How to Check Your Roof for Hail Damage: Signs, Checklist, and Next Steps

After a hailstorm rolls through your neighborhood, checking your property for damage should be a priority. But climbing onto your roof is dangerous, and many homeowners are not sure what to look for even if they do get up there. The good news is that you can identify most warning signs of hail damage from the ground, and you can make an informed decision about whether to call in a professional.

Start with HailScore

Before you even walk outside, check whether significant hail actually hit your area. Not every thunderstorm produces roof-damaging hail. Run your address through HailScore to see if radar data recorded hail events near your home. If HailScore shows recent hail activity of one inch or larger at your location, a closer inspection is warranted. If nothing significant shows up, your roof is likely fine.

Ground-Level Signs of Hail Damage

You can spot many indicators of roof damage without leaving the ground. Walk the perimeter of your home and look for these signs:

Gutters and Downspouts

Dents or dings along the length of your gutters

Granule buildup in gutters or at the base of downspouts (these are the small, sand-like particles that coat asphalt shingles)

Splash marks or small impact craters on gutter surfaces

Sagging or loosened sections where hail impact knocked gutters out of alignment

Siding and Exterior Walls

Round dents or cracks on vinyl, aluminum, or wood siding

Chipped paint in circular patterns (distinct from peeling or weathering)

Marks on window frames and trim that show impact patterns

Air Conditioning Units

Dented fins on the top and sides of your outdoor HVAC condenser

Bent fan guards on top of the unit

These are soft metal and show hail damage very clearly, often serving as a reliable indicator of what your roof experienced

Windows and Screens

Cracked or chipped glass (less common with small hail but possible with larger stones)

Torn or punctured window screens with round holes rather than tears

Damaged window sills showing impact marks

Other Property Indicators

Dented car hoods or roofs (if vehicles were parked outside)

Marks on wooden decks, fencing, or mailboxes

Dings on outdoor furniture or metal fixtures

The DIY Roof Inspection Checklist

If you see ground-level damage and want to inspect the roof more closely, here is what to look for. If you are not comfortable on a ladder, skip to the section on calling a professional.

Safety first: Only inspect from a ladder at the edge of the roof. Do not walk on a wet or damaged roof. Always have someone on the ground who knows you are up there.

On Asphalt Shingles

Granule loss appearing as dark spots where the black asphalt mat is exposed. Run your hand across the shingle. If granules come off easily in a circular pattern, that indicates hail impact.

Bruising where the shingle feels soft or spongy when pressed. Hail can crack the fiberglass mat underneath without visibly breaking the surface.

Cracked shingles with star-shaped or circular fracture patterns

Missing shingles that were knocked loose by impact

On Metal Roofing

Round dents that are consistent in size across the surface

Scratched or chipped paint at impact points

Dented ridge caps or flashing

On Flat or Modified Bitumen Roofs

Punctures or tears in the membrane

Exposed underlayment where the top layer was compromised

Pooling water in new locations where impact created low spots

Flashing and Vents

Dented pipe boots (the metal cones around plumbing vents)

Cracked or broken plastic vent covers

Dented chimney caps or flashing

Damaged ridge vent covers

These components are often the most telling because they are softer metals and show impact damage clearly.

What Hail Damage Does NOT Look Like

Knowing what is not hail damage is just as important:

Blistering (bubbles under the shingle surface) is caused by heat and moisture, not hail

Cracking in straight lines along shingle edges is usually thermal splitting from age

Algae stains (dark streaks) are biological growth, not impact damage

Curling shingle edges are a sign of aging, not storm damage

Random granule wear without circular patterns is normal weathering

An adjuster will know the difference, so do not file a claim based on age-related wear.

When to Call a Professional

Call a roofing contractor for a professional inspection if:

You see two or more ground-level indicators listed above

HailScore shows hail of 1 inch or larger at your address recently

Your roof is more than 10 years old (older shingles are more vulnerable)

You are not comfortable getting on a ladder

Neighbors are getting roof replacements after the same storm

Most reputable roofing companies offer free hail damage inspections. They will document the damage with photos and measurements, which you can use to file an insurance claim if warranted.

Choosing the Right Inspector

Look for contractors with local offices rather than storm chasers who appear after every event

Ask for proof of insurance and licensing before anyone gets on your roof

Get written documentation of their findings, not just a verbal assessment

Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to sign a contract before the inspection

What to Do After You Find Damage

Document everything. Photograph all damage from multiple angles with date stamps.

Check your insurance policy. Know your deductible (especially your wind/hail deductible) and whether you have ACV or RCV coverage.

File a claim promptly. Do not wait months. The sooner you file, the stronger your claim.

Get a professional estimate. Have a contractor provide a written repair estimate before the adjuster visits.

Be present for the adjuster's inspection. Your contractor should be there too.

Prevention for Next Season

While you cannot prevent hail, you can reduce your risk:

Impact-resistant shingles (Class 4 rated) can withstand larger hail and may qualify you for an insurance discount

Regular roof maintenance removes the "wear and tear" argument from future claims

Trim overhanging branches that can break and compound hail damage

Document your roof's condition annually with photos so you have a baseline for comparison

The best time to prepare for hail season is before it starts. Check your hail history on HailScore to understand your risk level, then take the steps that make sense for your situation.