When a hailstorm rolls across the Western Slope, the damage it leaves on a roof isn’t always obvious. Hail can bruise shingles, knock loose the granules that protect them, and dent metal vents and flashing, all without leaving a hole you can see from the driveway. A roof can look fine from the street and still have damage that lets water in later.
The good news: you can learn a lot from the ground, safely, in one walk around the house. This guide covers what hail does to each part of your home’s exterior, the signs you can check without a ladder, how to photograph what you find, and when it’s worth calling for a free inspection.
What Hail Does to Your Roof, Gutters, Siding, and Vents
Shingles. Asphalt shingles are covered in granules that shield them from the sun. A hard hit can knock those granules off or crack the mat underneath, leaving a soft, bruised spot. Damage like that can hold for a while and still let water in later. That’s why hail damage is easy to miss, and why you should look for it from the ground instead of climbing up. A wet or damaged roof is no place for a ladder, and walking on bruised shingles can make the damage worse.
Gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts are usually thin metal, so they dent easily. Dented sections can also hold water and drain poorly.
Vents, flashing, and other roof metal. Roof vents, pipe boots, and the metal flashing around chimneys and skylights sit right in the path of falling hail. Dents and cracks here matter because these are common spots for water to find its way in.
Siding and windows. Wind-driven hail hits walls as well as roofs. Depending on the material, siding can crack, chip, or dent, and window screens, trim, and paint can take damage too. Damage on one side of the house tells you which way the storm came from, which helps you know where to look first.
A wet or damaged roof is no place for a ladder, and walking on bruised shingles can make the damage worse.
6 Signs You Can Check Safely From the Ground
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, and vents. Soft metal shows hail first. Look for dings along the gutters, dented downspouts, and dimpled roof vents or flashing. If the metal took hits, the shingles around it may have been hit by the same storm, so it’s worth having the roof checked.
- Granules piling up at the downspouts. Check where your downspouts empty and along the gutters. A fresh buildup of dark, sand-like grit after a storm can mean hail knocked granules off your shingles.
- Dark spots, cracks, or missing shingles. From across the street, or with binoculars, look for dark patches where granules are gone, cracked or split shingles, and pieces lying in the yard.
- Cracked or dented siding and trim. Walk the side of the house that faced the storm. Look for cracks, chips, or dents in the siding, window trim, and screens. Siding damage is a good reason to have the roof checked too.
- Hail marks around the yard. Dented mailboxes, patio furniture, grills, and cars, or bent fins on your air conditioner, show how hard the hail hit. Photograph them; they help tell the story of the storm.
- Water stains inside. Check the ceilings on your top floor for new stains or bubbling paint. If you can safely reach your attic, look for damp insulation, water marks on the wood, or daylight coming through. Fresh stains after a storm are a reason to call right away.
How to Photograph Hail Damage for a Claim
Take your photos from the ground, in daylight, as soon as it’s safe after the storm. Start wide, with each side of the house, then move in close on anything dented, cracked, or missing. Put a coin or a tape measure next to dents on gutters or siding so the size is clear. Use your phone’s zoom for the roof instead of a ladder. Photograph the granules at your downspouts and any hail marks around the yard, like dented mailboxes, grills, or patio furniture.
Keep everything together: the date of the storm, your photos, and notes on what you noticed and when. If water got inside, photograph the stains and any damaged belongings too. Check your policy for any deadline to report damage, and keep copies of anything you send your insurer. Good records help you and your insurer see what happened.
What Our Free Inspection Includes
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, that’s what the free inspection is for. We come out, measure, and check your roof, gutters, and siding. You get photos and a detailed damage assessment, and we tell you what we found. The inspection is free, with no pressure to move forward.
Depending on the job, you get a quote on the spot or a written estimate shortly after. If the storm opened your roof, storm response runs 24/7. Call (970) 649-6469 and we can get a tarp on it and document the damage for your claim.
How an Insurance Claim Works With Us
If the inspection turns up storm damage and you decide to file a claim, here’s how the process works with us.
- Free inspection. We document your roof and exterior with photos and a detailed damage assessment.
- Claim guidance. We walk you through filing with your insurance company.
- Adjuster visit. We can be there when your adjuster inspects. Once you’ve hired us under a signed contract, we make sure the full scope of damage is documented correctly, so nothing legitimate gets missed.
- Quality build. Once you approve the work, our crew installs to manufacturer spec, cleans up completely, and stands behind the workmanship.
Every policy is different, so call your insurance company with questions about your coverage, your deductible, or a deadline to report damage.
Note: Ingenubuild documents damage and helps coordinate your claim. We do not waive, rebate, or absorb insurance deductibles, which is prohibited under Colorado law. Your insurer determines coverage.
When to Call for an Inspection
Call for a free inspection if you spotted any of the signs above, if neighbors are getting roofs replaced after the same storm, or if you just aren’t sure. It’s better to find a problem while it’s small than after it turns into a leak. Photograph what you can see from the ground, note the date of the storm, and check your policy for any deadline to report damage.
Call right away if hail or wind has opened your roof, if water is coming inside, or if shingles or flashing are missing. Storm response runs 24/7, so we can get a tarp on it and document the damage for your claim.
We’re based in Grand Junction and serve homeowners across the Western Slope and Colorado mountain communities. Call (970) 649-6469 or request your free inspection online. We respond within 24 hours.
