How Hail Forms and Damages The Exterior of Homes

Hail is a form of solid rain. This definition also applies to sleet, although there is a difference. Hail is jagged lumps or solid balls of ice, whereas sleet, also called ice pellets is smaller and not as dangerous. Furthermore, sleet falls in cold weather whereas hail requires a warmer surface temperature.

How Hailstones Form Up in the Clouds

Hail occurs in thunderstorms after it materialises in thunderhead cumulonimbus clouds. These form from water vapour carried by powerful upward air currents. Hail forms as these droplets rise to an altitude where the temperature drops below freezing. A cross-section of a hailstone reveals onion-like layers. Scientists once agreed these were the result of multiple ascents and descents.

However, nowadays we have a second line of reasoning. This approach holds that the relative humidity in a thundercloud varies as the droplets ascend a single time before falling. The translucent layers therefore form where there is a high concentration of water droplets, whereas opaque white ice indicates mostly water vapour.

Some Scary Statistics to Know About Hailstones

Hailstones fall to the ground during storms when their weight exceeds the support the updraft provides. This can happen at an altitude as high as 10 kilometres. Furthermore, a hailstone can be up to 15 centimetres diameter. The largest recorded hailstone was 20 centimetres across, and weighed 1.94 kilograms when picked up from the ground in South Dakota in 2010.

Stones of one and eight centimetres respectively may drop at a rate of 32 and 176 kilometres per hour. However, their actual speed depends on stone size, air friction, wind velocity, collisions with raindrops or other hailstones, and melting as the stones fall through warmer atmosphere closer to ground.

How Valiant Exteriors Helps With Hail Damage

If follows that hail rattling down can do severe damage to the outside of homes. We are acknowledged Calgary specialists when it comes to repairing and replacing eavestroughs, soffits, downpipes, and siding in all available materials. We enjoy a professional relationship with insurance companies and their brokers.

If you have just come through a hailstorm and suffered damage, we would like to help. We can help you prepare your insurance claim and liaise with your insurer on your behalf. Then we will restore your home as close as possible to how it looked before the storm. Valiant Exteriors Ltd. is a small, family owned company. When you appoint us, you work directly with the owner.