Hail Damage and Your Washington County Business | SERVPRO® of Washington County

6/18/2021 (Permalink)

If your business should encounter damage from hail or thunderstorms, SERVPRO of Washington County is here to help you manage the damage.

When it comes to natural disasters and storm protection, hail is often an afterthought. Maybe it’s because it’s so random, and quite frankly so interesting and quirky, that we often think of hailstorms with a certain fascination rather than a healthy respect.

In point of fact, however, hail is one of the most damaging natural disasters, and far more common across the country than the appearance of hurricanes or tornadoes. There were 4,611 major hailstorms in 2020 alone, and the damage from hailstorms averages between eight and 14 billion dollars a year over the last two decades.

And though we call certain parts of the country “hail alley,” it’s truly not just a midwest problem. Hail storms can occur anywhere, at anytime, given the right atmospheric conditions, and the U.S. elevation and climate is more suited to them than perhaps anywhere else in the world.

So what can you do to protect your business from hail damage, and how can you assess it when it may occur?

Look after your roof. Your roof needs inspection annually, or after any major hail event. Look for broken shingles, replace any worn-out sections or damaged flashing, and clear gutters and rooftops from debris and built-up blockages. Also, don’t wait when it’s time to replace your roof! When it’s time, it’s time, and waiting makes you prone to water damage from rain and atmospheric moisture.

Minimize window breakage. Given Rhode Island’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, installing impact-resistant windows may help prevent damage from both hail storms and hurricanes, so you might want to consider it for your business. These kinds of preventive steps may even bring down your insurance costs.

Cover the important stuff. Keeping valuable assets indoors or under cover is a smart way to prevent potential hail damage. Company vehicles should be moved to garages or carports if available, and anything that can be protected by moving it indoors should be moved. Indoor assets should be kept away from windows as well. And your most important assets, your employees, should take cover when severe storms come. Hail is natural output of thunderstorms, so regular thunderstorm precautions should be taken as well.

If your business should encounter damage from hail or thunderstorms, we’ll be there fast to manage the damage. Click or call SERVPRO today to get help from the pros.