Spotting Hail Damage on Your Roof
Hail damage doesn't always leak right away. It can shorten a roof's life by years, so it's worth knowing what to look for.
Request a rooferWhat it looks like
Round dark spots where granules have been knocked off, sometimes with a soft, bruised feel to the shingle underneath. Larger hail can crack shingles or break edges.
Check soft metal first
Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, window screens and the air conditioner's fins are easier to see from the ground and suggest the roof was hit too.
Why it matters
Granules protect asphalt from sunlight. Where they're gone, shingles age faster, crack and eventually leak, sometimes a year or two after the storm.
Don't climb up
Hail-damaged shingles can be slippery and fragile. Leave close inspection to a roofer.
Insurance and timing
Many policies have time limits for reporting storm damage. Check yours, and note the date of the storm.
Get it checked
See roof inspections, or send a request with the storm date.
Hail on other parts of the house
Look at siding, window frames, the deck and car roofs too. Chipped paint, split vinyl siding and dented outdoor furniture are all signs that hail was large enough to damage shingles.
After the inspection
If a roofer finds hail damage, ask for photos of the marks and how many areas are affected. Insurers often look at how many hits appear in a set area of roof when deciding on a claim.
Keep a storm log
Write down the date and time of each hail storm, and keep any local news reports or weather alerts. It helps if damage only becomes obvious months later.
More roofing guides
Roof trouble in the Dayton area?
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