Spring storms are often accompanied by one of the most dreaded forms of precipitation – hail. In addition to battering plants and vehicles, hail can cause serious damage to asphalt roofing in BC. The damage caused by hail can be aesthetic, where there’s some granule loss but the integrity of the shingle is not compromised, or functional, characterized by significant granule loss, cracking or puncturing of the shingle. In the case of functional damage, leakage and a shortened life expectancy of the roof may result.

It’s important to have a roofing professional examine roofing material following a hailstorm because hail damage can be difficult to detect. According to the Canadian Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers Association (CASMA), there are several factors that impact how roofing shingles are affected by hail.

1. Size and density of hailstones. Large, heavy stones will cause more serious damage.
2. Shingle age. Because asphalt within a shingle hardens and becomes more brittle with age, older shingles can’t absorb impact energy as well and are more susceptible to damage.
3. Angle of hail impact. Hail which strikes at a 90° angle is more likely to cause shingle fractures, while hail that strikes the roof at another angle is more likely to result in spots of granule loss.
4. Temperature. Fractures are more likely in colder temperatures as the asphalt will be more brittle than in warmer weather.
5. Roof deck conditions. Solid roof decks on moderately spaced trusses offer better support to the shingle surface in resisting hail damage. Shingles on rotted or flimsy decking can be more easily fractured.

Should your roofing in BC get hit by a hailstorm, call the professionals at Crown Roofing LTD at (877) 907-3066 to schedule a free, no-obligation roof inspection.