Hail damage is not always immediately obvious, and if hail has fallen in your area you should request an estimate from a professional after even a mild storm. Most contractors provide free estimates, and it's better to be safe than sorry. Your roof may look fine from the ground, but you can miss telltale signs of damage that don't look too bad right now, but can cause leaks and water damage weeks or months from now.
The majority of hail storms in Upstate SC occur during the Spring and Summer months.
Asphalt and composition shingles have a top layer of colored granules. The granules are used for decorative purposes to add various shades of color, and also to add a layer of protection on top of the asphalt to protect it from the sun. Asphalt that is exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time can soften, dry up and crack, allowing rain to penetrate beneath the shingles.
When hail strikes your roof it often loosens and dislodges these granules, and the rain washes them down the roof into your gutters. If you see piles of granules in your gutters or below your downspsouts, you need to investigate further.
It's often difficult to determine whether or not a shingle roof needs to be replaced after a hail storm because damage is not readily evident.
Hail damage is not always obvious if you don't know what you're looking for, especially when looking up from the ground. Damage to roof vents and gutters is easy to spot by looking for dents and dings. Shingle damage shows up as random light or dark spots (depending on the color of your shingles) across the expanse of the roof where the hail has impacted and knocked loose the protective granules, exposing the asphalt layer below.
If you think your roof has been damaged by a hail storm, use this hail damage checklist as a guide while walking around your house.
If you think you've got wind damage, see our wind damage page for additional information.
An experienced roofer can give you a detailed estimate of the cost to repair your roof, but your insurance may cover additional damage resulting from hail storms.
As soon as possible after a hailstorm, walk around outside with a pad and pen and make notes of storm damage. Log the date and time and make your notes as detailed as possible.
