Key takeaways
– Hail damage rarely looks dramatic from the driveway. Bruised shingles and lost granules can take months to show up as a leak.
– Dented gutters, downspouts, vents and even your mailbox are clues that your roof took hits too.
– A pre-claim roof inspection gives you an honest answer about whether the damage justifies an insurance claim.
Kentucky weather keeps us on our toes. One spring afternoon can bring straight-line winds, a downpour and a burst of hail in fifteen minutes, then sunshine like nothing happened. When the storm clears, most of us check the car and the garden. The roof is easy to forget, because the signs of hail damage on a roof almost never look like much from the ground.
At SmartHome Roofing, we’ve walked a lot of roofs across Barren County and south-central Kentucky after storms like that. Here’s what we look for, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s time to call your neighbors for a closer look.
Why Hail Damage Hides in Plain Sight
Hailstones don’t usually punch holes in a roof. Instead, they knock loose the protective granules on your asphalt shingles, or crack the fiberglass mat underneath. Those granules are your roof’s UV shield. Once they’re gone, the exposed spot breaks down faster under Kentucky’s sun and extreme temperature swings.
That’s why hail damage is a slow problem. A roof that looks fine in April can be letting water in by next winter. By the time a “coffee-colored” stain shows up on your ceiling, the storm that caused it may be long forgotten.
What You Can Check from the Ground
Safety first: please don’t climb on your roof after a storm. Wet, damaged shingles are slippery, and a compromised structure can be dangerous. Everything below can be done with your feet on the ground.
Walk your property and look for:
- Dented “soft metals”: gutters, downspouts, roof vents and chimney caps dent easily. Fresh dents are strong evidence of hail impact.
- Shingle grit at the downspouts: if you find a pile of what looks like coarse black sand at the bottom of a downspout, your shingles are shedding granules.
- Collateral damage: look at window screens, your mailbox, outdoor AC units, and your car for dings or tears.
- Shingles or pieces on the ground: wind usually travels with hail, and loose shingles are a sign the roof’s seal has been broken.
Take dated photos of everything you find. Photos taken soon after a storm make useful documentation, so don’t put it off.
Signs of Hail Damage on a Roof: What a Professional Inspector Looks For
During a storm inspection, our team follows a measured checklist rather than a quick glance. Here are a few of the red flags we document:
- Granule Loss: dark spots where the protective granules were knocked off, exposing the asphalt mat.
- Bruised Shingles: soft spots where the fiberglass mat has broken beneath the surface. These fail early even if they look okay at first.
- Creased or Lifted Shingles: wind can break the adhesive seal and crease a shingle, which permanently destroys its ability to shed water.
- Damaged Ridge Caps: the peak of your roof takes direct hits and is often the first area to fail.
- Flashing & Pipe Boots: dents or cracks around chimneys, valleys and plumbing vents are common entry points for water.
An experienced inspector also has to tell hail damage apart from normal aging, blistering or manufacturing defects, because insurance adjusters will. That’s where training matters. Our team includes HAAG Certified Inspectors, and every inspection comes with digital photo evidence and a typewritten summary of what we found.
Hail on Metal Roofs
Metal roofing is built to handle severe weather, and some metal products carry an impact rating, so ask about the rating of any product you’re considering. Very large hail can still leave dents. Whether those dents are cosmetic or affect the panels and seams is something to have checked after a major storm.
What to Do Right After the Storm
- Stay safe. Keep clear of downed power lines and damaged trees.
- Check inside. Look at your ceilings and, if it’s safe, your attic for signs of water. If you find an active leak, put down a bucket and move valuables.
- Document the scene. Photograph dented gutters, downspouts, your mailbox, vehicles and any shingles on the ground.
- Write down the storm date and time.
- Call for a pre-claim roof inspection before you file. We’ll give you an honest assessment of whether the damage justifies a full insurance claim. If it doesn’t, we’ll tell you that too. Learn more about hail damage roof repair in Glasgow, Bardstown and Somerset.
Need a hail damage roof inspection in Glasgow? Schedule a roof inspection with your nearest SmartHome team
Should You File an Insurance Claim?
It depends on how much damage there is and on your policy, and every policy is different. Check your deductible and any deadlines for reporting storm damage, and talk to your insurance agent if you’re unsure.
If the damage does justify a claim, you don’t have to navigate it alone, and we can’t speak for your insurer or promise an outcome. Our insurance claim process walks you through six steps: an inspection, filing assistance, an on-site adjuster meeting, supplement handling, scheduling, and a quality installation.
A Word About Storm Chasers
After a big hailstorm, out-of-town crews often go door to door promising a quick fix. Before you sign anything, ask for a local office address, proof of insurance and local references. As a locally owned Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we live and work here, and we’ll still be here long after the storm has passed.
Also beware of calls that use our name. SmartHome doesn’t make unsolicited robocalls or random out-of-state sales calls. If you’re ever unsure, see our fraud alert page for how to reach our verified office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a hailstorm should I have my roof inspected?
As soon as you reasonably can. Sooner makes it easier to document what happened, and your policy may set a deadline for reporting storm damage, so check it or ask your agent.
Can my roof have hail damage without leaking?
Yes. Most hail damage doesn’t leak right away. Bruised shingles lose granules and break down over time, so leaks often appear months later.
What does a hail damage roof inspection include?
We look at the shingles, ridge caps, vents, flashing and gutters, then document what we find with digital photos and a written summary of conditions.
Do you inspect commercial roofs after storms?
Yes. We inspect residential, multi-family and commercial properties, including flat and low-slope roofs.
Schedule a Roof Inspection in Glasgow
If a recent storm has you wondering about your roof, our Glasgow roofing team is ready to take a look. We serve Barren County and the surrounding counties, including Warren, Hart, Metcalfe, Monroe, Allen and Adair. Schedule a roof inspection with your nearest SmartHome team, or see hail damage roof repair in Glasgow, Bardstown and Somerset.
Closer to Bardstown or Somerset? Our Bardstown roofing team and Somerset team are happy to help too.
If It’s Already Leaking
Don’t wait on a roof that’s letting water in. Contact your nearest SmartHome office for emergency roof repair; we’ll prioritize active leaks and work to tarp and secure the damage where it’s safe and practical, and then help guide you through the claim process. Emergency repair is available weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM; if water starts coming in outside those hours, protect your belongings and reach out when we open.
Worried About Cost?
Where insurance applies, and with our financing options available, there may be ways to spread out the cost of a new roof. Ask about financing during your inspection.
