Hail Damage on Your Roof: A Duluth Homeowner’s Guide to Inspections and Insurance Claims

Summer storms in the Northland can turn from rain to hail in minutes. When the storm passes, most roofs look the same as before from the driveway. But hail can bruise shingles, crack the mat underneath and knock loose the granules that protect the asphalt from the sun. That damage may not leak right away. It often shows up a year or two later as early aging, curling or a leak in the spring melt.

This guide walks through how to check for hail damage safely, what a professional inspection covers, and how the insurance process usually works, so you can make good decisions after the next storm.

What hail does to a roof

Asphalt shingles are layers of fiberglass mat, asphalt and mineral granules. A hailstone hitting the shingle can crush the granules into the asphalt, crack the mat, or break the seal strip that holds the shingle down. The result looks like a dark, soft spot where the granules are missing. On older shingles, the hail can crack the shingle outright.

Hail about one inch across or larger often damages asphalt shingles, but smaller hail can damage older or brittle roofs. Wind matters too. Hail driven sideways by strong gusts hits one side of the roof harder, so damage is often worse on the slopes facing the storm.

Check from the ground first

Do not climb on the roof after a storm. Wet shingles are slippery, and damaged areas can be weak. You can learn a lot from the ground:

• Look for dents on gutters, downspouts, roof vents and metal flashing
• Check window screens, siding, deck railings and outdoor furniture for dents or splits
• Look in the gutters and at the bottom of downspouts for piles of granules
• Look for shingles that are torn, creased, lifted or missing
• Check for broken skylights or cracked plastic vent caps

Take dated photos of anything you find. If your car, your neighbor’s roof or the siding on the same side of the house shows damage, the roof probably took hits too.

What a professional inspection covers

A roof inspection after a storm should include a walk of every roof slope, not just a look from a ladder. On our inspections we mark hits in test squares on each slope, photograph the damage close up and from a distance, and check the vents, flashing, gutters and skylights. We also look in the attic for any new stains or wet insulation.

You get a written report with photos showing what we found and where. If the damage is limited, we explain the repair. If it is spread across the roof, we explain why a repair may not hold up and what a replacement would involve. Either way, the report gives you a clear record to share with your insurance company.

How a hail damage claim usually works

Every policy is different, so read yours or call your agent. In general, the process looks like this:

1. Document the storm and the damage. Note the date of the storm and save photos of any damage you see from the ground.
2. Get an inspection. A written report with photos helps you decide whether to file a claim at all.
3. File the claim. Many policies have time limits for storm claims, so do not wait too long. Your insurer will send an adjuster.
4. Meet the adjuster. The adjuster inspects the roof and decides what the policy covers. You can ask your roofer to be there to point out damage.
5. Review the estimate. Compare the insurer’s scope with your roofer’s findings. If something is missing, ask questions before you sign off.
6. Schedule the work. Once the scope is agreed, book the repair or replacement. Keep all paperwork for your records.

Your insurer decides what is covered, not the roofer. A good roofer gives you accurate information and documentation, and does not promise a free roof.

Watch out for storm chasers

After a big hail storm, out-of-town crews often go door to door offering free inspections and quick roofs. Some do fine work, but others leave when the season ends, and warranty problems are hard to solve when the company is gone. Before you sign anything:

• Check that the roofer holds a Minnesota residential roofer license and has insurance
• Ask for a local address and look for reviews from local customers
• Get a written report and a written quote before you agree to work
• Be wary of anyone who pushes you to sign a contract on the spot
• Never pay the full price up front

Repair or replace?

If hail damaged only a few shingles on one slope, a repair with matching shingles is often enough. If hits are spread across the roof, or the roof was already near the end of its life, a replacement is usually the better value. When we quote a replacement after hail, we often suggest impact-resistant shingles. They cost more, but they stand up better to the next storm, and some insurers offer a discount for them.

Our storm damage repair service covers both, from a few shingles to a full new roof, with the same photo report and written quote.

After the storm: a short checklist

• Stay off the roof and take photos from the ground
• Note the date and time of the storm
• Check gutters, vents, siding and screens for dents
• Book an inspection and get a written report
• Read your policy and file within the time limit if you have damage

Hail is part of life in the Northland, but finding damage early protects your home and makes the insurance process smoother. Questions after a storm? Contact Duluth Roof, your roofers in Duluth, MN, and we will help you find out what the storm did to your roof.