Hail Damage Roof Inspection: How to Spot & Document Issues

A ten-minute hailstorm can leave thousands of tiny bruises across a roof—each one a future leak waiting for the next hard rain. Yet from ground level the shingles often look fine. If you’re staring at your house after a Colorado thunderburst wondering what you can’t see, this guide is for you.

You’ll learn how to inspect every layer safely—starting with simple clues on the lawn, advancing to a methodical on-roof check, and wrapping up with photo and note templates that make insurance adjusters’ jobs easier. We’ll also cover when a quick DIY patch is enough, when to call a trusted local roofer, and why acting within days, not weeks, protects both your warranty and your wallet. Let’s get your roof back to parade rest before the next storm rolls in.

Know the Enemy: How Hail Actually Damages a Roof

During any hail damage roof inspection you’re fighting three invisible forces: hailstone size, density, and wind direction. A ¾-inch stone falling straight down may just scuff shingles, while a golf-ball chunk driven sideways by 60 mph gusts can punch through metal flashing.

Different materials absorb that impact in distinct ways:

• Asphalt shingles – circular granule “potholes,” soft bruises you can feel with a thumb, or cracks in the fiberglass mat once the granules wash away.


• Metal panels – shallow dish-shaped dents, spidering paint, and sometimes loosened screws that compromise the lap seams.


• Tile / slate – edge chips, surface punctures, and hairline fractures hidden beneath the over-lapped course.

Insurance adjusters separate functional damage(anything that shortens the roof’s service life or water-shedding ability) from purely cosmetic damage. The catch: cosmetic scuffs today often become functional leaks months later as UV and freeze-thaw cycles widen each bruise.

Keep an eye out for these early warning signs:

• Piles of black or copper-colored granules in gutters


• Dents in ridge vents or chimney caps


• Dark spots that feel spongy under light finger pressure

Hail Myths Debunked

• “Only baseball-size hail matters.” Even 1-inch stones can void a manufacturer warranty if they bruise the shingle mat.


• “No leaks, no problem.” Water intrusion can take an entire season to appear; by then filing a claim may be too late.


• “Metal roofs are immune.” They resist cracks but dents can buckle seams and invite rust.
  
  Cut through the chatter—look for objective evidence before deciding your next move.

Gear Up Safely Before You Climb

More homeowners are injured falling from ladders each year than in any other DIY activity—roughly 500,000 emergency-room visits, according to the CDC. Before your hail damage roof inspection turns into a trip to urgent care, lock in your safety plan.

Suit up with slip-resistant boots, sturdy gloves, and safety glasses. A lightweight long-sleeve shirt protects against sharp granules and summer sun. If you’ll be stepping onto the roof, clip into a roofing harness: one end of a lifeline ties to a ridge-mounted anchor (lag-screwed into framing), the other snaps to the D-ring on your back. It’s cheap insurance against a sudden slide.

Set the ladder at a 4:1 ratio—one foot out for every four feet up—and extend it three feet past the eave so you have a handhold. Only climb after the roof is completely dry and winds are below 15 mph. If conditions are sketchy, stay grounded and use binoculars or a drone instead.

Inspection Toolkit Checklist

• Chalk or grease pencil


• Measuring tape


• Flashlight or headlamp


• 6" plastic circle or a quarter for scale


• Smartphone/camera with time-date stamp


• Notepad or digital notes app

Start From the Ground: Visual Clues at Eye Level

Begin every hail damage roof inspection with a slow lap around the house. You’ll stay on stable footing, eliminate ladder risk, and still gather 70-80 % of the evidence an adjuster wants to see. Move clockwise so your photo sequence matches your notes, and pause every 10–15 feet to look up, down, and outward.

What to examine:

• Gutters & downspouts – fresh dents, separated seams, piles of loose granules at outlets


• Siding, fascia, window trim – pea-sized paint chips or circular spatter marks


• Decks, fences, patio furniture – direct impact points that corroborate roof damage


• HVAC units, grill lids, mailboxes – soft metal dings easy to photograph


• Landscaping – shredded leaves or soil divots indicating hail size and direction

Documentation tips: snap a wide-angle shot first, then two close-ups with a quarter for scale. Label each photo on the spot (“East-elevation gutter dent 1”) so nothing gets mixed up later.

Ground-Level Red Flags That Warrant a Roof Climb

• Shingle fragments or granule drifts on the lawn


• Visible dents in roof vents or drip edge flashing


• Daylight showing where ridge cap meets shingle field

Any one of these signs justifies moving to an on-roof inspection—or calling in a pro if climbing isn’t safe.

On the Roof: Systematic Surface Inspection

Once you’re clipped in, picture the roof divided into three-foot squares. Start at the ridge, move left to right, then step down one course and repeat. This grid keeps you from skipping hidden impact zones.

For each square:

• Asphalt shingles – circular bare spots, dark bruises that feel spongy, creased or lifted tabs.


• Metal panels – shallow “oil-can” dents, pin-size paint cracks, shifted screws or washers.


• Tile/slate/wood – chipped corners, hairline surface fractures, split shakes.

Soft metals tell tales fast. Examine ridge vents, pipe boots, chimney caps, and drip edge; a trail of tiny dings usually matches the hail’s size.

Mark every strike with chalk and a number, then shoot one overview plus a close-up. Repeat every 10 marks to sync photos with notes.

Don’t Forget the Details: Flashing, Skylights & Accessories

Hail loves thin metal and old sealant. Inspect step flashing, valleys, and chimney counter-flashing for dents or popped caulk. Check skylight domes for spidering and press lightly around gaskets for looseness. Scan solar panel frames, satellite dishes, and dryer vents for hidden cracks. Clear any hail piles or leaf debris from valleys so runoff leaves the roof instead of backing under shingles.

Document Everything: Photos, Notes & Hail Data

A picture-heavy paper trail is what turns a casual hail damage roof inspection into claim-winning evidence. Shoot at least two overview shots and two close-ups of every damage type on every slope—about 25–40 photos for an average ranch home. Include a quarter or 6″ circle in the frame so the adjuster can judge impact size.

Log each hit in a notebook or spreadsheet while you work:

• Roof slope (north, south, etc.)


• Material and color


• Damage count and size ( ¾" bruise , ¼" dent )


• Photo file names that correspond to the mark

Before closing the ladder, grab a NOAA storm report, local TV screen-grab, or hail map overlay showing date, time, and stone diameter; attach it to your packet. Consistency beats volume, so use a printed or digital checklist to keep formatting identical.

Common slip-ups to avoid:

• Rubbing chalk so hard it looks like fresh damage


• Forgetting camera time stamps


• Mixing photos from separate storms

Sample Photo Naming Convention

2025-08-07_WestSlope_Shingle_Bruise03.jpg

Decide Your Next Move: DIY Fixes vs Professional Assessment

Your hail damage roof inspection is only half the battle—you now have to judge what repairs you can safely handle and what needs an expert. A loose shingle tab that still has intact granules, or a small gutter dent that doesn’t affect flow, are candidates for a weekend patch with roofing cement or a replacement clip. Anything involving soft spots in the decking, multiple bruises on one slope, or damage near penetrations (vents, chimneys, skylights) deserves a licensed roofer.

Hidden risks lurk out of sight: soaked underlayment, torn ice-and-water shield, or code-required upgrades like drip edge that weren’t visible topside. Bringing in a pro often costs nothing—most reputable contractors in Colorado offer free post-storm inspections—but their trained eye can preserve warranty coverage and prevent missed claim dollars.

Vetting checklist:

• Current license and general liability insurance


• Local physical address (not a P.O. box)


• Manufacturer certifications (GAF, Owens Corning, etc.)


• 4-star+ online reviews with recent dates


• No pressure to sign “today only” contracts

Act within 30–60 days; insurers may question evidence that’s months old, and every freeze-thaw cycle magnifies existing leaks.

Insurance Game Plan: Filing a Strong Hail Claim

All the careful hail damage roof inspection work pays off here. First, review your policy: “ACV” (actual cash value) pays depreciated costs, while “RCV” (replacement cost value) reimburses full repair after you provide paid invoices. Note your wind-hail deductible—it may be a flat dollar amount or a percentage of your dwelling limit.

Most Colorado carriers require you to file within 6–12 months of the storm; a few allow up to two years. Mark the date on your calendar and start assembling your packet:

1. Photo log with time stamps


2. Completed damage checklist


3. NOAA or local hail report


4. Roofer’s inspection summary or estimate

When the adjuster visits, be onsite—or send your contractor—to point out every chalked circle. Ask for the written scope of loss before they leave.

If the first offer seems light, keep all communication in email, cite specific missed items, and request a re-inspection. Still underpaid? You can demand appraisal under the policy, hire an independent public adjuster, or file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance. Persistence and organized evidence usually turn a lowball into a fair settlement.

Keeping Your Roof Storm-Ready Year-Round

A little routine care goes a long way toward dodging the next insurance claim. Twice a year—spring thaw and fall leaf-drop—clean the gutters, reseal exposed nail heads, and peek inside the attic for daylight or damp decking. Touch up flashing and caulk while you’re up there; five minutes with a tube of sealant often prevents a five-figure leak.

When replacement time comes, consider Class 3 or Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. They cost a bit more but can slash premiums and shrug off ping-pong-ball hail. Finally, keep a “roof file”: inspection photos, invoices, and material warranties stored digitally and in print. Up-to-date records make future claims faster and help buyers see you’ve cared for the home.

Protect Your Home, Preserve Your Peace of Mind

A hailstorm doesn’t have to spiral into a money pit. Gear up safely, follow a grid so nothing gets missed, take photos like a claims pro, and call in a vetted roofer before small bruises grow into big leaks. Pair that evidence with policy know-how and you’re negotiating from a position of strength instead of panic.

If you’re anywhere in Northern Colorado or the Greater Denver metro, let our veteran-owned crew handle the climb. We’ll provide a free, no-obligation hail assessment and walk you through the next steps with zero pressure. Book your spot today with Semper Fi Restoration and rest easy before the next cloud builds.