Hail storm damage is a costly problem. In 2017, it left a whopping $1.7 billion worth of property damage around the United States. That same year, hail storms were most prevalent in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
If you live in any of those prone areas, your efforts need to be doubled when you protect your property. Your roof and car are the most vulnerable during the hail storm season, so your choice of roofing material and protective equipment for your car are critical. The odds of shelling out more dollars than you’d normally budget for are high since we’re prioritizing superior durability and longevity here.
Besides, repeatedly spending for repairs and replacements are far costlier in the long run, not to mention stressful. That said, here are some ways to protect your property against hail storms:
1. Choose the Most Durable Roofing Materials
If you’re just having your home built or are planning to renovate, narrow your roofing material options to the top three most durable types: asphalt shingles, wooden shingles and shakes, and metal.
Asphalt shingles are affordable and long-lasting but unfortunately not a sustainable choice because they’re petroleum-based. They are, however, recyclable, so you can obtain yours from a local shingle recycling center.
Note that some asphalt shingle suppliers may not disclose its hail rating since they aren’t legally required to do so, but for your benefit, choose a supplier who reveals the hail rating to be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.
Wooden shingles and shakes are pricier than asphalt shingles but have a longer lifespan. The catch is that they’re not as durable, so pay extra attention to their hail rating.
Metal is also on the pricey side, but it’s one of the best roofing materials. It’s impact-resistant, long-lasting, low-maintenance, and recyclable, so you’d never go wrong with it.
2. Protect Your Ride
If you don’t have a garage, you can protect your car by investing in a metal-based carport or canopy. You can set it up anywhere near your home, as long as it won’t block driveways.
But if you don’t have enough space for a carport, consider a heavy-duty hail cover, particularly the foamed or inflatable type, so that impacts will be lessened. It will also protect your auto from thunderstorm burns.
If a hail storm occurs while you’re driving, your best defense is to find roofed parking and to stay put until the storm subsides. However, your car would’ve already sustained some damages while you’re trying to find a safe spot. Assess it afterwards and take it to a hail damage repair service provider in Denver or any other area near your residence. Once your car looks as good as new again, try to limit your travel when hail storms are predicted to occur.
3. Trim Trees Regularly
Hail can easily break tree branches, which may hit your roofs or windows and leave heavy damage. Broken branches will also be a nuisance in your yard, so trim your trees regularly, even without an impending natural disaster.
4. Enclose Your Deck or Patio
As much as possible, enclose these outdoor spaces with walls instead of just a roof. Don’t risk the hail leaving permanent damage to your expensive furniture!
5. Draw Curtains Closed
Watching the hail fall isn’t worth it if it smashes your glass windows, just keep them drawn shut to also protect yourself from potential injury.
6. Invest in a Hail Damage Insurance
Hail damage isn’t typically covered by a homeowner insurance policy, so if you reside in a hail-prone region, invest in hail damage insurance to save on repair costs.
With your property adequately defended against hail damage, the likelihood of being stressed out after a hail storm will significantly be lowered, so make the necessary investments and enjoy their benefits.
