Background

The property owner of several townhome buildings reported the hail from a rainstorm caused damage the roofs of the townhome buildings consisting of a combination of flat built-up tar and gravel, roll roofing, and concrete tiles. According to the National Weather Service, flash flooding was reported in the area, but severe wind or hail was not reported during that time period.

Services Provided

Rimkus was retained to investigate the roofs of townhome buildings and to determine if hail from the rainstorm had damaged the roofs of the townhome buildings. Services included the following.

• Performed visual inspections of the townhome buildings and roof systems.
• Analyzed the combined effects of heat, wind, precipitation, and thermal stresses, coupled with repeated wetting and drying cycles which can often result in decomposition of roofing materials.
• Examined roof surfaces that revealed evidence of roof surface wear in the form of cracked and blistered roll roofing, cracked and blistered built-up tar and gravel roofing, and deteriorated sprayed-on foam in the surface which can eventually render the roof surface ineffective.
• Inspected roof vents, metal flashing, air-conditioning units, and skylights for evidence of hail damage, such as dents and dings.
• Examined the weather data from the National Weather Service.