Small hail hitting the shingles during a heavy thunderstorm.

We all know the sound of when a hail storm has been unleashed. It sounds different from a strong storm. Hail hits your shingles, plinks off vents, and starts to fill the gutters. Hail can even be heavy enough to accumulate in your yard!  

But what does hail really do to your roof and what should you do after a hailstorm? The team at Shanco will walk you through what hail will do to your type of roof material and when to contact a roofing contractor and more.  

Why is Hail Damage Bad for a Roof? 

Hail is supercooled water that freezes inside a storm. As it falls to the ground, it can create severe damage to homes, automobiles, trees, and anything left out in the elements. When hail interacts with your home, there is a variety of damage that may occur. How your roof may be compromised by hail impact depends on the material your roof is made of.  

What Does a Hail-Damaged Roof Look Like? 

Every roofing material is different. Damage can appear in diverse ways depending on the composition of your roofing material. Since no roof is the same, here is what to look for when hail impacts your roof.  

One important thing to note is, hail inspections should be completed by a certified roofing contractor. We recommend finding a trusted local roofer for an inspection. A roofing company like Shanco has decades of experience in identifying hail hits on the roof of your home.  

Asphalt Shingles 

When looking for hail damage on asphalt shingles, you will not notice a pattern. Since the hail falls randomly, any markings will be scattershot.  

  • Hail impact may be black in color 

  • The impact can cause granules to come off your shingles and you will find evidence in the gutters or downspouts 

  • Impacted shingles may feel soft like a bruised apple 

Hail hits can create tears and cracks in your asphalt shingles which weakens your roof and opens the opportunity for a roof leak to form.  

Wood Shingles 

Wood shingles are an entirely different composition from asphalt shingles. Because the material is so different, the damage will not be the same as asphalt shingles or metal roofs. These are surefire signs of hail damage to a wood-shingled roof. 

  • Splits in the wood shingles. These splits may vary in size, but the splits are either brown or orange 

  • Some of these splits may have sharp corners 

  • A split shingle that is evidence of hail damage will not have deterioration at the edges 

  • Indentations found along a shingle split 

Metal Roofs 

Metal roofs are a roofing option and much like any other roofing material, they have one goal: keep your home safe. Since your metal roof is exposed to the elements, it can be on the receiving end of hail storm damage. 

  • Depending on the size of the hail, you may find small dings and dents 

  • Large hail can pierce metal roof panels 

What Sized Hail Will Damage a Roof? 

The problem with hail is that it is so varied. Pea-sized hail to much larger hail may damage your home. The largest hail ever found measured 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 lbs. Hail that size is a rare occurrence and will cause widespread structural damage.  

While extremely large hail is a rare occurrence, what size hail should cause homeowners to pay attention and call a trusted roofer? 

Will Pea-Sized Hail Damage my Home? 

Pea-sized hail is relatively common. If you experience a hailstorm with pea-sized hail, there may not be any roof damage. That said, it can create problems with your roof if there were extremely heavy winds associated with the storm or if your roof has experienced numerous incidents with pea-sized hail. Repeated hail can create weaknesses in your roof.  

As always, after a storm, you should complete a thorough inspection of your home to identify any leaks, fallen branches, and more. At Shanco, all our roof inspections are free, and our team would be happy to come and survey your property to make sure there is no hail damage.  

Can ½ Inch Hail Damage a Roof? 

Half an inch of hail is about the size of a marble. This sized hail can cause roof damage and we would recommend getting a complimentary roof inspection to ensure that your roof checks out all right. Hail this size may not damage the shingles but it can cause damage to the flashing, exhaust boots, and more. 

Golf Ball Sized Hail 

Hail this size is sure to cause roof damage. Contact a roofing expert immediately to diagnose the severity of any roof hail damage. Let your insurance provider know and they will send a claims adjuster out to your property to conduct an inspection as well.  

Does Shanco Deal with Insurance Adjusters on Hail Damage? 

The claims process can be confusing but the team at Shanco is versed in filing a hail damage claim. We can work with homeowners and their insurance agents to discuss our findings and determine the next course of action once they have filed a claim. Curious about what your deductible is for repairs? Be sure to review your insurance policy so you know what you might pay out of pocket. 

Hail Damage Roof Inspection Near Me 

Shanco is the leading roof repair contractor serving the Washington DC metro area, NOVA, and Richmond. We have been inspecting hail-damaged roofs and helping homeowners for over 20 years. If you have experienced hail damage or are simply curious about the condition of your roof, we have you covered. Contact us today to schedule your free roof inspection and we will be happy to provide you with what we find on your roof!