How To Tell if You Have Hail Damage on Your Roof

As the shield for your home, your roof is particularly vulnerable to hail damage. But since you don’t see the top of your roof every day, how can you tell if your roof has been damaged by hail?

No one wants to find out that their roof is hail-damaged, but knowing the signs and what to look for can save you bigger repairs down the road. At Cleanup & Total Restoration (CTR), we strive to provide our clients with the best knowledge and home services, that’s why we offer hail damage inspections, repairs, and restoration. Join us in this blog where we go over what hail does to a roof, what hail damage looks like on a roof, and other frequently asked hail damage questions. 

What Does Hail Damage Do to a Roof?

Hail often leads to cosmetic and functional issues to your roof and the damages vary based on factors like hail size, wind speed, roof material, and slope. Hail often leads to cosmetic and functional issues to your roof. Signs of such damage might include cracked or broken windows, damaged siding, or dented gutters. If damages aren’t dealt with in a timely manner, they could progress into more serious and expensive issues. 

What Does Hail Roof Damage Look Like?

Wondering if your roof has been impacted by hail? Look out for these telltale signs:

• Black Colored Dots on Your Shingles or Roof: Hail can leave behind dark spots on your shingles or roof, indicating areas of impact.
• Loss of Granules in Your Shingles: Hail damage often results in the loss of granules from the surface of your shingles, exposing the roof’s underlayment.
• Bruised or Discolored Shingles: Shingles may appear bruised or discolored after being struck by hail, indicating the force of impact.
• Impact Marks or Dents in Roof or Shingles: Visible indentations or marks on your roof or shingles are clear signs of hail damage.
• Tears at the End of Shingles: Hail can cause tears or breaks at the edges of shingles, compromising their integrity.
• Splits in the Shingles: Hail impact can result in splits or cracks in the shingles, which can lead to roof leaks and drafts.

Spotting these signs early can help you better address hail damage on your roof and protect your home from further damage. 

What Size Hail Will Damage a Roof?

When a storm unleashes hail larger than one inch in diameter, the resulting damage to your roof is usually quite evident. If this hail is accompanied by strong winds, the damage can be even more severe. However, even smaller hailstones can cause hidden damage to your roof. Therefore, it’s imperative to have a professional storm damage repair team inspect your roof following any hailstorm, regardless of the size of the hail.

Hail Size: ¾” – 1” 

Depending on wind speeds, hail between ¾” – 1” can damage vinyl siding, window screens, and metal fascia, and can also dislodge granules from asphalt shingles or damage gutters and downspouts. 

Hail size: 1¼” – 1½” 

Even with a ¼” difference, hail this size can cause significantly more damage to your property and will most likely leave visible dents.

Hail Size: 1¾ – 2” 

Hail this size can break through softer parts of your roof and cause the siding on your home to tear off, crack windows, and damage metal structures.

Hail Size: 2”+ 

Hail that is 2 inches or bigger will most definitely leave severe damage to your home and anything in its path. 

Does Roof Damage From Hail Need To Be Repaired?

Yes, if you’ve spotted hail damage on your roof, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Delaying repairs could result in more severe issues with your roof such as leaks, deterioration, and other structural problems. Reach out to Cleanup & Total Restoration today for expert assistance in repairing your roof and safeguarding your home from further damage.

Hail Damage FAQ’s

Does Insurance Cover Hail Roof Damage?

Yes—In most cases, your homeowner’s insurance will cover hail roof damage. At CTR, we can work with your insurance company and provide them with the correct documentation to cover the costs of repair or replacements. 

Can Hail Damage Solar Panels?

Yes—However, this doesn’t happen often because solar panels are manufactured with specialized glass to prevent damage from hail impact. 

Can Hail Damage Metal Roofs? 

This might be surprising, but yes—metal roofs can also sustain damage from hail but not compared to regular shingle roofing. A metal roof can protect against hail the size of golf balls whereas a shingle roof would crack, break, and fall apart. We recommend a metal roof for people who live in areas where there are frequent and severe hail storms. 

Choose CTR To Restore Your Hail-Damaged Roof

If you live in Southwest Idaho and just went through a flood, get professional cleanup services with Cleanup & Total Restoration. Whether it’s a single room or an entire home or business, our team of experts delivers the best flood water removal services around. 

• 60-Minute Response Time
• 100% Financing Available 
• Free No-Obligation Estimate
• Licensed and Experienced Technicians
• 24-Hour Emergency Services
• Insurance Claims Assistance

If you need emergency services, call our 24/7 emergency response hotline at (208) 268-6293.