Hail Damage To Built Up Roof With Ballast

2 1 2 threshold size for damage to well supported ballasted built up.

Hail damage to built up roof with ballast.

Built up roofing or bur systems have been in use in the u s. In 2019 the united states experienced 5 396 large hail storms as documented by the noaa severe weather database. One of these storm clusters was a beast of a hail storm in colorado. Built up roofs or burs also called a tar and gravel roof is a well established and popular style of flat roof that is made up of alternating layers of roofing felt or fiberglass and asphalt that is applied with heat which combine to make a long lasting sturdy roofing system.

Assessing hail damage on gravel ballasted built up roofs in this interview with denise johnson ryan chauncey executive director of operations at nelson forensics explains the difficulty of assessing hail damage on gravel ballasted built up roofs and why hail size isn t enough to evaluate damage. That storm dropped a record setting 4 83 inch diameter hailstone in bethune colorado. Built up systems are installed by alternating layers of asphalt or tar and supporting fabrics directly onto the roof. The hail resistance of built up roofs has been known to be substantial especially when covered with loose and embedded gravel in an asphalt flood coat.

These roof systems are commonly referred to as tar and gravel roofs. However occasional disputes arise in the settlement of insurance claims over the size hail needed to cause damage to a built up roof and what those characteristics are. According to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration noaa there was a total of 4 611 hail storms in the united states during the year 2018 with 2019 ending on a higher number as of year end more than 5 396 hail events were recorded although most people think that property and roof damage only occur in rare instances with larger than average hailstones even the smallest. For over 100 years.

To speak to one of haag s engineer s about your assignment contact us here or call 800 527 0168 or 214 614 6500. Severe damage caused by wind and hail damage like this is not uncommon when a combination of large hail projectiles and an intense windstorm combine to inflict serious damage on roofs windows siding and air conditioning units as well as unprotected automobiles and other. One special type of built up roofing called ballasted roofing uses large stones about 1 1 2 to 2 1 2 inches in diameter for the surface layer. Ballasted roofs hail ca n remove some of the loose.

Every year multiple hail storms cause billions of dollars of property damage. With a ballasted system the lower layers are not adhered or fastened to the roof structure and the heavy surface layer keeps the roofing in place.