Hail damage isn’t always obvious. You may not even realize damage was done until much later when it’s too late. Don’t wait until you’re faced with leaks or costly repairs. If you suspect a recent hail storm has damaged your home, it’s important to reach out to a storm damage restoration specialist in Minneapolis.

With hail season coming up for St. Paul homeowners, make it a priority to be more proactive as you monitor results from severe storms. Here are some tips on how to spot hail damage before it’s too late. The sooner you can address the damage and make the repairs, the sooner you can file a claim with your insurance company. Annual spring inspections are a good way to catch signs of hail damage before they worsen.

Signs of Hail Damage: From the Ground

To the untrained eye, it’s tough to tell if hail damage has occurred. However, there are ways you can inspect your roof safely from the ground before calling a professional. Here are some things to look out for.

1. Dents on Siding or Window Sills

Walk around your property, checking your siding and window sills for signs of hail damage such as dents and dings. Even a slight dent can be cause for concern, so take photos and notes to show your Minneapolis contractor later.

2. Damage to Decks and Porches

Check the wood on your decks and porches to see if you can spot chipped paint or other damage. If hail has damaged these areas, it’s likely that it caused damage to your roof that you can’t see.

3. Damage to Gutters and Downspouts

You can get a good idea of whether or not you have experienced roof damage due to hail by checking the state of your gutters. Because they run along the edge of your roof, large or small dents on gutters and downspouts can provide a clue that your roof was damaged as well.

4. Holes in Window Screens

Often accompanied by high-wind hail storms, holes in your window screens indicate hail damage.

5. Damage to AC Units

Check the state of your outdoor air conditioning units for dents. These large appliances can often take the brunt of a storm, so any damage noticed will indicate probable roof damage as well.

Signs of Hail Damage: From the Roof

Sometimes you just can’t be sure about hail damage unless you get up on the roof. We don’t recommend the average homeowner attempt this. It’s always wise to call a restoration specialist in Minneapolis to handle this job safely and accurately.

Look for dents and other signs of damage on shingles, vents, skylights, and chimneys. Generally, large hail creates easy-to-see dents in roof surfaces while smaller hail results in damage that’s much more challenging to detect. Here’s what to look for:

  • Missing shingles: Hail often loosens the seal of your shingles, which may cause them to blow completely or partially off.
  • Dents in shingles: Large hailstones leave dimples in asphalt shingles.
  • Bruised shingles: Hail leaves indentations in shingles, resulting in a soft or bruised appearance.
  • Dented gutters: Hail can cause dents in gutters and downspouts.
  • Granule loss: Hail often bruises shingle underlayments, which causes the loosening and shedding of the protective granules.
  • Flashing damage: Look for bent, dented, or damaged flashing, plumbing boots, or vents.
  • Shiny asphalt: Hail often causes asphalt to appear shiny.
  • Black or soft divots: Hail may leave black or soft divots on your roof.

Hail Sizes: What Can Cause Damage?

Even the smallest of hail can cause damage to your St. Paul home. However, the size of the hail can and does make a difference in severity of damage.

  • Pea-size or marble-size hail is unlikely to cause any damage.
  • Quarter-size hail or smaller probably won’t cause too much damage to your structures either. At the most, you may notice damage to your plants and other landscaping.
  • Walnut-size hail can damage your roof and other surfaces.
  • Golf ball-size hail causes significant damage to your home, as well as vehicles parked outside.

In addition to size, another factor in the likelihood of damage is wind speed. Severe winds can add to the damage as it propels the hail faster and harder than it would otherwise go.

In the end, you should never assume that damage has not occurred to your home just because the hail appeared small. Any time you have any type of hail storm, you should take the time to walk around the exterior of your home to inspect for signs of damage.

Schedule Your Spring Roof Inspection Today

If you suspect a recent hail storm has damaged your roof or other exteriors, schedule a spring roof inspection with our Minneapolis MN restoration specialists today. We can provide a complete inspection of your property, identify any areas of concern, and make recommendations on how to address them.