How to Identify Hail Damage on Your Roof

When a hailstorm hits, your roof often bears the brunt of it, as it acts as the first line of defense. Spotting the signs of hail damage early can prevent further complications. If you’ve just been hit with a destructive hail storm and you’re concerned about the state of your roof, worry not—we’re here to help you.

In this blog post, we’ll help you identify hail damage on your roof and outline what actions you should take to ensure your home remains safe and sound.

Hailstones come in all shapes and sizes. Some storms bring small, soft hail that hardly makes a dent, while others drop golf ball-sized chunks that can crack shingles, dent gutters, and even mess with your roof’s structure.

While smaller hailstones may seem harmless, they can still harm your roof, especially if there are already areas of wear. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to check your roof after any hailstorm, no matter how mild the impact seems.

Leaving hail damage unaddressed can lead to serious consequences, including:

To keep your roof and home secure, it’s best to hire a professional to perform a post-storm inspection.

Hail can cause significant damage to your roof, even if it’s not immediately visible. Here are some common indicators of damage to watch for after a hailstorm.

After a hailstorm, check your shingles for any spots that look darker. Bruised shingles usually feel a bit soft when you press on them. These spots show where hail has worn down the asphalt granules, which can impact how effectively your roof keeps out water and blocks UV rays.

Asphalt shingles have a dense layer of granules that help protect them from the elements. Hail can knock off these granules, creating bald patches. When shingles lose granules, they become more vulnerable to water damage. To check, look in gutters and downspouts where granules often collect post-storm.

Big hailstones can be a real headache, often causing shingles to crack. Those cracks let water seep into the deeper layers of your roof, which can eventually lead to leaks and rot. When the hail storm passes, take a close look at your roof or check from a safe distance to spot any cracked or split shingles, especially around the edges where hail hits harder.

Hail hitting your roof at high velocity can loosen shingles, causing them to peel up at the edges. When this happens, it becomes easier for the wind to catch and lift them, putting your roof at risk for even more damage during the next storm. Take a careful look around the edges of your roof and at areas that took a heavy hit from the hail.

Metal parts like flashing, vent caps, and skylight frames are usually the easiest spots to check for hail damage. As you inspect your roof, keep an eye out for any dents or bent areas on these metal surfaces, as hail often leaves clear marks here. When flashing gets dented, it can disrupt water flow around chimneys, valleys, and vents, which may eventually lead to leaks.

If climbing up on the roof isn’t an option, you may still be able to spot signs of hail damage from the ground. Check areas like the roofline and edges for any new dips or uneven spots that may have appeared after the storm. Do a full circle around your property to access all visible points of your roof.

Hail often leaves its mark on more than just the roof. Marks on your gutters, siding, and downspouts can be a sign that your roof took a hit, too. If you don’t have the safety equipment to inspect your roof, visually assessing these areas is a good starting point. Look for any dents, cracks, or chipped paint on these exterior parts of your home.

If you spot hail damage, acting fast can save you from bigger headaches later.

Here are the steps to take:

Hailstorms are unavoidable, but being both proactive and reactive can make all the difference. %COMPANY% is here to offer thorough inspections, repairs, and preventative maintenance care.

Call us today at %PHONE1% to schedule your inspection and repair!