Hail Storm in New Jersey (NJ) July 1, 2016- Hainesport, Lumberton, Eastampton

A severe hailstorm damaged several areas of southern New Jersey on July 1st, 2016. 1-inch hail was reported in Hainesport and Lumberton and 1.25-inch hail was reported for Eastampton Township. To offer some perspective, 1-inch hail is generally compared to the size of a quarter while that of 1.25 inches is about the size of a golf ball.

It should be noted that while the main reports list the three above-mentioned towns, as with most larger storm cells, several other areas were struck by hail with varying degrees of magnitude. See below for the estimated storm swath, courtesy of StormerSite.com.

Hail Storm Swath for July 1, 2016- Hainesport, Lumberton & Eastampton, New Jersey 




























As you can see, the storm affected a much larger area than that which the basic storm reports will give credit for. It appears to have struck as far south as Washington Township and as far north as (close to) Bordentown Township, while hitting several points in between, including parts of Voorhees, Evesham, Mt. Laurel, Mt. Holly, Cherry Hill, Willingboro and Burlington to name a few.

It should also be noted that this particular storm swath is one that is offered for free. Other swaths that are likely more accurate actually show more details about the true nature of this storm as well as more detailed assessments of the hail size per geography. Some hailstones within this storm are actually reported at 1.5" and even 1.75".

Below is a video of a the storm hitting Mt. Holly

Hail of this magnitude can and does damage asphalt shingle roofing systems as well as exterior aluminum of a housing structure- most notably siding and exterior trim capping. Some exterior vinyl siding can sustain damage from these types of storms as well.

Besides the size of the actual hailstones, other factors that may determine the amount of damage from a given hail event are the density of the hail, the strength of the driving winds and the duration of the hail event.

Hail Damage to an Asphalt Roofing Shingle
If you live somewhere within this storm's path, you likely have sustained some form of hail damage. It is important to note that exterior hail damage is typically not completely obvious to the average consumer. Damage to a roofing shingle can be determined by a trained professional and can almost never bee seen from the ground. Still, this damage can severely undermine the functionality of a roofing shingle while also depleting the lifespan of the roof as well.

If left unrepaired, future damage such as a roof leak may not be covered by an insurance carrier as it may be seen as secondary damage that was caused by primary damage (hail damage) that was never addressed in the first place. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you have your house inspected by a professional before you assume that your house has not sustained damage.

Hail Damage to Aluminum Siding
Hail damage to aluminum siding can be very subtle, especially in certain lighting situations.
However, when viewing a hail-damaged elevation of siding, the wall that initially looks normal can suddenly appear ravaged as the lighting changes. Homeowners often notice hail damage on their own if they happen to glance upon their siding at a particular time of day or when the angle of the sun is just right, or at night, when an exterior light fixture shines upon a damaged elevation. If noticed after the statute of limitations which can vary by insurance carrier, a homeowner will not be covered.

The lesson here is to have your home inspected by a professional to determine whether or not your house has sustained sufficient damage to justify a claim- and do so promptly! When choosing this professional, the average house inspector may not be the most qualified person to perform a hail damage inspection. While most home inspectors are knowledgeable about structural, termite or mold hazards, hail damage is a totally different sector and should be assessed by someone that has experience within the residential hail damage industry.

Of course, a hail damage contractor or a home improvement contractor that specializes in hail damage recovery is often a smart choice for a homeowner looking to receive a free and honest assessment of their potential hail damage situation. When looking up such contractors, you'll likely learn quickly that several contractors claim to be "hail damage experts." It is important to remember, however, that expertise comes with experience.

When choosing a contractor to perform a hail damage inspection, you want to make sure that they are knowledgeable, not only about hail damage itself, but about the hail damage claim process. Working with insurance companies and their representatives to negotiate a fair settlement is an art unto itself and, assuming you have sustained damage, you want to choose a contractor that can act intelligently on your behalf to ensure that you receive proper compensation for the damage you sustained- that way you can repair your house fully and properly.

Completed Roofing, Siding & Gutter Project as a Result of Hail Damage
Aside from being knowledgeable about hail damage and the hail damage claim process, it is absolutely vital that your contractor is reputable and performs high-quality work with name brand materials. Too often, consumers get sucked into using a contractor because of all the promises of free work, that they forget to vet the contractor before it's too late. Sure, many contractors (including reputable ones) offer a cost-free guarantee when it comes to hail damage insurance jobs but if a contractor performs sub-par work or is simply incompetent, all the "free" in the world won't fix your situation.

In short you need to hire a reputable and experienced contractor to ensure that you not only receive fair and proper compensation from your insurance company but also that you receive a quality installation with superior customer service.

Call JP Construction today to schedule your free hail damage inspection! Call us at (877) 846-9566.