Manufactured Hail Damage: Telling Fraud From Storm Damage

This article deals with the darker side of humanity. On occasion, roof damage is purposefully inflicted in an attempt to simulate compromise by wind and hailstorm activity and in an effort to carry out insurance fraud. The author has reviewed such instances for over 30 years, and there is always supporting evidence that signals fraudulent activity. The practicing roofing expert should be aware of these examples. Manufactured Hail Damage ulate natural hail impacts (Figures 1-4). Ice gles and felt, and extended even into the Exposure to damaging hail generally particles, regardless of size, will not pulver- wood decking. results in pockmarks, bruising, chipped ize mineral granules (Figure 3). Where sur- Fortunately, damaging hail almost shingle edges, and breakage of unsupported facing material has been reduced to powder, always generates peripheral damage. zones such as rakeline overhangs. Crushing there is something else at work. Consequently, nearby greenhouses, gutters, of mineral granules from deliberate blunt Figure 5 depicts a case in which the downspouts, soft-copper valley liners, chimforce impact is not hail-related influence. owner spent considerable effort simulating a ney flashing, and light-gauge attic vents Tools and techniques of every form imagin- fairly random pattern of impacts. The prob- should provide insight into the actual storm able have been used in an attempt to sim- lem in this instance was the tool used—the intensity. Significant hail will also leave small (angular) end of a ball- a signature on older wood, plastics, and peen hammer. These strikes exposed paint. Oxidized paint on roadside (although uniformly created) utility boxes (Figure 7) is a wonderful wit- were small, yet they pulver- ness to hailstorm particle size and inten- ized the surfacing granules, sity. Similarly, well pump covers, HVAC punctured two plies of shin- condenser fins, window screens, hot-tub Figure 1 – Deliberate puncture from round mandrel of some type. Figure 2 – Unnatural radial pattern from deliberate impacts. This type of pattern can be inflicted by anything from a rake handle to a golf ball in a sock. 6 • I n t e r f a c e December 2013 Figure 3 – Another technique to simulate hail pockmarks is known as “dime-spinning,” although other denominations work just as well. Peripheral observations will support or negate the intensity of whatever hail was actually sustained. Figure 4 – Crushing of mineral granules from deliberate blunt-force impact. Hail particles, regardless of size, will not pulverize granules, reducing them to powder. covers, and the like can serve to refute or validate the nature of storm intensity being claimed. Large-leaf vegetation, (e.g., Caladia and Colocasia plants, banana trees, and even tobacco fields) is a reliable silent onlooker of recent hailstorm activity. Claiming wholesale roof destruction when fragile nearby plantings are unaffected does not square with the facts. It may also not align with the readily available hail report services. Small ice particles Figure 5 – The small end have little kinetic ener- of a ball-peen hammer gy; and on roofs in was used on this one. reasonably functional Impacts extended through condition, such hail two plies of shingles, does not reduce ser- underlayment, and into vice life. But a small decking. Hail particles increase in size causes of this small size would exponential increase have no such kinetic in falling energy. energy. Again, the granule Remembering the for- surfacing was powdered; mula for volume of a also note the linear sphere (4/3πr3), vol- pattern of swing lines. ume varies as the cube Large Caladiums and of radius. Large hail Colocasia plants (elephant can inflict damage but ears) directly below this just as well may not, roof were completely depending on particle unaffected. hardness, roof condition, and even prevailing temperature at the time of exposure. So much good literature has been published about this aspect that it will not be explored further here. The point is to recognize what is not hail-related; legitimate damage to a roof should be reconciled by peripheral observations. Manufactured Wind Damage Manufactured wind damage is the ugly stepsister of fraudulent hail damage. Ordinary wind damage will involve torn, creased, or folded tabs or even loss of entire courses. Linear creasing at the top of tab exposure Figure 6 – Innocent, natural, random pattern of legitimate hailstone pockmarks. These are greying-out from UV exposure in contrast with more recent hits that would be darker. December 2013 I n t e r f a c e • 7 Figure 7 – A little detective work will prove worthwhile. Here, the oxidized paint of a roadside utility box provides good evidence regarding particle size (all smaller than a penny). Markings on a roof that deviate appreciably from this should be regarded with suspicion. Figure 8 – The author witnessed this pattern made by a well- meaning contractor who was determining the nailing pattern; nonetheless, this is not a natural pattern of creasing due to high winds. Tabs were very well bonded here. When some damage is encountered but remaining shingles are very well bonded, the basis for concern is present.