What To Do After A Hail Storm Hits Your Roof

A hail storm just passed through your area. You looked outside, saw some ice on the ground, and now you're wondering — did it actually damage my roof? Here's exactly what to do, in the right order.

Step 1: Don't Get On The Roof

Seriously. Wet shingles after a storm are slippery, hail damage isn't visible from a standing position anyway, and walking on a potentially damaged roof can cause additional damage. Everything you need to assess whether an inspection is warranted can be done from the ground.

Step 2: Check Your Address For NOAA Data

Before you call a contractor, check whether the storm actually produced damaging hail near your address. NOAA radar data tells you the estimated hail size and whether your area was in the path of the storm cell. Shingleprint does this automatically for any US address — free, takes 60 seconds.

If the NOAA data shows hail under 0.75 inches (pea-sized), roof damage is unlikely on a healthy roof. If it shows 1 inch or more (quarter-sized), an inspection is warranted. If it shows 1.5 inches or more (nickel to golf ball), you almost certainly have damage if your roof is more than 5 years old.

Step 3: Check These 4 Things From The Ground

• AC condenser fins: The aluminum fins on your outdoor AC unit dent easily. Multiple small circular dents confirm hail hit your property specifically — not just your neighbourhood
• Gutters and downspouts: Check the top edge of gutters for dents and the bottom of downspouts for granule accumulation — dark grit washing out means shingles were hit
• Window screens: Circular tears or dents on window screens match exactly what happened to your shingles
• Painted wood surfaces: Fresh exposed wood on windowsills, deck railings, or fascia boards shows impact marks

Step 4: Call A Contractor For A Free Inspection

If NOAA data shows significant hail and you see impact evidence on soft metals, call a licensed roofing contractor for a free inspection. Most reputable contractors inspect for free when a potential insurance claim is involved — they get paid if damage is found and a claim is filed.

Ask the contractor to give you a written inspection report with photographs. This document is what your insurance adjuster will need. Without it, your claim is your word against the insurer's.

Step 5: File Your Claim Within The Window

Most homeowners insurance policies require hail damage claims to be filed within 12 months of the storm event — some policies as short as 6 months. Check your specific policy. Once the window closes, no inspector report or contractor quote will reopen it.

Your Shingleprint report includes the NOAA-verified event date and radar data — exactly the documentation an insurer needs to confirm the storm happened when and where you say it did.