Minnesota Hail Storms
Throughout the summer months, Minnesota is often times overwhelmed by hail storms. These storms are caused by small water droplets being carried by updrafts in a storm to a height in which they freeze. This process repeats itself and the small water droplet eventually becomes a heavy enough piece of ice to fall to earths surface. Hailstones have been seen in a variety of sizes, from tiny little pebble all the way to the size of baseballs. Larger hailstones are quite capable of reeking havoc on personal property, homes, vehicles, and people.
How Much Damage is Caused by Hail?
Though Minnesota hailstorms are not known to typically cause injury or death to people, they are well known for causing property damage. Golf ball sized hail hit Duluth in 1994 causing a horrific $50 million in damages. In 1998 Minnesota as a whole suffered over $1.5 billion in damages according to the NOAA Economics website. The $1.5 million number came from damage to vehicles, homes, businesses, and crops. Hail is capable of never ending damage such as destroying roofs, ripping off siding, breaking windows, ruining gutters, demolishing landscape, denting vehicles, cracking windshields, and more.
Unseen Damage Caused by Hail
The damage hail causes your roof is often times harder to see and detect then you think. Many times to see the true extent of damage, one must climb up on the roof and look for missing granules on an asphalt roof. With darker roofs the task becomes even harder to spot the granules. A sign of missing granules is a bruise type spot on the roof. Actual penetration or fracture of shingles is severe damage, and wood shingles may split. Depending on your insurance company and the scales they use to measure damage, your warranty may cover a replacement.
Why it is Important to Fix Hail Damage as Soon as Possible
Even if the hail damage is hard to see, it is imperative that it be repaired as soon as possible. Hail can cause small cracks and tears in your roofing material, which will let the water in to your underlayment. While the effects of potential water damage may not show up right away, by the time you notice it the damage could be pretty extensive and expensive. Of course, there is also a time limit to file with your insurance company regarding hail damage, and that date will be long gone by the time the water damage has occurred to your home. After any hailstorm, check for damage, file your claim and get it repaired before it becomes an even more expensive headache.
What You Should Do During a Hail Storm
Finding shelter should be your immediate thoughts if you are caught outside during a hailstorm. Avoid remote trees, any form of water, high ground, open spaces, and picnic shelters. Hailstorms come banging with high winds and lightening, both of which make trees vulnerable areas to hide under. If you are unable to find any shelter, cover your head with your hands and tuck yourself towards your knees. Being indoors can also be dangerous if people are not cautious. Avoid windows, skylights, or glass doors which may break. Also do not use any electrical appliances during the storm, especially telephones. They are capable of conducting electricity. - 16477
Throughout the summer months, Minnesota is often times overwhelmed by hail storms. These storms are caused by small water droplets being carried by updrafts in a storm to a height in which they freeze. This process repeats itself and the small water droplet eventually becomes a heavy enough piece of ice to fall to earths surface. Hailstones have been seen in a variety of sizes, from tiny little pebble all the way to the size of baseballs. Larger hailstones are quite capable of reeking havoc on personal property, homes, vehicles, and people.
How Much Damage is Caused by Hail?
Though Minnesota hailstorms are not known to typically cause injury or death to people, they are well known for causing property damage. Golf ball sized hail hit Duluth in 1994 causing a horrific $50 million in damages. In 1998 Minnesota as a whole suffered over $1.5 billion in damages according to the NOAA Economics website. The $1.5 million number came from damage to vehicles, homes, businesses, and crops. Hail is capable of never ending damage such as destroying roofs, ripping off siding, breaking windows, ruining gutters, demolishing landscape, denting vehicles, cracking windshields, and more.
Unseen Damage Caused by Hail
The damage hail causes your roof is often times harder to see and detect then you think. Many times to see the true extent of damage, one must climb up on the roof and look for missing granules on an asphalt roof. With darker roofs the task becomes even harder to spot the granules. A sign of missing granules is a bruise type spot on the roof. Actual penetration or fracture of shingles is severe damage, and wood shingles may split. Depending on your insurance company and the scales they use to measure damage, your warranty may cover a replacement.
Why it is Important to Fix Hail Damage as Soon as Possible
Even if the hail damage is hard to see, it is imperative that it be repaired as soon as possible. Hail can cause small cracks and tears in your roofing material, which will let the water in to your underlayment. While the effects of potential water damage may not show up right away, by the time you notice it the damage could be pretty extensive and expensive. Of course, there is also a time limit to file with your insurance company regarding hail damage, and that date will be long gone by the time the water damage has occurred to your home. After any hailstorm, check for damage, file your claim and get it repaired before it becomes an even more expensive headache.
What You Should Do During a Hail Storm
Finding shelter should be your immediate thoughts if you are caught outside during a hailstorm. Avoid remote trees, any form of water, high ground, open spaces, and picnic shelters. Hailstorms come banging with high winds and lightening, both of which make trees vulnerable areas to hide under. If you are unable to find any shelter, cover your head with your hands and tuck yourself towards your knees. Being indoors can also be dangerous if people are not cautious. Avoid windows, skylights, or glass doors which may break. Also do not use any electrical appliances during the storm, especially telephones. They are capable of conducting electricity. - 16477
About the Author:
Be sure you are careful in every hail storm no matter the severity. If your Minnesota home or business has suffered damage, be sure to deal with a trustworthy contractor that will take care of insurance claims from beginning to end and repair hail damage in a time worthy manner as well as cost you the least amount possible.
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