What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail damage on asphalt shingles looks like random dark bruises where granules have been knocked away, exposing the black mat underneath. The marks are soft to the touch, scattered rather than in lines, and usually appear alongside dents on gutters, downspouts, vents and any metal flashing.
Want to know what your own roof looks like? Send a few photos from the ground and get a plain-English answer.
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What to look for from the ground
You can spot most of the evidence without leaving the lawn.
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, and the metal chimney cap — the easiest hail evidence to see and photograph
- Dark, circular bruises scattered across the shingle field, with no pattern
- Heavy granule build-up at the bottom of downspouts
- Dings on air conditioner fins, mailboxes, garage doors and window screens — collateral proof the storm was hard enough
What is not hail damage
Straight lines of wear, uniform granule loss across a whole slope, black algae streaking down north-facing sides, and curling edges are all age, not impact. An honest assessment separates the two, because insurers will.
Why it matters in southeast Wisconsin
The Milwaukee metro sees hail most summers, and storms crossing Waukesha and Washington counties often reach the suburbs at full strength. Damage that looks cosmetic today can shorten a roof's life by years, and insurance claims generally have time limits — usually one to two years from the date of the storm.
Check your own roof for free
Photograph each side of your house plus any dented metal, and PointView's free roof check will tell you what is actually visible in your photos. It will not invent damage: if the photos don't show hail impact, the report says so.
Related questions
- How big does hail have to be to damage shingles?
- Roughly one inch, about the size of a quarter, is the usual threshold for asphalt shingles — though older, brittle shingles can be damaged by smaller stones.
- Should I get on the roof to look?
- No. Walking a roof is dangerous and can itself damage shingles. Everything you need for a first look can be photographed from the ground.