April showers bring May flowers… and hail storms to many parts of the U.S. While this is one weather phenomenon that many people are used to what is surprising is how much property damage a single storm can cause. 

In 2018 alone, the US had 4,611 major hail storms 

And as a homeowner, you may already be familiar with separate hail or severe weather deductibles included in your homeowners insurance policy. This often means you have to pay MORE out of pocket to repair hail damage if your home is impacted. While you may not be able to predict the weather, the good news is that you can take steps to minimize hail damage to protect your home and your wallet. Here’s how:

1. Choose the Most Durable Roofing Materials

Your home's roof is the first line of defense against the elements - including major hail storms. A Tilcor stone coated steel roof offers the highest level of protection when it comes to preventing hail damage. Not only are our tiles Class 4 Impact Resistant, our “concealed fastening” system protects all fastening elements making roofs more reliable, watertight, and durable than any other product. 

Our shingles are finished off with an added protection of embedding natural stone granules in an acrylic base coat. What his means is our products are 100% waterproof, earthquake safe, fire-resistant, and able to withstand hurricane-force winds of up to 120 mph. A Ticor roof is so durable, it may even qualify you for a homeowners insurance discount! 

2. Protect Your Car

To protect your car, you need to cover it. If you don’t have a garage, invest in a metal-based carport or canopy. If that isn’t an option, a heavy-duty hail cover could be another option as well. A foam or inflatable type would be best so the impact is lessened while also protecting your car from thunderstorm burns. 

If you’re driving and a hail storm surprises you, it’s best to find roofed parking and stay parked until the storm recedes. After the storm passes, inspect your vehicle for any damage sustained while trying to find shelter. 

3. Trim Trees Regularly 

If your trees are overlooking your driveway or house, they need to be trimmed back. Hail can easily weigh enough to break a branch and leave damage. 

4. Enclose your Deck or Patio

Enclosing outdoor spaces with walls and a roof will save you from replacing your outdoor furniture. 

5. Close Your Curtains

While watching a hail storm can be cool, getting an injury from a broken window due to hail, is not. Hail can cause damage to the window and if your curtains are open, the damage can spread and you can easily receive an injury. 

If you live in an area prone to high winds or severe weather, there’s never been a better time to invest in a high quality roofing system to protect your home. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help and get you connected with a reputable and local roofing contractor who can upgrade your home with a Tilcor roof.