After a severe Canadian hailstorm passes, the initial sense of relief can quickly be replaced by a nagging worry. While the dents on your car or the shredded leaves in your garden are obvious, the impact on your roof is often subtle, hidden, and far more dangerous. Unaddressed roof damage from hail can compromise your home’s most critical line of defense against the elements, leading to slow leaks, attic mold, structural rot, and incredibly costly future repairs. For any homeowner, knowing how to spot hail damage on roof surfaces is an essential skill for protecting their biggest investment.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key signs of hail damage, explain why a professional hail roof inspection is non-negotiable for both safety and insurance purposes, and outline the exact steps you should take to ensure your home is protected after a storm.
The Telltale Signs of Roof Hail Damage
You don’t need to be a professional roofer to spot the initial clues, but you do need to know where to look and what you’re looking for. Hail damage is often more complex than just obvious holes or missing shingles.
1. Bruising and Granule Loss on Shingles
Asphalt shingles rarely crack on impact unless the hail is very large. More commonly, they get “bruised.” This is the most prevalent form of hail damaged shingles. Look for dark, circular spots where the hail has forcefully knocked off the protective ceramic granules. This exposes the dark asphalt layer underneath, which is now vulnerable to UV ray degradation. These spots may also feel soft or spongy to the touch. This granule loss is the most critical sign, as it drastically accelerates the aging of your roof.
2. Cracking, Chipping, or Missing Shingles
While bruising is common, larger hailstones or shingles that have already been made brittle by age and sun exposure can crack, chip, or shatter on impact. Furthermore, severe storms often include wind and hail damage. High winds can lift the edges of shingles, breaking their sealant. The hail then strikes these lifted edges, causing fractures that are prime entry points for water.
3. A Flood of Granules in Your Gutters and Downspouts
This is a major red flag that homeowners can often spot safely from the ground. Your shingle’s colourful granules do more than just provide colour; they are a vital shield against UV radiation and provide fire resistance. Hail acts like a hammer, dislodging these granules in large quantities. After a storm, check your gutters and the area around your downspout splash pads. If you see a significant accumulation of what looks like coarse, dark sand, it’s a clear sign your roof’s protective layer has been compromised.
4. Obvious Dents on Vents, Flashing, Siding, and Gutters
Sometimes the easiest way to confirm a hail damage inspection is necessary is to look at the “collateral damage.” Soft metal components on your roof, like turbine vents and the flashing around chimneys or skylights, will show very clear dents and dings. Take a walk around your home and inspect your aluminum or vinyl siding, window frames, and gutters. If these surfaces are dented, it’s almost certain your shingles sustained damage as well.
Why a Professional Hail Damage Inspection is Non-Negotiable
While spotting the signs above is a great first step, it doesn’t reveal the full extent of the problem. A professional roofing contractor for hail damage is essential for three key reasons:
- Safety: Walking on a steep, high, and potentially damaged roof is extremely dangerous. Professionals are equipped with the proper safety gear and training to perform a thorough inspection without risk.
- Identifying Hidden Damage: A trained inspector can identify subtle bruising and check for compromised shingle seals that are completely invisible from the ground, ensuring the full scope of the damage is understood.
- Insurance Claim Accuracy: Insurance adjusters require detailed, professional proof. An inspector will use standardized methods (like marking a 10’x10′ test square) to document the density of hail hits. This expert report is the critical evidence needed to validate your claim and differentiate recent storm damage from pre-existing wear and tear, ensuring you receive fair compensation for a full roof repair after a hail storm.
What to Do Immediately After a Hailstorm: A 4-Step Plan
Acting quickly and methodically can save you thousands in secondary damages and streamline your insurance claim.
- Perform an Initial Walk-Around and Document: As soon as it’s safe, walk around your property. Take clear photos of any visible damage to siding, windows, AC units, and gutters. If you can, safely collect a few hailstones and take a picture of them next to a coin or ruler for scale—this is excellent evidence of the storm’s severity.
- Call a Reputable, Local Restoration Company: This is your most important call. A local, certified storm damage repair specialist like First General Eastern Ontario will provide a comprehensive inspection and be your trusted partner through the entire process.
- Mitigate Further Damage: If the storm has created obvious leaks or holes, your restoration contractor can perform emergency roof tarping. This critical step prevents water from pouring into your attic and home, stopping further interior damage while you await repairs.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: With a professional assessment in hand, you can confidently file your claim. An experienced restoration contractor is invaluable here, as they can work directly with your insurance adjuster, speaking their language and ensuring all damage—from the shingles down to the gutters and vents—is accounted for in the claim.
Your Expert in Hail and Storm Damage Repair
Hail damage is a serious threat that requires a swift, professional response. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that “small hail” caused no problems. The cumulative effect of granule loss and micro-fractures can lead to major issues months or even years later.
If you suspect your home has sustained wind and hail damage, contact First General Eastern Ontario for a no-obligation inspection. Our certified team specializes in storm damage to roofs, providing expert assessments, emergency services, and seamless coordination with your insurance provider to restore your home and, most importantly, your peace of mind.
