Hail damage to roof and siding: what to look for

Why hail damage is easy to miss

A roof hit by hail usually does not leak the next day. The damage is to the surface. Asphalt shingles are protected from sunlight by a layer of mineral granules. Hail knocks granules off and can bruise or crack the mat beneath. The exposed asphalt then breaks down faster in the sun, and the shingle fails years early. From the ground the roof looks the same.

That delay is the reason to inspect promptly. Insurance claims have reporting requirements, and damage found years later is hard to tie to a particular storm.

Start with the easy evidence

You can learn a lot without leaving the ground.

• Eavestroughs and downspouts. Dents and dings in aluminium show the size of the hail and the direction it came from.
• Granules. Piles of coarse, sand-like granules at the bottom of downspouts or in the eavestroughs after the storm.
• Roof vents, flashing and chimney caps. Soft metal dents clearly.
• Air conditioner. The fins on the outdoor unit are flattened on the side facing the storm.
• Window screens, torn or dimpled.
• Painted wood, such as decks and fences, with chips or fresh marks.
• Vehicles left outside.
• Garden plants shredded.

If these show clear hail marks, the roof took the same beating.

What hail does to roofing

Asphalt shingles

• Round or irregular dark spots where granules are missing
• Bruises: soft spots that give under the thumb, like a bruise on an apple
• Cracks radiating from an impact point
• Exposed black asphalt or, in bad cases, the fibreglass mat

The pattern is random, with no line to it. That distinguishes hail from other things. Blistering, which comes from manufacturing or heat, leaves small pits with sharp edges. Foot traffic leaves scuffs in walked paths. Ordinary ageing loses granules evenly.

Metal roofing. Dents. They are often cosmetic, but paint finishes can be chipped and seams affected.

Wood shakes. Fresh splits with sharp edges and bright wood, and impact marks.

Skylights. Cracked glazing or dented frames.

Leave the close inspection to a roofer or the insurer’s adjuster. Walking on a roof is dangerous and can add damage.

Siding, windows and the rest

• Vinyl siding cracks or chips, often in arcs or holes, mostly on the side facing the storm. Cold vinyl is more brittle.
• Aluminium siding dents.
• Wood and fibre cement chip, and paint is knocked off.
• Stucco can be pitted or cracked.
• Windows crack. Check the glazing beads, cladding and screens as well as the glass.
• Sealed window units can lose their seal and fog between the panes later.

What to do

1. Photograph the hailstones beside a ruler or coin if you can do so safely, and all the visible damage.
2. Note the date and time of the storm.
3. Check inside for leaks, particularly around skylights and vents.
4. Cover broken windows and skylights and any openings in the roof.
5. Call your insurer or broker to report the loss.
6. Arrange a roof inspection by a reputable local roofer.
7. Keep receipts for emergency work.

The contractors who arrive after hail

Large hailstorms attract crews from elsewhere who canvass the neighbourhood. Some are legitimate. Take your time:

• Use a company with a local address, references, liability insurance and WSIB coverage
• Be wary of free inspections that find damage on every roof
• Do not sign a contract that hands over your insurance claim or commits you before the insurer has agreed the scope
• Do not pay large deposits

How hail claims work

Hail is a standard insured peril in Canadian home policies, but the details vary more than for most claims.

• Deductibles. Some policies, particularly in hail-prone regions, have a separate and higher deductible for wind and hail.
• Roof settlement basis. Some insurers pay replacement cost on newer roofs and a depreciated amount on older ones, according to a schedule in the policy.
• Cosmetic damage. Some policies exclude damage that affects only appearance, such as dents in metal roofing or siding that do not affect function.
• Functional damage. For shingles, the question is whether hail has reduced the roof’s ability to shed water or shortened its life. Adjusters often mark out test squares on each slope and count the hits.
• Matching. Where only one elevation of siding or one slope of roof is damaged, replacement of the undamaged sides for the sake of matching depends on the policy.

Read the wind and hail section of your policy, and ask your broker to explain anything unclear before you need it.

If water got in

Broken skylights, cracked windows and punctured roofing let rain in. Wet ceilings, insulation and walls need drying promptly to prevent mold, and the drying is part of the same claim.

Reducing the risk

• When re-roofing, ask about impact-rated shingles, which stand up better to hail
• Keep the roof in good repair. Old, brittle shingles are damaged by smaller hail.
• Put vehicles under cover when hail is forecast
• Stay indoors and away from windows and skylights during the storm

More: storm damage restoration.