Hail Damage Roof Checklist 2025: A Complete Homeowner Guide To Survive Storm Season
When hail hits, you do not have time to Google for hours. You need a simple plan that protects your roof, your budget, and your time. This Hail Damage Roof Checklist is a complete, plain English guide for homeowners in the United States. It covers what to do in the first hour, how to document damage for insurance, repair versus replacement decisions, impact-resistant shingles versus metal roof, solar panel checks after hail, costs you can expect, and smart upgrades that reduce future damage. Use this today, save it for the next storm, and share it with a neighbor who needs help.
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TLDR, Your First Five Moves After Hail
Stay safe. Watch for broken glass, downed lines, and slippery decks.
Take photos and short videos. Start with the yard, windows, siding, gutters, AC fins, then the roof from the ground. Add time and date to notes.
Check soft metals. Dents in gutters, downspouts, and roof vent caps are easy proof of hail size.
Call a reputable roofer for a free inspection. Ask for pictures of shingle bruises, metal dings, cracked tiles, and any punctures.
Open a claim if your inspector confirms functional damage. Ask your adjuster for the scope in writing and request a joint inspection with your roofer.
What Counts As Hail Damage On A Roof
Asphalt shingles, especially in architectural styles
Bruising. You will see a dark or soft spot that feels like a bruise on an apple. Granules are displaced, and the fiberglass mat may be exposed.
Cracks or tears. Look along edges and ridges where wind and hail combine.
Granule wash in gutters. A heavy load of granules in the downspout splash area is a warning sign.
Metal roofing, standing seam or exposed fastener
Dents on flat pans. A few cosmetic dents may not affect performance, but deep dents or coating fractures can shorten life.
Fastener and seam issues. Exposed fastener systems can loosen. Standing seam clips and flashing should be checked.
Tile, concrete, or slate
Chips and fractures. Edges often crack first. Broken pieces can slide.
Underlayment exposure. If you can see the layer beneath, water entry is possible.
Flat roofs, TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen
Punctures and scuffs. Hail can bruise or crater the membrane.
HVAC and curb damage. Metal units and skylight frames often show dents and seal failures.
Solar panels on any roof
Glass fractures or microcracks. Most modern panels are hail tested, but baseball-sized stones can still damage glass or frames.
Racking checks. Verify clamp tightness and roof penetrations.
Document panel serial numbers in your photos so any replacement is matched correctly.
Step By Step, The First 24 Hours After Hail
Hour 0 to 1
Walk the interior first. Check ceilings for fresh spots or drips. Put a bucket under any leak.
Shoot a 360 video of each exterior side, then close-up photos of gutters, downspouts, fascia, window screens, and your mailbox or AC fins. Soft metal tells the hail story.
Hours 1 to 3
If you can view the roof safely from the ground with a zoom, capture ridge caps, vents, pipe boots, and skylights. Do not climb a wet roof.
Call a local roofing company with strong reviews and ask for a same-day or next-morning inspection. Request photo documentation.
If the glass is broken, tape plastic from the inside until a pro can board it.
Hours 3 to 24
If the roofer confirms functional damage, call your insurance carrier to open a claim. Log the claim number.
Ask for a joint inspection with your roofer present. This ensures the scope matches real conditions.
If an emergency tarp is needed, request photos before and after. Keep the invoice for reimbursement.
Insurance, How To File Smart And Avoid Delays
Documentation. Batch your best photos into a short album labeled with date and address.
Scope of loss. After the adjuster visit, ask for the written scope that lists roof area, materials, ventilation, flashing, gutters, downspouts, window screens, AC fin combing, and interior repairs if needed.
Supplements. Your roofer may submit changes if code upgrades or hidden damage appear. Keep all communication friendly and written.
Depreciation and recoverable depreciation. Most policies hold back part of the payment until the job is complete. Save every invoice to recover that amount.
Mortgage company endorsement. If your claim check is made out to you and your lender, ask your loan servicer about their process now. This can take time.
Repair Or Replace, Making The Call
Repair only if the damage is minor, the materials match perfectly, and your roof is still early in its life.
Replace if widespread bruising, missing granules, or cracked tiles are present across slopes. A patchwork roof can reduce curb appeal and complicate a future sale.
If replacement is approved, use this moment to upgrade. The incremental cost to move from a standard shingle to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles is often far less than waiting and replacing again later. In many regions, Class 4 may also qualify for an insurance premium discount when properly documented. Ask your agent what proof they require.
Impact-Resistant Shingles Versus a Metal Roof After Hail
Class 4 Impact Resistant Shingles
Why homeowners choose them. Familiar look, color options, lower upfront price, and easier repairs.
What to ask for. Manufacturer’s Class 4 listing, correct nail pattern, high-quality synthetic underlayment, ice and water shield at eaves and valleys, and ridge vent sized to code.
When they shine. Neighborhoods with style rules, quick turn projects, good balance of cost and protection.
Standing Seam Metal Roof
Why homeowners choose it. Long life, strong wind and hail resistance, great for future solar because racking clamps to seams and avoids new holes.
What to ask for. Substrate type, panel gauge, paint system, clip spacing, high temperature underlayment, and detailed flashing plan.
When it shines. Homes you plan to keep for decades, windy or hot regions, owners planning solar panels in the next two years.
For roofing language, homeowner photos, and component explanations, browse All Roof Advantage
https://www.allroofadvantage.com/
Solar Panels And Hail: What Homeowners Should Know
Durability. Many panels are tested for hail at standard sizes, but giant stones can still crack glass. If you see shattered glass, disconnect the array at the shutoff and call a pro.
Insurance. Solar equipment can be included in your dwelling coverage. Share serial numbers and panel count with your adjuster.
Roof timing. If your roof is near the end of its life, replace it before reinstalling panels to avoid paying for a second removal later.
Metal roof advantage. Standing seam allows solar racking to clamp to seams with no roof penetrations, which reduces future leak risks.
Real World Cost Ranges
Prices shift by region, material, and roof shape, but this gives you a ballpark.
Emergency tarp. A few hundred to over one thousand, depending on size.
Shingle repair. A few hundred to a low thousand.
Full shingle replacement with Class 4 upgrade. Mid to high five figures for most homes, depending on size and code items.
Standing seam metal. Higher than shingles, but with longer service life.
Gutters and downspouts. Often replaced together with roofing after hail.
Solar removal and reinstall. Priced per panel. Keep brackets and rails organized to save time.
Ask for a detailed estimate that lists underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and disposal. The cheapest bid that cuts corners on those items often costs more later.
Regional Notes For The United States
Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas. Expect larger hail seasons. Class 4 shingles or standing seam metal are strong picks.
Midwest and Plains. Watch for wind-driven hail. Correct nailing and starter strip matter.
Southeast. Heat and humidity demand proper attic ventilation to protect shingles and prevent mold.
Mountain West. Snow load and ice dam considerations make high temperature underlayment and clean ventilation important.
Coastal. Wind uplift requires precise edge metal and clip spacing for metal, plus strict shingle nailing patterns.
Preventive Upgrades Worth The Money
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles or standing seam metal
High-temperature synthetic underlayment for better heat tolerance
Ice and water shield at eaves, valleys, and penetrations
Balanced attic ventilation with intake at the soffit and exhaust at the ridge
Quality flashing kits for chimneys, walls, and skylights
Gutter protection and correct downspout extensions to move water away
Surge protection for homes with solar and battery in storm regions
These upgrades reduce risk and protect warranties. They also help with energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
Contractor Checklist You Can Use On The Call
Are you licensed and insured in my city and county
Can you show photos of similar local jobs
Will you be present for the adjuster meeting
What is your plan for ventilation, underlayment, and flashing
How will you protect landscaping, pools, and AC units during the tear-off off
Will you provide a daily update and a final photo package
What is your workmanship warranty, and how quickly do you respond to issues
If a company resists direct answers, keep looking. Your roof is not the place for vague promises.
Common Mistakes That Lead To Denials Or Delays
Waiting weeks to document damage
Filing claims without roofing evidence, then arguing with the adjuster
Accepting a tiny repair when a full replacement is warranted
Choosing the lowest bid that skips code items, then paying out of pocket later
Reinstalling solar on an old roof to save time, then paying again soon for removal and reinstall
Avoid these by following the checklist and keeping written records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does hail need to be to damage a roof
Quarter-size stones can bruise shingles, while larger stones can crack tile and dent metal. Wind speed, storm duration, and roof age matter too.
Can I see hail damage from the ground?
Sometimes. Dented gutters, downspouts, and vent caps are clear signals. A trained inspector will confirm roof surface damage with photos.
Will my insurance premium increase if I file a claim
Policies and state rules vary. Ask your agent. Skipping a valid claim can be more expensive if leaks appear later.
How long do I have to file a hail claim?
Many policies require prompt notice. Some states have one year or more. File quickly to avoid disputes.
Do impact-resistant shingles really help
Yes. They are designed to resist cracking from hail impact. They do not make a roof hail-proof, but they reduce damage and can lower lifetime costs.
Is a metal roof louder in the rain?
With solid decking, quality underlayment, and insulation, most homeowners describe the sound as gentle rather than loud.
Can solar panels survive hail?
Most modern panels are tested for hail, but giant stones can still break glass. Inspect closely and file a claim if you see fractures.
Copy and Save, The hail damage roof checklist Checklist
Safety first, check interior ceilings and electrical
Photograph the yard, windows, siding, gutters, and AC fins
Photograph the roof from the ground, capture ridge caps and vents
Call a reputable roofer, request a photo report
Open a claim if functional damage is confirmed, and request a joint inspection
Get the scope in writing, including code items and ventilation
Choose repair or replacement, ask about Class 4 or standing seam upgrades
Coordinate solar removal and reinstall if needed
Keep all invoices to recover depreciation
Schedule final inspection, get a photo package for your records
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Why This Guide Helps You Rank And Get Found
This page targets real search terms homeowners type during storm season, like hail damage roof, hail damage roof checklist, impact-resistant shingles, metal roof hail, hail insurance claim steps, solar panels after hail, and state-specific searches that happen during alerts. The content is comprehensive, practical, and written in human language that Google favors when people stay and read.
Call To Action
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For extra roofing language and homeowner context, see: All Roof Advantage
https://www.allroofadvantage.com/