How to Spot a Roof Damaged by Hail

As a seasoned professional roofer with extensive experience, I can tell you that hail is one of nature's most formidable adversaries for your roof. Recognizing the signs of hail damage is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your roof and preventing long-term damage to your home. Here's a detailed guide on identifying and understanding the impact of hail damage.

The Long-term Impact of Hail Damage

Hail can cause significant damage to your roof, and even seemingly minor damage can lead to major issues. For instance, a small leak can result in extensive problems, including mold growth, wood rot, and damaged drywall inside your home. Furthermore, what might appear merely cosmetic, such as the loss of granules on shingles, can expose the roof felt underneath, leading to more severe deterioration.

What Does Hail Damage Look Like?

Visual Indicators:

Random Damage: Look for damage with no discernible pattern.
Hail Hits: These might appear black and are often soft to the touch, similar to a bruise on an apple.
Granule Loss: Significant granule loss can expose the roof felt, making the asphalt and mat look shiny.

![Picture of hail damage on roofs with a red arrow pointing to the damage]

Different Shingles, Different Signs:

Asphalt and Composition Shingles: These shingles might show random patterns of black-colored hail hits, loss of granules, and shiny areas.
Wood Shingles: Damage to wood shingles can appear very different from damage to asphalt shingles. Look for sharp splits in the shingles that can have a brown or orange residue from the wood itself.

Common Misidentifications

Many types of shingle damage can be mistaken for hail impact. For example:

Normal Wear and Tear: Exposure to harsh weather and sunlight can make shingles brittle and aged. Symptoms like blistering, cracking, granule loss, flaking, and algae are often just regular wear.
Manufacturing Defects and Mechanical Imperfections: These issues can also be mistaken for hail damage but are due to flaws in the shingle.

Professional Inspection

If you notice any of these signs or are unsure, it's wise to call a professional. A professional roofer can thoroughly inspect and differentiate between hail damage and other types of roof wear. This distinction is crucial for proper maintenance and repair strategies.