Roof advice from the Ridgeline crew

Storm damage

How to tell if hail damaged your roof

CRBy Carla Reyes · October 2, 2026 · 4 minute read

Hail damage rarely causes a leak right away. That's what makes it tricky: the shingles lose their protective granules, the mat underneath starts breaking down, and the leak shows up a year later, after the claim deadline may have passed. Here's what you can check yourself, without climbing a ladder.

1. Look at the soft metals first

   Walk around the house and look at gutters, downspouts, window wraps and the fins on your AC unit. Small round dents mean hail big enough to bruise shingles. It's the easiest clue to spot from the ground.

2. Check the downspout outlets

   A pile of dark sand-like granules at the bottom of a downspout after a storm means shingles lost some of their coating.

3. Scan the roof with binoculars

   From the yard or across the street, look for dark round spots, cracked edges or shingles that look shinier than the rest. Don't walk the roof. Bruised shingles and wet surfaces are a bad combination.

4. Look inside, too

   Check the attic with a flashlight for damp spots on the wood, and the ceilings of top-floor rooms for new stains.

5. Write down the date

   Note the date of the storm and take your own photos of anything you find. If you file an insurance claim, the date matters.