Home/Hail damage signs
Storm and hail · Diagnose first
Hail damage signs on shingles
Look for circular bruises where granules are missing and the mat beneath feels soft. A random pattern, sharp edges and hits on all slopes separate hail from ordinary wear. Most of it can be checked from the ground.
Hail damage is easy to miss and easy to mistake for something else. The difference matters: real hail damage may be claimable, and ordinary wear is not. These are the signs to look for and the things that only look like hail.
1Hail or something else?
| What you see | Pattern | Likely cause |
|---|---|---|
| Dark circular spots, soft underneath, sharp edges | Random, on all slopes, heavier on one side | Hail |
| Even granule loss, faded or bare areas | Uniform, worst on the sunniest slopes | Age and wear |
| Round spots that are raised, not depressed | Scattered | Blistering |
| Scuffs and marks in a line | Follows a walking path | Foot traffic or tools |
| Straight crease across the shingle, lifted tabs | Along one exposure | Wind |
2How to check from the ground
- Check the soft metal firstGutters, vents, flashing and the garage door dent at hail sizes that may not fracture a shingle. Dents tell you hail fell and which direction it came from.
- Scan each slope with binocularsLook for dark spots scattered at random. Start with the slope that faced the storm.
- Compare sunny and shaded slopesWear is worst where the sun is strongest. Hail hits the storm side, whatever the sun exposure.
- Look in the gutters and at downspout outletsA sudden heap of granules after a storm is a clue. Steady granule loss over years is age.
- Write down the storm dateYour policy’s filing window usually runs from that date.
Most of it is visible from the ground with binoculars. Walking a damaged or wet roof is a fall risk, and it can add scuffs that muddy the picture for the adjuster.
3What to do if you think it’s hail
Do it yourself
- Photograph dented metal and visible spots from the ground
- Note the storm date and check it against the NOAA record
- Check your deductible before calling the insurer
Hire a pro
- Hands-on inspection of the shingle surface
- Chalked test squares with photos
- An honest read on whether it clears your deductible
4What drives the cost
Repairing hail damage can mean a few shingles or a whole slope. The price depends on how many slopes have enough hits to need replacing, whether the shingle can still be matched, and what the roofer finds underneath. Whether insurance pays depends on your deductible.
Hail damage roof repairInsurance claim after hail
Talk to a local roofer who will check the shingle surface and photograph test squares.
877-360-46575Questions
My gutters are dented but the roof looks fine. Is it damaged?
Maybe not. Soft metal dents at hail sizes that may not fracture a shingle. It is a reason to have the roof inspected, not proof of damage.
Why is the damage only on one side?
Hail is directional. The side facing the storm takes the most hits, though some usually land on every slope.
Can old damage be mistaken for new?
Yes. Older bruises weather and darken. That is why the storm date and prompt photos matter.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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