How can I tell if hail damaged my roof?
Start with the metal around the house. Dents in gutters, downspouts, vents and fence caps, cracked window screens and granules collecting at the downspouts all mean the hail was strong enough to hurt shingles. Damage on the roof itself, bruises and missing granules, is rarely visible from the ground, so an inspection is what confirms it.
A damaged roof usually does not look damaged
One of the biggest misconceptions about storm damage is that a hit roof should look hit. Hail knocks loose the granules that protect asphalt shingles from sunlight, bruises the mat underneath, and cracks or breaks the seals, and none of that shows from the sidewalk. The roof keeps shedding water for a while and then starts to age quickly.
What you can check without a ladder
Look for dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, flashing, metal fence caps and outdoor AC units. Check window screens for tears and siding for fresh marks. Look for a noticeable pile of granules at the downspout exits right after a storm; some granule loss is normal as a roof ages, but a sudden amount is different.
Inside, look at ceilings for new water stains. If water is already coming in, you may be dealing with an active leak as well as storm damage.
Photograph everything and note the date of the storm. Please do not climb onto the roof.
What an inspection looks for on the roof
On the shingles: dark spots where granules are gone, soft bruises that give under pressure, cracked or split tabs, and lifted shingles with broken seals. On the metal: dents in vents, pipe boots and flashing. On older roofs, hail that a new roof would shrug off can still crack brittle shingles.
Why it matters to find it early
Many Texas homeowner policies expect a storm claim within a set window, often one year from the date of loss. Photos taken soon after the storm make the connection between the storm and the damage much easier to show.
Related questions
Can hail damage a roof without causing a leak?
Yes, and it usually does at first. The leaks come later as the damaged shingles age faster.
Are dented gutters enough to file a claim?
They are a strong sign, but a claim rests on the damage to the roof. Get the roof inspected before you file.
