In Dallas, hailstorms are a constant threat, and as an apartment complex owner or manager, you know the toll they can take on your property. From damaging roofs to impacting the safety and comfort of your tenants, hailstorms can create serious challenges.
If your apartment complex has been hit by a recent storm, roof repair is likely a top priority. Factors like hail size, wind speed, roofing material, and the age and condition of your roof all determine the extent of the damage—and how quickly you’ll need to act to protect your investment. If you think you need apartment complex roof repair, we’ve outlined what owners and managers like you need to know to address hail damage efficiently and effectively.
Duty to Mitigate Further Damages to the Roof of Your Apartment Complex
You have a duty to mitigate the damages from hail to your building’s roof. If you let it go and more damage is caused, you will have a hard time getting the insurance company to cover your extra losses.
Apartment complex managers or owners should schedule a professional roof inspection if any damage is thought to have happened after a hailstorm. This can help ensure you live up to your responsibility as a landlord and to your insurance company to mitigate damages.
Consequences of Hail Damage and Apartment Complex Roof Repair
The consequences of hail damage for any roof, even an apartment complex roof, if not addressed, can be quite major. Leaks and water damage can occur, as well as a reduced roof lifespan. Even roof damage that appears quite minor can weaken the structure of your roof, speeding up its deterioration, sometimes requiring premature replacement.
Damaged roofs that are ignored, especially those from hailstorms, can even decrease energy efficiency. That can lead to a loss of proper heating during the winter and cool air leakage during the summer. As a result, your tenant’s utility bills could become be higher.
Without repairs, the damage caused by hail and the storms that come with it can eventually lead to problems with the structural integrity of your building. That can pose a risk to the safety of the people living or working inside and can costly repairs (or even lawsuits).
On aesthetic damage, hail also affects it. A visibly damaged roof or building can negatively impact its resale value. It detracts from the property’s appearance and can serve as an eyesore (and red flag) to potential renters or buyers.
Apartment Complex Roof Repair of Shingles Roofs
The impact of hail can crack or severely fracture parts of your roof, especially the shingles. It can easily compromise their function and purpose, allowing water to infiltrate and invade. The damage may not be immediately visible, and frequently isn’t, but it can weaken the structure of your shingles over time, causing severe damage over time.
Strong winds accompanying these hailstorms, which we experience so significantly in Dallas, can dislodge and lift the shingles from their adhesive strips, leaving them vulnerable to outside threats like water. If water takes its place, it will only cause more problems within your building and roof, including rot, depending on the material the building is made of.
Apartment Complex Roof Repair of Metal Roofs
If your apartment complex roof is metal, you’re not safe from larger hail, either. You are at less risk if your building’s roof is made of metal, and while not always functionally damaging, hail can reduce the lifespan of your metal roof. Not to mention, it can cause undesirable aesthetics — Dents in metal roofs don’t exactly scream, “Move in today!” to potential renters.
Apartment Complex Roof Repair of Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are a common choice for apartment complexes due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance. However, they are not immune to hail damage.
Hail can cause cracks, punctures, or pooling water on flat roofs, which may lead to leaks and interior water damage if left unaddressed.
Additionally, the protective coating on flat roofs can wear down over time, making them more vulnerable to weather events. Regular inspections and prompt repairs are essential to maintaining the integrity of flat roofs and ensuring the safety and comfort of residents.
Do You Need an Apartment Complex Roof Repair?
SEI Roofing is a local roofing company with experience making repairs on buildings of all types, including apartment complex roof repairs.
The hailstorms we face here in Dallas can cause severe underlying issues and should never be ignored. Storm damage roof inspections and professional repairs are the key to ensuring the structural integrity of your building and longevity of your roof.