Does Your Roof Have Hail Damage? The Ultimate Guide

Hailstorms can strike unexpectedly and cause serious damage to your home, particularly your roof. As one of the most exposed areas of your property, your roof bears the brunt of the impact. Understanding how to identify hail damage early is crucial for preventing further issues, such as leaks, water damage, or structural concerns. This guide will walk you through the essentials of hail damage, helping you spot problems and take proactive steps.

[Photo above: While 1" marble sized hail can cause damage, hail can reach sizes of tennis ball or larger. In 2010, a hail storm in South Dakota produced hail of 8" in diameter, the size of grapefruit]

1. How Hail Causes Roof Damage

Hailstones are chunks of ice that form in thunderstorms. These pellets can range in size, from small pea-sized hail (around 0.5 inches) to golf ball-sized or larger (up to 4.5 inches in diameter). The force with which these ice chunks hit your roof can cause dents, cracks, and punctures, potentially leading to leaks or accelerated wear over time.

Key Hailstorm Statistics:

• Average Hailstone Size: In the U.S., the average hailstone measures about 1 inch in diameter, which can cause minor damage to roofs, particularly asphalt shingles.

• Severe Hail: Hailstones larger than 2 inches in diameter are classified as severe and can cause significant damage to a variety of roofing materials.

• Hailstorm Frequency: The U.S. sees around 5,000 hailstorms annually, with states like Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri being particularly prone to frequent and severe storms.

[Photo Below: A hail storm reaching 3" in diameter in Dallas, Texas]

2. Types of Roofs and How They Are Affected by Hail

Different roofing materials respond differently to hail impacts. Here’s a breakdown of common roofing materials and how hail affects them:

Asphalt Shingles

• Signs of Damage: Dents, missing granules, and bruising. Asphalt shingles may also show up with dark spots due to the loss of granules.

• Impact: Hailstones can cause dents that weaken the shingles and reduce their lifespan. Hail impact may expose the underlying felt or fiberglass mat, increasing the risk of leaks.

[Photo Below: Hail damage to asphalt shingles]

Wood Shake/Shingles

• Signs of Damage: Cracked or splintered shakes, with more serious impacts potentially leading to broken sections.

• Impact: While durable, wood roofing is more vulnerable to cracking than asphalt, especially with larger hailstones.

[Photo Below: Exhibit of hail damage to cedar shake. Image credit CeDUR Shake Products]

Metal Roofs

• Signs of Damage: Dents, dimples, or punctures in the metal surface, especially around the edges.

• Impact: Metal roofs are typically more durable, but severe hail can leave lasting marks. Small dents might not compromise the roof’s integrity, but large impacts can cause rust and leaks.

[Photo Below: Hail damage dents to metal roof panels]

Cosmetic vs Functional Damage: After a hailstorm, it’s important to know the difference between functional and cosmetic damage to your metal roof — especially when it comes to insurance claims and long-term performance. Functional damage occurs when hail compromises the roof’s ability to shed water, resist weather, or meet manufacturer specifications. This includes dents to critical areas like the ribs (raised seams) of the metal panels, where structural integrity is key. Damage to these areas can lead to water intrusion, premature corrosion, and even voided warranties.

In contrast, dents to the flat field (the broad, flat surface between ribs) are typically considered cosmetic and don’t immediately affect performance. However, documenting all damage is still important.

Tile Roofs

• Signs of Damage: Cracked tiles, broken edges, and missing pieces.

• Impact: Tile roofs are more resistant to hail damage than asphalt, but they are susceptible to breaking when large, heavy hailstones fall. Cracks can compromise the waterproofing ability of the tiles.

[Photo Below: Hail damage cracks to tile roof. Image credit Code Engineered Systems in Florida]

Flat Roofs

• Signs of Damage: Punctures or cracks in the roofing membrane or membrane separation.

• Impact: Flat roofs with single-ply membranes (like TPO or EPDM) can be prone to punctures from hailstones, leading to water pooling and leaks if not repaired quickly.

[Photo Below: Hail damage to flat roof. Image credit Surecoat Systems in California]

3. How to Inspect for Hail Damage After a Storm

After a hailstorm, it’s important to have your roof inspected for any damage to prevent long-term issues. If you're thinking of going DIY and make the determination yourself, here’s how to go about it:

1. Safety First

Before inspecting your roof, ensure that you are following all safety protocols. Use a ladder with a sturdy base, and wear proper safety gear like gloves and non-slip shoes (such as sneakers— worn sneakers with a flatter sole are best). Disclaimer: If you’re uncomfortable climbing onto your roof, it’s advisable to contact a professional roofing contractor.

2. Look for Obvious Signs of Damage

Start by inspecting your roof from the ground. Look for:

• Missing Granules: Asphalt shingles with missing granules can leave bald patches on the roof.

• Dents and Bruising: Hailstones can leave soft indentations, especially on metal and asphalt roofing.

• Cracked or Broken Shingles/Tiles: Look for cracks or tiles that have been completely broken or displaced.

• Punctures: Look for holes or punctures in roofing materials, particularly on flat roofs.

3. Inspect the Gutters, Downspouts, and Metals

Check your gutters and downspouts for dents, especially higher up where it's unlikely the gutter could have been dented by a rock from landscaping or similar type of incident. Other metals on your roof such as chimney flashing and caps, box vents, valley flashing, or gutter guards are other similar materials which could show the collateral evidence of hail damage.

[Photo credit below: HAAG Certified Inspector with Usa Built, Lewis Reese]

Metals showing evidence of hail damage is important because if it appears there is hail damage on the roof but not on the metals, it brings the question of how hail could have damaged asphalt, but not metal. Dents in the roof metals show strong evidence that any damage created to the roof was indeed hail. Some exceptions to this might be if there are no metals on the roof except for an essentially bullet proof, thick iron chimney cap.

Pro tip: Use a high powered flashlight when inspecting for metals. Hold the flashlight at an acute angle and shine the light across the metals like a laser. This exposes dents that may not be visible otherwise, similar to dents in vehicles which are sometimes invisible under certain types of light conditions.

4. Examine for Leaks

If you notice leaks or water stains in your home after a hailstorm, this could be a sign that your roof has suffered damage. Even small holes can lead to significant moisture infiltration over time, so it’s important to address them as soon as possible. Keep in mind that hail damage will not always lead to immediate leaks, so you may not see any moisture without a thermal camera. Drywall can hold a substantial amount of moisture before it begins to sweat, similar to a sponge.

[Photo below: This thermal camera demonstrates how water moisture can be invisible to the naked eye. In this photo, water had completely saturated a large portion of the ceiling which was not visible or leaking, until water pooled and broke a hole.]

4. How to Assess the Severity of Hail Damage

Once you’ve identified signs of damage, it's important to evaluate the extent of the problem. A few key points to consider:

• Minor Damage: Small dents, granule loss, and superficial cracks may not immediately impact the roof’s functionality but can shorten the lifespan of the roofing materials.

• Moderate Damage: Cracks in shingles or tiles, significant granule loss, and minor punctures might result in leaks if not repaired quickly.

• Severe Damage: Large, deep dents, cracked tiles, and significant punctures often require full roof replacement or repair.

5. When to Call a Professional Roofer

If you suspect hail damage but aren’t sure about the extent of it, it’s always a good idea to have a professional roofer conduct a detailed inspection. They can assess the damage using specialized tools and expertise to determine if you need minor repairs or a complete roof replacement.

Why Hire a Professional?

• Expert Evaluation: Roofing contractors can accurately assess the extent of the damage and provide a detailed estimate.

• Insurance Claims: A professional roofer can help you document the damage for your insurance claim, ensuring that you have the necessary paperwork to get compensation.

6. Preventative Measures for Hail Damage

While you can’t prevent hailstorms, you can take steps to minimize damage:

• Install Hail-Resistant Roofing: Consider upgrading to hail-resistant roofing materials like impact-resistant shingles, metal roofs, or concrete tiles.

• Reinforce Vulnerable Areas: Ensure that your gutters, skylights, and vents are well-secured and durable.

• Maintain Regular Inspections: Routine roof inspections can help catch small issues before they turn into major problems after a hailstorm.

What is NOT Hail Damage: How to Avoid Misdiagnosis

While hail damage is a common concern for homeowners, not all roofing issues are caused by hail. There are several conditions that can mimic hail damage but are unrelated to hailstones, such as thermal cracking, blistering, or granule loss. Understanding the difference is key to making informed decisions about roof repairs and ensuring that homeowners are not unnecessarily burdened with repair costs.

1. Thermal Cracking

• What it is: Thermal cracking occurs when roofing materials, particularly asphalt shingles, expand and contract due to extreme temperature fluctuations. As the roof heats up during the day and cools at night, the materials may crack. These cracks are often thin and can appear similar to those caused by hail impacts.

• Why it’s often misidentified: Thermal cracking is sometimes mistaken for hail damage, especially when cracks align with areas of previous hail strikes. However, these cracks are a result of the material's natural response to temperature changes, not a result of hail impact.

• How to spot the difference: Hail damage tends to leave indentations or bruises with visible granule loss, while thermal cracking shows clean, straight cracks with no signs of impact.

[Photo below: Example of thermal cracking in shingles.]

2. Blistering

• What it is: Blistering is a condition that occurs when air or moisture becomes trapped beneath the surface of a roof, causing it to bubble up. It is typically seen in asphalt shingles or flat roofing systems. This can be caused by poor ventilation, improper installation, or prolonged exposure to heat.

• Why it’s often misidentified: Blisters can look similar to dents or raised areas on shingles, leading some amateurs to mistake them for hail damage. However, unlike hail damage, blisters are not caused by a specific impact and usually do not affect the integrity of the roof’s surface in the same way hail does.

• How to spot the difference: Blisters are usually round or oval in shape and are not associated with visible indentations or granule loss. They may also have a more uniform appearance compared to hail impacts, which are random and irregular.

[Photo below: Example of a roof blister. Image credit International Association of Certified Home Inspectors]

3. Granule Loss

• What it is: Granule loss is a natural process that occurs over time as shingles age. The granules on asphalt shingles serve as a protective layer against UV rays and weathering. As shingles age or suffer from prolonged exposure to the sun, the granules can wear off, leading to bald patches or discoloration.

• Why it’s often misidentified: Granule loss, particularly in older shingles, may appear similar to hail damage, especially when significant areas of granules are missing from the roof surface. However, granule loss is a gradual process, not the result of a single storm event.

• How to spot the difference: Hail damage typically causes immediate and noticeable granule loss in localized areas where the hailstones struck. Granule loss due to aging or weathering will be more evenly distributed across the roof, and there will be no underlying damage or bruising beneath the missing granules.

[Photo below: Image of severe granule loss on both architectural and 3-tab shingles]

The Risk of Misdiagnosis by Amateur Roofers or Inspectors

Unfortunately, some amateur roofers or untrained inspectors may incorrectly categorize non-hail-related damage as hail damage. This could happen for several reasons:

• Lack of experience: Without proper training or experience in identifying different types of roof damage, some inspectors might confuse thermal cracking, blistering, or granule loss with hail impacts.

• Pressure for quick conclusions: Some contractors may rush to a conclusion to secure a job or minimize time spent on an inspection, leading them to mistakenly identify damage as hail-related.

• Inadequate equipment: A thorough inspection often requires more than just visual inspection. Tools like infrared cameras or moisture meters are essential for identifying issues like thermal cracking or hidden blisters, which an amateur roofer may overlook.

Why Transparency is Crucial

At USA Built Contracting Co., we pride ourselves on high transparency and honesty with homeowners. Many of the roofs we inspect do not actually have hail damage, and it's important to us that we provide an accurate, professional assessment. We understand how distressing it can be for homeowners to worry about potential damage, so we take the time to thoroughly inspect your roof and explain exactly what we find.

We do not believe in overinflating the severity of a roof’s condition or recommending unnecessary repairs. If your roof has no hail damage or only minimal wear from weathering, we will clearly explain this to you and help you understand the remaining lifespan of your roof. On the other hand, if your roof does show significant hail damage, we’ll outline the extent of the damage and discuss the best options for repair or replacement.

Our goal is to ensure homeowners have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their property. You can trust us to be open and honest about the condition of your roof and the necessary steps to protect your home.