How to tell if your roof has hail damage

Easy ground-level checks anyone can do

Before calling a roofer, you can look for these telltale signs of hail impact around your property:

1. Shingle granules in gutters and downspouts

After a hail storm, check your gutters and where downspouts empty. If you see excessive black, gray, or colored granules (looks like coarse sand), that's a red flag. Hail knocks these protective granules off shingles, which then wash into gutters.

Note: Some granule loss is normal on new roofs (first few weeks) or very old roofs. But a sudden increase after a storm is a strong indicator of hail damage.

2. Dented or dinged gutters and downspouts

Walk around your house and look at aluminum gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards. Hail that's large enough to damage your roof will also leave visible dents in these softer metal surfaces. If you see multiple fresh dings, your roof likely took hits too.

3. Damage to soft metals (vents, flashing, AC unit)

Check your:

• Air conditioner fins: Look for bent or dented metal fins on the outdoor unit
• Roof vents: Metal caps or vent pipes may show fresh dents
• Window sills and mailbox: Chipped paint or dents on horizontal surfaces

These are all easier to inspect than your roof and serve as "witness marks" for hail activity.

4. Shingle debris in your yard

After severe hail, you might find pieces of shingles, shingle corners, or chunks of asphalt in your yard. This happens when hail cracks or tears shingles, and wind blows the fragments off.

What professionals look for on the roof

A qualified roof inspector will safely get on your roof and look for damage that's invisible from the ground:

Bruised or soft spots on shingles

Hail impact often creates "bruises" – areas where the shingle material is compressed but not cracked. These feel soft when you press on them and look like dark spots or discoloration. A professional can identify these by touch and appearance.

Random pattern of granule loss

Unlike normal aging (which causes uniform granule loss), hail damage creates random, scattered patterns where protective granules are knocked off. Inspectors look for these distinct impact marks across the roof surface.

Cracked or fractured shingles

Large hail can crack shingles outright, especially on older or more brittle roofs. These cracks may be hairline-thin or obvious splits. Either way, they're entry points for water.

Exposed or torn mat/fiberglass

Severe hail can tear through the asphalt layer and expose the underlying fiberglass mat. This is obvious damage that requires immediate attention.

Why "it looks fine" can still mean shortened roof life

Here's the tricky part: Hail damage often doesn't cause immediate leaks. Your roof might look okay from the ground and not drip water into your house – yet still have significant damage.

What hail actually does:

• Removes protective granules: Exposes asphalt to UV rays, accelerating aging
• Creates micro-fractures: Lets moisture penetrate the shingle over time
• Compromises seals: Weakens the bond between shingle layers
• Shortens lifespan by 5-10 years: A 20-year roof might only last 10-15 after hail

This is why insurance coverage matters: Even if you're not leaking now, hail damage means you'll need a new roof sooner. Getting it covered by insurance (instead of paying $15,000+ out of pocket in 3-5 years) is a huge financial benefit.

When to call for a professional inspection

You should request a free hail roof inspection if:

• Your area experienced a hail storm with reports of 1-inch or larger hail
• You notice any of the ground-level signs mentioned above
• Neighbors are getting their roofs replaced due to hail claims
• You see roofers working in your neighborhood after a storm
• You're unsure but want peace of mind

Professional inspections are free and typically take 30-60 minutes. There's no obligation, and you'll get a clear answer about whether you have damage worth pursuing with insurance.