After the Hail: What to Know, What to Look For, & How to Protect Your Home

If you heard the hail on your roof and felt your stomach drop a little… you’re not alone. Storms like the one that rolled through our area can leave behind damage that isn’t always obvious at first glance. The truth is, hail doesn’t always announce itself with a leak the next day.

So let’s walk through this together… neighbor to neighbor.

⸻

What Hail Can Affect (It’s More Than Just Shingles)

Hail can impact several parts of your home, even if everything looks okay from the street:

    •    Roofing shingles – bruising, granule loss, or cracks that shorten the life of your roof

    •    Gutters & downspouts – dents that affect water flow and drainage

    •    Flashing & vents – bent or loosened metal around chimneys, skylights, and pipes

    •    Skylights & windows – cracked seals or shattered panes

    •    Siding, fascia, and trim – especially aluminum or painted surfaces

Some of this damage is visible. Some of it takes a trained eye.

⸻

What You Can Safely Check Right Now

You don’t need to climb on your roof to be proactive. A quick walk around your home can tell you a lot:

    •    Look for dents in gutters, vent hoods, or metal flashing

    •    Check the ground for excess shingle granules near downspouts

    •    Inspect window screens, outdoor furniture, and vehicles. They’re often early indicators

    •    Inside your home, keep an eye out for new water spots or discoloration over the next few weeks

If something feels “off,” trust that instinct.

⸻

What to Be Weary Of After a Storm

This is the part we care deeply about.

After hail, out-of-town contractors often show up fast and loud offering “free roofs,” pushing immediate insurance claims, or asking you to sign paperwork on the spot.

A few friendly reminders:

    •    You are never required to file an insurance claim

    •    A legitimate inspection should be documented and explained, not rushed

    •    Be cautious of anyone who won’t give you a local address, license info, or references

    •    If it feels high-pressure, it probably is

Your home deserves patience and honesty not panic decisions.

⸻

What a Good Next Step Looks Like

A professional assessment can give you peace of mind, whether there’s damage or not. A proper inspection should:

    •    Be thorough and photo-documented

    •    Explain what’s storm-related vs. normal wear

    •    Help you understand options, not push outcomes

Sometimes hail damage is cosmetic. Sometimes it’s not. The goal is simply clarity.

⸻

From a Local Roofer Who Lives Here Too

Storms pass but your home is a long-term investment. We believe in taking care of neighbors, not chasing storms. If you have questions, concerns, or just want a second set of eyes, that’s what we’re here for.

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just straight answers.

Because around here, it’s never just a roof, it’s your home.