Complete Guide to Assessing Hail Damage on Your Roof

Hailstorms are a regular occurrence in North Alabama, particularly during our volatile spring and early summer months. When those ice balls start falling from the sky, your roof takes the brunt of the impact. Understanding how to assess hail damage—and what to do about it—can save you thousands of dollars and protect your home from further damage.

At River City Roofing Solutions, we've inspected hundreds of hail-damaged roofs across Decatur, Huntsville, Madison, and Athens. This guide shares our professional knowledge so you can be an informed homeowner.

Understanding Hail and Its Impact

Not all hail is created equal. The damage potential depends on several factors.

Hail size matters significantly. Quarter-sized hail (1 inch) can damage shingles, while golf ball-sized hail (1.75 inches) almost certainly will. Baseball-sized hail (2.75 inches) causes severe damage to roofs, siding, and vehicles.

Wind speed during the storm affects impact force. Hail driven by high winds causes more damage than hail falling straight down.

Shingle age and condition play a role. Older, weathered shingles are more susceptible to damage than newer ones.

Roof slope affects impact angle. Steeper roofs may deflect some impact, while low-slope roofs take direct hits.

How Hail Damages Asphalt Shingles

Hail damages shingles in specific ways that trained inspectors look for.

Granule loss is the most common damage. Impact knocks protective granules off the shingle surface, exposing the asphalt mat to UV damage and accelerating deterioration.

Bruising occurs when the shingle mat is damaged but the granules remain mostly in place. This is harder to spot but just as serious—the underlying structure is compromised.

Cracks and fractures happen with larger hail or direct hits to brittle shingles.

Exposed fiberglass mat is severe damage where the impact penetrates through the granule layer and asphalt to the reinforcing mat.

Dislodged self-seal strips can cause shingles to lift in future wind events.

Conducting a Ground-Level Assessment

After a hailstorm, start your assessment from the ground—never climb onto a potentially damaged roof.

Check your gutters and downspouts for granule accumulation. Some granules are normal, but excessive amounts indicate damage.

Look at your siding, window frames, and AC units for dents or damage. If these items are damaged, your roof likely is too.

Examine any ground-level horizontal surfaces like decks, patio furniture, or car hoods for impact marks.

Check soft metals like mailboxes, garage doors, and aluminum fascia for dents.

Look at your roof from the ground using binoculars if possible. Look for obvious missing shingles, exposed areas, or visible damage.

What Professional Inspectors Look For

When we inspect a hail-damaged roof, we look for patterns and specific damage types.

Random pattern damage is characteristic of hail—the damage appears randomly across the roof rather than in concentrated areas (which might indicate other causes).

Soft spots when walking the roof indicate underlying deck damage from severe impacts.

Damage to roof vents, pipe boots, and flashing—metal components often show dents clearly.

Multiple hits per shingle square suggest significant storm intensity.

Comparison between roof slopes—north-facing slopes often show different damage patterns than south-facing ones depending on storm direction.

Steps to Take After a Hailstorm

Protect your property first. If you notice any interior water intrusion, place buckets and move valuables away from the affected area.

Document everything. Take photos of any visible damage from the ground, including soft metal dents, damaged vehicles, and debris.

Contact your insurance company promptly. Most policies require timely notification of potential claims.

Get a professional inspection. A qualified roofing contractor can assess damage that isn't visible from the ground and provide documentation for your insurance claim.

Don't make permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster has inspected. Temporary repairs to prevent further damage are fine.

Be wary of storm chasers—out-of-town contractors who appear after storms offering quick repairs. Work with established local companies.

The Insurance Claim Process

Understanding the insurance process helps ensure you receive fair compensation.

Your policy likely has a deductible—know this amount before filing.

Most policies cover hail damage as a covered peril, but there may be exclusions for cosmetic damage or age-related limitations.

The insurance adjuster's initial assessment isn't always final. You can request re-inspection if you believe damage was missed.

Your contractor can meet with the adjuster to ensure all damage is documented.

Supplements are common—additional damage discovered during repair that wasn't in the original estimate.

Why Prompt Action Matters

Hail damage often doesn't leak immediately. However, the compromised shingles will deteriorate faster and fail sooner than undamaged shingles.

Insurance policies have time limits for filing claims—typically one to two years, but some are shorter.

Secondary damage from leaks that develop later may not be covered if the original damage wasn't reported promptly.

Exposed areas continue to deteriorate with each rain and every day of sun exposure.

Get a Professional Assessment

After any significant hailstorm in North Alabama, River City Roofing Solutions offers free comprehensive roof inspections. We'll document any damage thoroughly, provide honest assessment of repair versus replacement needs, and help you navigate the insurance process if applicable.

Don't wait until a small leak becomes major water damage. Contact us after the next hailstorm—your roof will thank you.