Why Flat Roofing Systems Are More Vulnerable To Hail Damage

There are ways to prepare your roof for a hail storm, but you also need to pay attention to the aftermath. Flat roofing systems are particularly vulnerable to hail damage. If you manage a building or facility with a flat roof, here’s what you need to know.

Flat Roofing Systems and Hail

Flat roofing systems are much more vulnerable to hail damage because of the type of impact. Because there isn’t a slop, every hailstone is a direct hit. 

Keep your eye out for hail damage on TPO, EPDM, and single-ply membrane roofing systems.

TPO and single-ply membrane roofs are all tough and durable, able to withstand hailstones up to 1¾“, but Colorado has boasted hailstones up to 4.8” in diameter, so even the strongest roof is threatened by hail.

Best Flat Roof For Hail Storm

EPDM is the most flexible and durable of single-ply membrane roofing systems. EPDM can withstand hailstones up to 2½“ in diameter depending on the underlayers. 

You can make your flat roofing system more impact resistant by placing rigid boards below the outer membrane. With a softer underlayer, large hailstones are more likely to cause damage to any flat roof. 

Spotting Hail Damage to a Flat Roofing System

Hail damage to a flat roofing system may be easy to spot. It will be evident if the hailstones have torn, cracked, or fractured the membrane. However, there may be hard-to-spot damage that leaves your roof vulnerable to a host of other problems, including water damage. And hail storms can also cause problems for different areas of the roofing system, besides the single-ply membrane, like the seams, flashings, and slope changes.

The older your roof, the more susceptible it is to damage, whether from hail, wind, or other weather. Building managers need to continuously maintain their commercial roofing systems, especially flat roofing systems, all year round. 

Contact Front Range Roofing Contractor About Flat Roofing Systems

Contact us to schedule a consultation if you have questions or concerns about your flat roofing system after a hail storm. The faster we can assess the damage, the faster we can find the right solution moving forward.