When it comes to your home’s roof, hail can cause major damage if you’re not paying attention. It’s important to take the time to inspect your roof for signs of hail damage after storms that have brought hail.

But what exactly should you be looking for?

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to checking for hail damage, this blog post is for you. We will discuss six common signs of a hail damaged roof and how you can protect your home from further damage in the future.

Read on to learn more!

1. Dents or Dings

Dents or dings are formed when hail strikes the roof and in some cases, can cause roof leakage. These dents can vary in size depending on the size and force of the hail stones.

Typically, dents of this nature range from the size of a quarter up to a few inches or larger and can be found anywhere on the roof. In some cases, this can cause the roof to bow inwards or outwards in the region where the hail has impacted.

2. Cracked or Missing Shingles

Cracked or missing shingles are a sure tell-tale sign that part of your roof has sustained hail damage. Hail can be very destructive and result in extensive damage to various parts of a roof. Cracked and missing shingles caused by hail will cause water infiltration and damage to the underlying roof deck and structure. 

3. Granule Loss

Granules are small, pebble-like stones that cover the shingle and protect it from UV rays and other weather elements. Over time, these granules can become loose and fall off, leaving the shingle exposed and vulnerable to further damage. If you notice any bald spots or missing granules on your shingles, it’s important to have your roof inspected by a roofing company as soon as possible.

4. Soft Spots

Soft spots are areas on the roof’s shingles that feels spongy or mushy when touched. This is usually caused by hail impacting the roof at high speed, loosening the underlying material. The force used to damage the shingles also weakens the seal around the nail or staple used to secure them in place. 

5. Leaks

Hail can disrupt the protective layer of a home and leave it vulnerable to water leaking in. If a homeowner notes a leak or two shortly after a hail storm, the hail has likely caused damage to the shingles and possibly the vents of the home. It is important to have hail-damaged roofs inspected and repaired as early as possible to avoid needing major repairs down the line.

6. Dented Gutters or Downspouts

Though hail damage can be found on all parts of the roof, the most noticeable indication of hail damage is found in the gutters or downspouts. If the gutters and downspouts are dented or dinged, they have likely been affected by hail. If the gutters are severely or excessively dented or dinged, likely, other parts of the roof have also been damaged by the hail.

Learn How to Identify a Hail Damaged Roof

Identifying a hail damaged roof is the key to getting it repaired properly. Your roof can double in its lifespan with proper maintenance and offer the needed protection when a storm comes. Make sure to upgrade to the best roofing materials for your house to protect against strong wind and hail. 

Should you wish to read more articles aside from roof repair for hail damage on a roof, visit our blog page.