If you install siding in Calgary, there is a chance it will undergo a hail assault at some point. The damage is much less likely to be serious if you update your siding when needed and make repairs as you notice any damage. However, many of our customers underestimate the likelihood and extent of hail damage. Here are six facts to know about hail and your siding:
- Hailstorms are common: In 2013, there were 5,400 major hailstorms recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They can occur anywhere, and there is no province that is immune from these devastating storms. May is the most common month for hailstorms, which often takes homeowners by surprise since that is also the start of spring.
- Hail size may vary: Hail can be small and harmless, but it can also become quite large. The largest hail ball on record measured eight inches in diameter and weighed just under two pounds. Siding can sustain damage from hail balls with diameters of just one and one quarter inches.
- Damage depends on siding material: After a hailstorm, siding may dent, crack or sustain large holes. Vinyl siding is most likely to crack, especially if it is more than a few years old and has lost its original flexibility. Wood and metal siding shows dents. Larger hail balls cause punctures in all types of siding. Paint cracks are also common with painted wood siding.
- Hail damage requires immediate attention: When hail damages roofs, it is limited to the surface. While it still needs repair, time is not of the essence as it is with siding. Dents, holes and cracks in siding must be addressed immediately. This damage lets in excessive moisture that can lead to mold and structural damage. If you have wood siding, do not merely paint over the damage. It may look better, but you are likely hiding a multitude of issues that could lead to a larger repair bill later.
- Inspections are prudent: You may not see the hail damage initially. Siding may have sustained it in areas where you cannot see it as easily, or superficial damage may be more serious than it appears. If you experience a major hailstorm, consider calling a siding contractor to schedule an inspection. It is better to be safe than sorry in this situation.
- Your insurance may cover repairs: If you sustain hail damage, make a call to your homeowner’s insurance carrier first. Many policies cover hail damage and prevent you from paying for repairs out of pocket. Take pictures and arrange for an inspection so you have the information needed to file a claim. Serious damage may require replacement siding, and that is definitely a job you want insured! If you are not sure whether your homeowner’s insurance covers hail, call your agent to confirm or add coverage. The time to ascertain that is now—not when you are looking over hail damage.
Rhino Exteriors is your expert when it comes to siding in Calgary. If your siding, windows, fences and other home exterior elements sustain hail damage, we are here to help you. Contact us today to schedule an estimate.