How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
Start by checking the soft metals around your home. Dents in gutters, downspouts, vent caps and window screens are a good sign that hail hit your property. On the roof, hail damage usually looks like dark, round spots where the granules have been knocked off the shingle. Granules in your gutters alone do not prove hail damage, because shingles shed some granules as they age.
Check Around Your Home First
Hail hits everything on your property, not only the roof. Walk around your home and look at the gutters and downspouts, metal vent caps, air conditioning units, window screens, garage door and any painted or stained wood.
Hail that is large enough to damage a roof usually leaves marks on several of these surfaces.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on Shingles
Hail damage on a shingle is usually a round, dark spot where the granules have been knocked loose. The spot may feel soft when pressed, and the damage is usually spread randomly across the slopes that faced the storm.
Some roof wear can look similar to hail damage, such as blistering, granule loss from water runoff, and scuffs from foot traffic. A trained inspector can tell the difference. Our inspections are done using the HAAG training method.
Signs Inside Your Home
Hail damage does not always cause a leak right away, but it can shorten the life of your roof. If you notice a stain on a ceiling, damp insulation in the attic or daylight coming through the roof deck, have your roof looked at as soon as possible.
Be Careful After a Storm
After a hail storm, it is common for roofing crews from outside the area to go door to door. Be cautious of anyone who gives you a price before inspecting the roof, offers to cover your deductible, pressures you to sign right away, or does not have a local address.
It is always a good idea to work with a local, established roofing company.
Related Questions
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
It depends on the age and type of the roof, the wind and the hail itself. Older shingles can be damaged by smaller hail than new shingles.
Can I inspect my roof myself?
You can safely check for damage from the ground. Getting on the roof yourself is risky and can damage the shingles, so leave the roof inspection to a professional.
Why was my neighbor approved when I was denied?
Hail can fall unevenly, so two homes on the same street can take very different amounts of damage. It also depends on what was documented during the inspection.
Does a hail-damaged roof always need to be replaced?
Not always. Minor damage in one area may be repairable. Widespread damage across multiple slopes usually means the roof needs to be replaced.
