Signs of hail and wind damage on your roof, and what to do first

Safety first

After a storm, stay off the roof. Wet shingles are slippery, damaged areas can give way, and a steep roof is dangerous even in good weather. Look for downed power lines before you walk the yard, and keep children and pets away from broken glass and fallen branches. Everything in this guide can be checked from the ground or from inside the house.

What hail damage looks like

Hail damage on asphalt shingles often shows up as dark spots where the impact knocked the granules loose, or as soft, bruised areas that feel like a bruise on an apple when pressed. You will not see most of that from the ground, so look for the easier clues around the house. Soft metals dent before shingles show much, which makes gutters, downspouts, roof vents and metal flashing good places to check.

• Dents or dings in gutters, downspouts and metal roof vents
• Granules collecting at the ends of downspouts or along the drip line
• Cracked, chipped or split siding, especially on the side that faced the storm
• Torn window screens, dented window wraps or cracked glass
• Dings on outdoor equipment such as air-conditioning units, mailboxes and grills
• Damage to cars or outdoor furniture left out during the storm

What wind damage looks like

Wind tends to work at edges and corners: along the eaves, the rakes at the ends of the roof, and the ridge. Strong gusts can lift a shingle and break the seal that holds it down, leaving a crease across the shingle even if it falls back into place. Those loose shingles are the ones that blow off in the next storm.

• Missing shingles, or shingles lying in the yard
• Shingles that are lifted, creased or flapping along edges and the ridge
• Exposed nail heads or bare roof deck
• Loose or bent flashing around the chimney and vents
• Siding panels that are loose, cracked or missing
• Gutters pulled away from the fascia
• Branches or debris lying on the roof

Check inside the house too

Some damage only shows inside. Look at ceilings, especially in upstairs rooms and closets, for new water stains. If you can get into the attic safely, look for damp insulation, daylight coming through the roof boards, or drips along nails. Water that gets in during a storm may not show up as a stain for days, so check again after the next rain.

The first steps after a storm

1. Write down the date and time of the storm. Local news and weather reports help confirm when it happened.
2. Take photos and video of everything you can see from the ground and inside the house, before anything is cleaned up or moved.
3. Prevent further damage if you can do it safely: put a bucket under a drip, move belongings away from a leak, or cover a broken window. Keep receipts for anything you buy.
4. Do not sign anything with a contractor who knocks on your door before you have had a chance to read your insurance policy and check the company out.
5. Contact your insurance company or agent to ask how your policy handles storm damage and how to start a claim.
6. Schedule a professional inspection so someone qualified can check the roof up close.

Why a professional inspection matters

Hail bruising and broken shingle seals are hard to see without walking the roof, and it takes experience to tell storm damage from ordinary wear. Omega Exteriors offers a free roof inspection that includes looking for storm damage, and provides roof storm damage restoration, siding storm damage restoration, gutter storm damage restoration and window storm damage restoration. Its storm work begins with a detailed inspection to identify the damaged areas before a plan is made.

If you are filing a claim, our guide to working with your insurance after storm damage walks through the process. The storm damage guide puts side by side what Omega Exteriors does for each part of the house. When you are ready, call (651) 998-8500 or request a free estimate.