Circled hail damage on South Charlotte roof

Circled hail damage on South Charlotte roof caused by recent isolated thunderstorm.

Spring thunderstorms can bring rain and be a blessing for homeowners. Especially for dry lawns and homeowners who have flower and vegetable gardens. However, the sheer magnitude of a storm can escalate quickly turning a blessing into a burden. This time of year storms are very unpredictable and dangerous. What is going on as a steady rain on your street may be a full-on hail storm on just the next street over. This is the reason we have been receiving requests from all over the Charlotte and South Charlotte area in just the last few weeks from homeowners who have suffered hail damage to the exterior of their homes.

“In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” Mark Twain

While spring officially sprung in late March, it’s only been in the last few weeks that we’ve seen the characteristically unpredictable weather that ushers in the fun-in-the-sun summer. According to the CDC, during spring, temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy to weather cool enough to need a sweater!  Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather; sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day. Because spring weather can be so unpredictable, you may be unprepared when severe weather hits—especially if you live in a region that does not often experience these types of events. And when severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of injury and death increases. So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, hail, floods and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming, because in the spring, they very likely will.

Golf ball sized hail can wreak havoc on your roof.

Golfball sized hail can wreak havoc on your roof, siding and windows!

The North Carolina storm season generally begins in early spring and runs through fall. During this time it is not uncommon for Charlotteans to experience high winds, heavy rain, and even golf-ball sized hail when these storms occur. As defined by the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1st and ends on November 30th, it is also possible for areas as far inland as Charlotte to feel the effects of tropical cyclones that form in the Atlantic basin as well. Storms can not only be a danger for you and your family; the effects can also cause an exorbitant amount of damage to your home. In particular, hail can cause severe damage to your home’s roof, shingles and even your windows and siding.

Right here in the Ballantyne area of South Charlotte, we were recently contacted by homeowners who sustained roof damage, siding damage and a broken window from an isolated thunderstorm which escalated in severity very quickly and produced large, golfball sized hail within minutes.

Don’t be fooled in thinking you can predict Mother Nature!

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hail causes an average of $1 billion damage to crops and property each year. There were 7,031 major hail storms in 2012, according to statistics culled from NOAA’s Severe Storms database, with the largest number of severe hail storms occurring in May (1,689 storms), March (1,146 storms), and April (1,053 storms). Texas had the largest number of severe hail events in 2012, followed by Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

Belk Builders is here for all your exterior siding, window and roofing storm damage needs:

Belk Builders your roofing expert in South Charlotte!

Belk Builders, your roofing expert in South Charlotte!

Belk Builders is the Charlotte areas’ premier upscale company to handle your roofing, siding and replacement window needs, including replacement due to damage caused by storms and hail. We have over 25 years’ experience in roofing, siding and window replacement, using only the highest quality products on the market. We will conduct a thorough inspection of your home to evaluate storm damage and even meet with your insurance adjuster. We strive to provide homeowners the cost for roof replacement and additional pertinent information up front and based on the insurance estimate. Since we are locally owned, and operated we are a hands-on company that employs our own quality crews that you can trust. We will also work along with your insurance company in getting the completion certificate.  In many cases we have been able to provide our customers with an upgrade to a better roof within their budget as well..

Kent Frerichs Owner Belk Builders

Kent Frerichs, Owner Belk Builders.

If you are interested in exploring replacement siding, window or  roofing options ( including metal accent roofing) or looking for the right company to help you with your damaged siding, window or roofing needs following damage sustained after a storm, contact Belk Builders at (704) 400-4710 or info@belkcustombuilders.com to schedule an exterior damage inspection and evaluation today!   Siding, Window Replacement, Roofing & More!