Hail Damage on Roof: What Does It Look Like?

Hail damage roof in Wisconsin

Hail can dent cars and trucks, shatter windshields, and dent outdoor furniture and HVAC equipment. But did you know you can also have extensive hail damage on your roof? Just how much damage varies depending on things like size, density, wind direction and speed, and roofing materials. Hail damage to a roof can be difficult to spot with an untrained eye.

The experienced team at First Quality Roofing has years of experience and expertise in helping Wisconsin homeowners identify and repair a hail-damaged roof. We’ll inspect your roof and guide you on whether it needs a few repairs or a total replacement. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures your roof is in capable hands!

How Hail Size and Roof Material Influence Damage 

Some factors that affect the type and degree of damage a hailstorm can do to your roof are:

• Size and density. Hail can be as small as a pebble or as large as a rock. The larger the piece, the more severe the damage it can cause, easily denting and cracking roof shingles.
• Roofing material. Metal roofs tend to withstand hail better, suffering cosmetic dents. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, can crack or lose granules, compromising their integrity.
• Roof age. The roof’s condition before the hailstorm strikes significantly affects how much damage it incurs. Older roofs or ones with pre-existing damage are most susceptible to further harm.
• Wind direction and speed. In storms with high winds, hailstones can hit the roof at sharper angles, causing damage over a broader area. Higher wind speeds can also increase hail’s velocity, making the impact more forceful. And depending on the wind’s direction, certain parts of the roof could bear the hailstorm’s brunt.
• Existing barriers. Nearby structures like fences and natural barriers like trees can reduce how much damage hail can do. Adjacent homes and other structures can also prevent hail from inflicting extensive harm.

Ground-Level Diagnosis: Identifying a Hail-Damaged Roof Without Scaling Heights

How roof shingles react to hail depends on their material:

• Asphalt and composite shingles typically have random damage with no fixed pattern. The “hits” tend to be black in color and you might notice granule loss that exposes the roof’s felt.
• Wood shingles also have random damage, but the splits that occur are a brown-orange color and have sharp corners and edges.

If you suspect hail damage on your roof, we recommend not putting yourself in danger by going up onto the roof. Instead, look for dents or circular patterns in metal components like gutters and downspouts. Check for dislodged granules which often accumulate in gutters and downspout exits. Binoculars can be handy for closer scrutiny. Then, call in a professional roofing contractor to do a comprehensive inspection.

Is Hail Damage Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

Most homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage, but details and specifics like deductibles vary from insurer to insurer. For instance, some policies only cover a roof’s depreciated value, not the cost of replacement. Contact your insurance agent if you’re unsure if your roof’s covered.

First Quality Roofing specializes in quality roofing services, including new roof installations, reroofs, roofing repairs, comprehensive maintenance, and thorough inspections. We know you work hard to keep a roof over your head, so we work hard to ensure it keeps your family safe for decades to come!

Contact us online or call 715.350.2162 to learn more or schedule a roof inspection.