How to Identify Hail Damage on a Modified Bitumen Commercial Roof in Irving, Texas

I was in Irving, Texas the other day inspecting a commercial roof on a strip center. We were tracking down roof leaks caused by a recent storm and putting together a proposal for a silicone roof coating. The existing roof was Modified Bitumen (Mod-Bit). I thought it would be worth sharing what I came across, in an effort to help educate property owners and managers on what to look for when identifying hail damage on a commercial roof. This property is located at 183 and North Story Road in Irving.

Metal surfaces are always a great place to see hail impact. An older painted surface such as a mechanical RTU sidewall will oxidize over time, so hail impact — and the size of the hail — will easily show up. Mechanical RTU aluminum coils will be knocked flat. Horizontal metal surfaces such as roof vents will show impact as well.

Another obvious sign of a hail event is surface granule loss from the Modified Bitumen membrane. You will see granule build up toward the drip edge, in the gutters, below downspouts on the ground below, and in ponding areas on the roof. Larger hail cores will produce small circular impacts on the roof membrane surface, and granular loss will be obvious in these locations.

Just a few helpful tips from your local commercial roof repair and roof coatings expert, servicing Irving, Texas since 2013!