Some people say that hail storms are ice-solated incidents, but here in the United States the damage has proven devastating. Causing an average of $15 billion dollars in repairs to homes, cars, and crops each year, hail storms could very well be every homeowner’s worst nightmare.
Wisconsin, known for its picturesque landscapes and changing weather patterns, is no stranger to hailstorms. When a hailstorm strikes, the damage to roofs can be extensive. Shingles can be cracked or punctured, flashing can be bent or torn, and gutters can be dented or detached. If not addressed promptly and professionally, the damage that hail storms inflict on roofs can lead to costly repairs.
Since their founding in 2015, Brookens Construction has been a trusted ally for Wisconsin residents in their battle against hail. With their passion and hard work all year round, these experts ensure that homeowners tackle hailstorms like pros – and a large part of that is identifying roofs that need hail repair, especially because it’s not always easy to spot.
If hundreds, if not thousands of small, icy pellets fall from the sky and onto the roof of a home, it puts the building’s most important waterproofing component at risk of faltering.
“It’s interesting because even if a massive hailstone, like three inches in diameter, hits a roof, the roof doesn’t always show signs of leaking,” says Co-Owner and Founder of Brookens Constructions, Aaron Brookens.
With over 14 years of roofing experience, and having spent the better part of a decade leading Brookens Construction, he shares that it can take up to several years before any signs of water damage can be found.
“Even someone as experienced as myself can’t always identify the damage from the ground. If I’m standing in the driveway looking up at the roof, I can’t see it, so the homeowner just doesn’t have the wherewithal to identify whether or not their roof is going to fall short a few years down the road or not,” he explains.
Although it may look fine on the surface, tiny cracks or holes can be letting water in, and all of a sudden, there can be water running down behind the walls of your home or accumulating on top of your ceilings and turning into mold.
“It could also turn into a lot worse,” says Brookens. “It could also turn into mold, which can turn into health issues for your loved ones in the house,” he continues.
Exposure to mold can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue.
Additionally, if a person waits a few years down the road until they see signs of water damage, filing a successful insurance claim can be tricky. Most carriers will only grant a period of twelve months time to report any damages from the date of loss.
“So if a hailstorm hits today, you have twelve months to get it covered by insurance. That’s the problem. If you’re like, ‘no, I’m fine, it’s not leaking right now,’ but it goes and starts leaking three years from now, and you try contacting your insurance company at that time, they’ll tell you, sorry, you’re outside the claim period. We can’t do anything for you.’ That’s their positioning,” Brookens explains.
In their 8 plus years of service, Brookens Construction has performed a countless number of free inspections for Wisconsin homeowners.
“If there’s hail damage, we’ll identify it. We’ll put it into a damage report, we’ll show you what we’re seeing on the roof, and that’s all there is to it,” says Brookens.
The company has hundreds of 5 star reviews, an A+ rating with the BBB, is Google Guaranteed, and received the highest level of certifications through several different shingle manufacturers. Their approach to inspections ensures that homeowners have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their property–and go into any insurance claim with the data they need to make themselves whole again.
Brookens continues to build upon its foundations as one of the Midwest’s top roofers. They’re currently ranked number 1,372 on the Inc 5000 for fastest-growing companies in 2023, and they’re the 11th fastest-growing company in Wisconsin. Their diligence in helping people repair their roofs after hail storms is one of the many reasons why they continue to gain recognition and trust.
Acting also as an advocate, Brookens meets with their client’s insurance adjuster to ensure that everything is accounted for in their claim. Once the claim is approved, they work with the homeowner to choose the right product and colors to suit their needs.
Serving the greater Madison, Milwaukee, and Fox Valley areas, Brookens Constructions is a local hail damage expert. Visit their website to learn more.
