Signs Your Roof Has Hail Damage

Illinois sits squarely in a hail corridor that stretches from Texas to the Great Lakes. DuPage County sees multiple significant hailstorms every spring and summer, with hailstones regularly reaching golf-ball size during severe supercell events. The frustrating part for homeowners is that hail damage to a roof often isn't visible from the ground — and it rarely causes an immediate leak. Instead, the granule loss and shingle bruising quietly shortens the life of your roof by years.

Knowing what to look for — and acting on it quickly — can be the difference between a fully covered insurance claim and paying for repairs out of pocket after your insurer says you filed too late.

Visible Signs of Hail Damage

The most reliable way to inspect your roof after a storm is to hire a licensed contractor who can safely walk the surface. But here's what they'll be looking for — and what you can check from the ground or a ladder at the eave level.

• Circular dents or 'bruises' on asphalt shingles — they look like a thumbprint pressed into the surface
• Missing granules in concentrated spots, often exposing the dark asphalt mat underneath
• Dents on soft metal surfaces: gutters, downspouts, drip edge, chimney caps, and HVAC covers
• Cracked or split shingles along an impact point
• Dented or punctured ridge cap shingles
• Granule buildup in gutters and downspout discharge points after the storm

What Hail Damage Does Over Time

Hail doesn't usually blow a hole in your roof immediately. What it does is fracture the bond between the shingle's granule coating and the asphalt mat. Those granules are what reflect UV rays and protect the asphalt from drying out. Once granules are gone from a spot, the underlying mat begins oxidizing rapidly — cracking, curling, and eventually allowing water infiltration.

In a climate like Hinsdale's, where temperatures swing from 90°F in July to -10°F in January, that accelerated degradation is magnified. A shingle that loses its granule protection in June may be actively leaking by the following February after repeated freeze-thaw expansion.

How to Document Damage for an Insurance Claim

If you suspect hail damage, document everything before any repairs are made. Take dated photos and video of your gutters, downspouts, window screens, outdoor A/C units, and the roof surface if safely accessible. These metal and screen surfaces act as a 'hail gauge' — if they're dented, your roof almost certainly took hits too.

Contact your insurance company within a reasonable timeframe. Most Illinois policies have a one-year window for storm damage claims, but some have stricter limits. Don't wait — and don't let an unvetted storm-chaser contractor pressure you into signing an assignment of benefits before your adjuster has visited.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hail Damage

Does hail damage always require full replacement? Not always. If the damage is limited to a small section, a partial replacement may be sufficient. However, if your roof is older than 15 years and has widespread granule loss, insurers often approve full replacement.

Can I file a claim for hail damage two years later? In Illinois, standard homeowner's policies generally require you to report storm damage within one year of the event, though the actual repair can happen later. Check your specific policy language.

Should I get on the roof myself? We don't recommend it unless you have proper footwear and safety equipment. A wet asphalt shingle is surprisingly slippery. Let a professional inspect it safely.

After any significant hail event in DuPage County, Hinsdale Roofing Pros can connect you with a local contractor for a free post-storm inspection. Get matched today — our network contractors work directly with your insurance adjuster so you're not left navigating the claim alone.