Albert Lea, MN Dealing With Tornado Damage After Large Hail, Strong Winds Hit Area In Latest  Minnesota Storm

Clean up was under way in Albert Lea, Minnesota after series of spring thunderstorms hit the area with strong winds, hail and heavy rain.  Tennis ball-sized hail pelted the Albert Lea area.  Winds blew over semitrailers, ripped sheet metal off roofs and toppled barns and power poles.

You may not always be able to see the damage to your roof, but a trained professional can.  If the necessary repairs are not made immediately, your roof will begin to show “black spots” from the hail…breaking down your shingles.  LEAKS will soon follow!

What does hail do to a roof? Shingles are designed so that the granules block the UV of the sun and protect the asphalt underlayment.  As the shingles age the granules fall off over time.  As the asphalt is exposed the UV, it dries out and the shingle gets a “potato chip” appearance as the corners start to curl up.  A shingle at the extreme end of its life is bubbled in appearance and is brittle to touch.

Hail does several things:

• Accelerates Granule loss
• Accelerates shingle aging
• Voids manufacturer’s warranties
• Leads to other associated problems

• What does a hail hit look like? A hail hit on a shingle looks like a “bruise” or a dark spot where the granules on the shingle have been knocked off and the asphalt underlayment and sometimes the fiberglass mat is exposed.  New hail hits will have a shiny appearance because the asphalt has been freshly exposed and has not had time to weather to a dull color.
• Do I need to get my roof replaced right away? The insidious nature of hail damage is that it may pose no immediate threat to the structural integrity of the roof.  However, many insurance companies have a “statute of limitations” of how long a hail claim is viable.  If you have experienced a loss such as hail damage, it is prudent to take care of the problem in a timely manner before it leads to other associated problems.
• Once again, City officials in Albert Lea, Minnesota are urging residents to check the credentials of anyone going door-to-door offering hail damage repair services.  Residents can ask all solicitors to show their identification and a copy of their city-issued license prior to discussing any potential services.  Don’t be afraid to ask for some references from previous customers.