Every time a hailstorm rolls through Davis or Weber County, the phone starts ringing. The first question is always the same: was the hail big enough to actually damage my roof?
It is a fair question. Not all hail causes damage. But the threshold is lower than most people think.
The general rule on hail size
Hail around one inch in diameter, roughly the size of a quarter, is generally where damage to asphalt shingles starts. At that size, hailstones carry enough force to bruise the shingle, knocking granules loose and creating weak spots in the surface. Those weak spots may not leak right away, but they deteriorate faster than the surrounding material and can cause problems down the road.
Once you get up to golf ball size, about an inch and three quarters, you are looking at more serious damage. Cracked shingles, dented flashing, damaged vents and pipe boots. At baseball size and above, you can see structural damage to decking and even the framing underneath.
Why smaller hail still matters
Here is what catches people off guard. Half-inch hail, about marble size, usually will not crack or visibly damage a newer roof. But on a roof that is already 15 or 20 years old with worn granules and brittle shingles, that same half-inch hail can cause real problems. The age and condition of your roof makes a big difference in how it handles any hailstorm.
This is one of the reasons annual inspections matter. A roof in good condition handles moderate hail much better than one that is already compromised.
What hail damage looks like
The tricky thing about hail damage is that it is not always visible from the ground. You are not going to look up and see obvious holes. What you are looking for takes a trained eye and usually requires getting up on the roof.
On shingles: hail bruises show up as dark spots where the granules have been knocked loose, exposing the asphalt underneath. Run your hand across the shingle and you can feel the soft, dented areas. They sometimes look like small dimples or circular marks.
On metal: check your gutters, downspouts, flashing, and metal vents. Dents in metal are easier to spot than shingle damage and can help confirm that your area took significant hail.
On the ground: look for granule buildup in your gutters and at the bottom of your downspouts. Some granule loss is normal over time, but a sudden increase after a storm indicates impact damage.
Collateral damage: check your window screens, outdoor furniture, car surfaces, and air conditioning units. Dents and dings on these items confirm that hail was hitting your property with real force.
What to do if you think you have hail damage
Do not get on the roof yourself. Walk around the property and document what you see from the ground. Take photos of any dented gutters, damaged screens, or granules in the downspouts. Then call a roofer you trust for a professional storm damage inspection.
If the roofer finds damage, they can help you understand whether it is worth filing an insurance claim. Not every bit of hail damage justifies a claim, but significant widespread damage usually does.
A note on filing timing
You usually have up to a year from the date of the storm to file. Do not let anyone pressure you into rushing. Take the time to get a thorough inspection and understand what your policy covers before you start the claim process.
Think your roof might have hail damage? We will come out and give you an honest assessment. If there is damage, we will walk you through your options. If there is not, we will tell you that too. Free inspection, no pressure. Contact us anytime.
"Bob Harvey's estimate and service were right on from the start. He showed up when he said, completed work on time, and excellent quality. It was done right before last huge windstorm and not even one shingle lifted or blew away. Highly recommend him and his crew."Douglas Hunt , Google Review