

Regardless of the level of damage, you’ll also want to promptly report it to your insurance company.  Should your home or business sustain hail damage keep these tips in mind:

• Be wary of contractors who solicit door-to-door. 
• Work only with licensed (if applicable), bonded and insured contractors and have them provide documentation. 
• Require references and check them out.  
• Don’t feel pressured into signing a contract and never sign a blank contract. 
• Avoid payment-in-full up front.

If your business or home has hail damages, call the trusted experts of SERVPRO of Des Moines NW 24/7 at (515) 986-3711.