At a glance: Hailstorm protection means getting ahead of the storm. Impact-resistant roofing, storm shutters, stronger siding, and window well covers all take the force of hail so your home does not. A clear cover over the basement window well keeps hail and debris out while daylight still reaches the room below.
A single severe hailstorm can dent gutters, crack shingles, and break windows in minutes, and the costly repairs add up fast. Hail damage is one of the more avoidable kinds of property damage, though, since a few upgrades and a little planning before the next storm can head off most of it. Here you will find how to protect the roof, windows and doors, siding, basement windows and window wells, and the yard, plus what to do during and after a hailstorm.
How Hail Forms and Where It Hits Hardest
Hail forms when a severe thunderstorm’s updrafts carry raindrops high into the freezing upper levels of the storm, where they turn to ice. The stones keep growing until they get too heavy for the updraft to hold, and then they fall. Straight-down hail is hard enough on a roof, but high winds change the picture. Strong winds can drive hail down at an angle or almost sideways, which is how a storm tears up siding and breaks windows that would otherwise sit out of the line of fire. In a hail-prone area, these severe storms follow the same weather patterns year after year.
Assessing Your Home’s Weak Points
Hail is one of the more unpredictable parts of extreme weather, so the best time to prepare is before a storm is ever in the forecast. Walk around the outside of the house and look for cracks, gaps, or spots that need maintenance, since small problems turn into big ones once hail and heavy rain find them.
- Check the roof for missing shingles or water damage. If climbing up is not safe, scan it from the ground with binoculars or have a roofing professional handle the inspection.
- Look at windows and doors for weak frames or worn seals that could give way under high winds.
- Check basement windows and window wells for missing or cracked covers and clogged drains, since those are easy to overlook.
Hail Proofing Your Roof, Windows, and Siding
Roof
The roof takes the worst of any hailstorm, so it is the first place to strengthen. Impact-resistant roofing materials take the force of hailstones with less damage, and two options that hold up well are metal roofing designed to resist dents and rubber roofing. For shingles, look for a Class 4 rating under the UL 2218 impact test, the highest rating there is, where a two inch steel ball is dropped onto the shingle from twenty feet. Materials only go so far without a good install, so hire experienced roofers who know how to fasten and seal an impact-resistant roof correctly. Replace any loose or damaged shingles right away, before the next storm finds the gap.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are the next weak point. Impact-resistant windows are built to take the force of hailstones, and protective screens add another layer over the glass. Storm shutters that close over the windows ahead of a storm help cut down damage from high winds and flying debris. There are two main types to choose between.
|
Shutter Type |
Material |
How It Works |
|
Permanent |
Aluminum or steel |
Attached to the house and closed in a few minutes when a storm is coming |
|
Temporary |
Corrugated material |
Hinges go on the house ahead of time, and the panels go up when a storm is expected. They take longer to put up but suit homeowners who do not want the look of permanent shutters |
Siding and Exterior Walls
Siding guards the walls, and it dents and cracks like anything else in a bad storm. Impact-resistant siding stands up to hailstones better, and a protective coating on the exterior walls adds one more layer. Good drainage and a solid gutter system matter here too, since they keep water from collecting on the siding and weakening it over time.
Protecting Basement Windows and Window Wells
One spot that gets missed often is the basement window. Basement windows sit at or below ground level inside a window well, so an open well catches hail, leaves, and broken branches during a storm. Even small hailstones can pile up fast where drainage is blocked. As it melts, a well with a clogged drain holds that water right against the basement window, and the potential damage grows the longer it sits. A cracked basement window then gives the water a way straight into the basement, which turns a storm cleanup into a flooding problem.
Window Well Covers From Window Well Experts
That whole chain of damage stops once the well has a cover on it. A window well cover keeps hail and storm debris out of the well, and a clear cover still lets daylight reach the basement window. Sloped covers use clear impact-resistant polycarbonate, the same heavy-duty material found in safety glasses and greenhouse panels, with 250 times the impact resistance of glass. Up to a two inch slope sheds rain, snow, and debris, the UV-treated plastic resists yellowing, and the covers use rust-free aluminum supports and stainless steel hardware. Sloped covers come with a lifetime warranty, and covers on egress wells still release from below for an emergency exit.
Protecting Vehicles and Outdoor Items
Cars
Hail does not stop at the house, and vehicle damage is common in a bad storm. A car left in on an open street takes the full force of the stones, so park in a garage or carport when you can, and keep vehicles away from trees that could drop branches. If a car has to stay outside, a car cover or a few thick blankets protect the paint and glass, as long as you fasten them so the wind does not pull them off. For longer-term protection, hail nets are built to handle hail work well.
Trees, Furniture, and Plants
The yard needs a quick pass too. Trim trees near the house and cut back dead or overhanging branches, since storm winds can snap them off onto the roof. Before the storm arrives, bring patio furniture and anything else hail could damage inside. Move potted plants to a covered area so they ride out the storm.
What to Do During a Hailstorm
When a weather alert warns of large hail, or the stones start to fall, go inside and stay away from windows and glass doors. A basement or an interior room is the safest place to wait it out. If large hail breaks windows or skylights, cover your head and body with pillows, blankets, or a mattress. Wait until the hail stops before heading outside to move cars or furniture, since stones can keep coming even after the worst looks over.
What to Do After a Hailstorm
Once the storm passes, check the damage from the ground. Look over the roof, gutters, siding, windows, and basement windows for dents and cracks. Check each window well for piled-up hail, branches, and debris, and clear the drain so the melting hail can run off before it causes additional damage. Take photos of all the damage before any cleanup or repairs, then contact your homeowners insurance company to start an insurance claim.
Get Ahead of the Next Hailstorm
In regions that see frequent severe weather, hail protection ahead of time costs far less than the repairs after a storm. A walk around the outside of the house is the best way to find the weak spots, and basement windows and window wells belong on that walk-around right alongside the roof and siding.
Don’t leave your basement windows exposed to the next hailstorm. Window Well Experts offers durable window well covers that help keep hail, debris, and stormwater out of your wells. With nationwide shipping, a lifetime warranty, and a team available seven days a week, protecting your basement windows is easier than ever. Call 1-888-650-9355 or request a free estimate online to find the right cover for your home.