Hail can leave behind dark impact marks, missing granules, bruised shingles, cracks, or dents—but some of these signs can also be caused by normal aging, blistering, foot traffic, or other types of roof damage.
When we inspect a roof after a storm, we look at the pattern and location of the damage, the condition of the surrounding roofing material, and whether other exposed areas of the home show signs of hail impact.
If you see dents or impact marks on gutters, downspouts, roof vents, flashing, siding, or outdoor equipment, these can provide additional clues that hail reached the property and help establish a broader pattern of hail impact.
In this article, we’ll explain what hail damage looks like on different roofing materials, how to know if your roof has hail damage, and when it makes sense to have your roof professionally inspected.
How Does Hail Damage a Roof?
When a hailstone strikes the roof, the force of the hit can affect the surface of the roofing material or, in some cases, the material underneath it.
The extent of the damage depends on factors such as the size and hardness of the hail, wind conditions, the type of roofing material, and the age and condition of the roof.
On asphalt shingles, hail can knock protective granules away from the surface and expose the asphalt underneath. A harder impact may bruise the shingle or fracture the reinforcement mat that gives the shingle its strength.
This type of damage may not always be obvious when looking at the roof from the ground.
Other roofing materials can show damage differently. Hail may leave dents or dimples in metal roofing, split wood shingles or shakes, and chip or crack clay and concrete tiles.
Hail damage may also be more noticeable on some parts of the roof than others. Wind can drive hail toward the roof at an angle, causing one slope or more exposed areas of the roof to take more direct impacts.
What Size Hail Can Damage a Roof?
Larger hail generally has a greater potential to cause damage, but the condition and type of roofing material also affect how the roof responds.
Hail around 1 inch in diameter—about the size of a quarter—can damage asphalt shingles, particularly on older or worn roofs.
Larger hail can cause deeper impacts, cracked shingles, broken tiles, and dents in metal roofing.
Smaller hail can also cause damage when strong winds increase impact force or when the roofing material is already brittle or deteriorated.
A softer hailstone may break apart when it hits the roof, while a harder, more solid hailstone of the same size can produce a stronger impact.
During an inspection, we consider the hail size along with the roof’s age and condition, roofing material, impact patterns, and signs of hail on other areas of the property.
What Does Hail Damage Look Like on a Roof?
Hail damage can look different depending on the roofing material, the force of the impact, and the roof’s condition before the storm.
On asphalt shingles, look for:
- Dark impact marks: Hail can knock granules away and expose the darker asphalt underneath.
- Localized granule loss: Granules may be missing or displaced around the point where the hailstone struck.
- Dents or depressions: Some impacts leave a small indentation in the shingle rather than an obvious crack.
- Bruised or soft spots: A shingle can be damaged beneath the surface even when there is little visible damage.
- Cracks or fractures: Stronger impacts can crack the shingle or damage the reinforcement mat underneath.
- Exposed asphalt or mat: More severe impacts may remove enough of the surface material to expose the layers below.
Hail impacts are usually scattered rather than appearing in a straight or predictable pattern.
Hail also leaves different signs on other roofing materials:
- Metal roofing: Dents or dimples in panels and other exposed metal surfaces.
- Wood shingles and shakes: Splits, cracks, or impact marks in the wood.
- Clay or concrete tile: Chips, cracks, fractures, or broken sections.
Also look for fresh dents or impact marks on gutters, downspouts, roof vents, flashing, siding, and outdoor equipment.
How Much Hail Damage Requires a Roof Replacement?
Some hail damage can be repaired, while widespread damage may make replacement a better option.
When we evaluate a hail-damaged roof, we look at:
- Extent of the damage: A few isolated damaged shingles may be repairable, while impacts spread across multiple slopes can require more extensive work.
- Type of damage: Surface granule loss, cracks, punctures, broken tiles, and damage to the underlying roofing material can require different repairs.
- Roof age and condition: Older shingles may be brittle or difficult to repair without damaging the surrounding material.
- Roofing material: Asphalt shingles, metal panels, wood shakes, and tile respond differently to hail and may have different repair options.
- Location of the damage: Damage around ridges, flashing, valleys, vents, and other roof components may affect how repairs are approached.
Dents in a metal roof, for example, do not automatically mean the entire roof needs to be replaced. We also check the panels for cracks, punctures, damaged seams, failed coatings, or other damage that could affect the roof’s performance.
A roof inspection can determine whether the damage is limited enough for repairs or widespread enough that replacement should be considered.
Does Hail Damage Get Worse Over Time?
Hail damage can become more noticeable or lead to other roofing problems over time, especially when the impact has cracked, bruised, or removed protective material from the roof.
On asphalt shingles, hail can knock away granules and expose the asphalt underneath. These exposed areas may deteriorate faster from sunlight and weather. Cracks or fractures caused by stronger impacts can also allow moisture to reach areas beneath the shingle.
Damage to other roofing materials can create similar problems. Cracked tiles, split wood shakes, punctured metal, or damaged flashing may allow water to enter if the affected area is left unrepaired.
If your property experienced significant hail, an inspection can help identify damage before it develops into a more noticeable roofing problem.
What to Do If You Suspect Roof Hail Damage
If your home has been through a hailstorm, you can check for some signs of damage without getting on the roof.
- Walk around your property. Look for fresh dents or impact marks on gutters, downspouts, siding, window screens, outdoor equipment, and other exposed surfaces.
- Check the roof from the ground. Look for visible changes such as dark spots, missing granules, cracked or broken shingles, damaged ridge caps, or broken tiles. Binoculars or your phone’s camera zoom can help you see more clearly.
- Take photos of what you find. Photograph visible roof damage along with dents or impact marks elsewhere on the property. Include wider photos that show where the damage is located as well as closer views.
- Avoid climbing onto the roof. Storm-damaged roofing can be slippery, loose, or unsafe to walk on. Walking on shingles can also create scuffs and dislodge granules that may look like storm damage.
- Have the roof professionally inspected. A roofer can inspect individual roof slopes, ridge caps, shingles, flashing, vents, and other components that cannot be properly evaluated from the ground.
During an inspection, we also compare suspected roof damage with impacts on gutters, vents, flashing, and other exposed surfaces.
We look for patterns consistent with hail and separate them from blistering, normal granule loss, foot traffic, wind damage, and existing roof wear.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Hail Damage?
Homeowners insurance may cover hail-related roof damage, but coverage depends on your policy and the circumstances of the damage.
Your policy may have separate wind and hail deductibles, limits based on the roof’s age or condition, or different coverage for cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect how the roof performs.
If you suspect hail damage, document any visible signs and have a professional inspect the roof. A professional inspection can help determine whether the marks are consistent with hail and identify the extent of the damage.
Review your policy or contact your insurance provider for details about your coverage, deductible, exclusions, and claim requirements.
Suspect Hail Damage? Get Your Roof Inspected
If your home recently went through a hailstorm, you may not be able to tell the full extent of the damage from the ground.
Sureflow Roofing can inspect your roof for signs of hail damage, check areas such as shingles, ridge caps, flashing, and vents, and distinguish storm damage from normal wear or other roofing issues.
If we find damage, we’ll explain what we see and whether the roof may need repairs or further attention.
Contact Sureflow Roofing today to schedule a roof inspection after a hailstorm.
If you’re in Seneca, SC or elsewhere in Upstate South Carolina, call (864) 903-7873 to schedule your inspection.