Hail Is a Threat to Your Ocean City Business | SERVPRO® of The Lower Shore

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

You know how every superhero team has somebody who, though they may possess incredible powers and abilities, still gets viewed as kind of an also-ran? That’s the story of hail for many people.

Maybe it’s because other natural weather occurrences possess more spectacle or pizazz that they get all the headlines, but whatever the reason, hail is the Hawkeye of natural disasters. But hail deserves more respect—it’s actually one of the most damaging weather threats we face in the United States.

Hail causes an average of about $11 billion in damages every year, and it’s not surprising considering there were over 4,600 hailstorms last year alone.

And while Maryland isn’t exactly part of the Midwest’s “hail alley” (though the alley is widening), hail can strike anywhere, at anytime, when the conditions are right, and the conditions are right across the U.S. more often than almost anywhere else on the planet.

So as an Ocean City area business owner, what can you do to prevent hail damage and protect your valued assets?

Take care of your roof. Your roof takes a beating constantly from sun, rain, critters and their factors, but hail can cause acute damage, especially large hail. Always inspect your roof after any major storm, looking for broken or damaged shingles, or granules on the ground or in your downspouts. Don’t wait when you see damage or when your roof starts to show signs of wear—get it fixed or replaced to save yourself damage from invasive water.

Reinforce your windows. Impact-resistant windows are doubly helpful for coastal businesses, because they can minimize the potential impact of both hail and tropical storms. Large hail can definitely shatter standard glass, and of course you’re certainly aware of the power of hurricanes—installing stronger windows can help prevent breakages, and it may actually decrease your insurance costs in the process.

Keep assets covered. Some hail damage is preventable simply by moving some things indoors or under covers. Any outdoor equipment that can be moved inside or covered should be taken care of in an impending storm, and company vehicles can be moved to garages or carports for protection. Even if you have to pay a few bucks to park in a carpark, it’s worth it to keep from having to repair dents or broken windows. Keep important indoor assets away from windows during heavy storms as well. And of course, keep your most valuable assets—your team—safe during hail and thunderstorms as well, by keeping them indoors until it’s safe outside again.

Hail damage happens, but when it does we’ll be there to fix your business up. Contact SERVPRO today to see how quickly we can help you recover from damage of all kinds.