Guides
What does hail damage on shingles look like?
The signs a roofer looks for on the roof, and the checks you can run safely from the ground.
Written by HyreRoof Research Desk Primary-source research and fact checking
The short answer
Hail damage on shingles looks like dark, roughly round spots where the granules were knocked off, scattered in a random pattern across the slopes that faced the storm. Some hits also crack the shingle or leave a soft bruise underneath.
You cannot safely confirm that from a ladder, so check from the ground first: dents in gutters, downspouts, vents and A/C fins mean hail hit hard enough to have the roof inspected.
Stay off the roof
Do not climb onto the roof or lean a ladder against wet or damaged gutters to look. Every check on this page is done from the ground, from a window or from inside the house. Keep clear of downed power lines and call the utility or 911.
Key takeaways
Dark spots where granules were knocked off, scattered across the slope with no line or repeat.
IBHS notes a bruise can usually be felt at a genuine impact. Feeling for it is a roofer’s job on the roof, not yours.
Gutters, downspouts, vents, A/C fins and cars show hail first, and you can check them from the ground.
Blisters, scuffs from foot traffic, manufacturing marks and normal edge wear are not hail damage.
Find a roofer after a hailstorm
Free, with no obligation. A person at HyreRoof replies by email. Matching with roofers is not live yet.
What does hail damage look like on asphalt shingles?
Hail damage on asphalt shingles shows up in three forms. A roofer confirms each one on the roof with a written report.
| Sign | What it looks like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Granule loss at impact points | Dark, roughly round spots where the colored granules were knocked off, exposing black asphalt. | Granules shield the asphalt from sun. IBHS notes heavy granule loss leaves the asphalt more open to aging. |
| Bruises and dents | A soft spot under the granules where the mat was crushed. Often not visible, only felt. | IBHS rates dents and tears as the damage most tied to water getting in. |
| Cracks and tears | Splits or fractures in the shingle, sometimes with the fiberglass mat showing through. | A breach in the shingle lets water reach the underlayment and deck. |
| Damaged ridge caps | Cracked or bruised caps along the ridge line. | IBHS calls ridge caps one of the most hail-vulnerable parts of a shingle roof. |
The pattern matters as much as the mark. IBHS describes real hail damage as occurring in a random pattern; marks that line up, repeat on every shingle or sit only on shingle edges usually have another cause.
Ground-level hail damage checklist
Hail that is big enough to mark the roof usually marks softer things around the house first. Walk the outside of the house and check these, with your phone camera on.
Look along the gutter fronts and down each downspout for round dents. Dents in metal mean hail hit with force.
A fresh pile of shingle granules where a downspout empties can follow hail. Older roofs shed some granules anyway, so note how much and when.
From the yard, look at metal vents, pipe boots and flashing. Dents and fresh shiny marks are clues. Binoculars help.
Check the outdoor A/C unit fins, mailbox, metal fences, window wraps and light fixtures for dents.
Clean spots on dirty or oxidized metal and painted surfaces. IBHS notes spatter is not damage, but shows that hail fell there.
Look for cracked vinyl siding, chipped paint, torn screens and broken glass, most on the side that faced the storm.
Dented cars or patio furniture parked outside during the storm point to large hail.
Check ceilings under the roof and, if it is safe to enter, the attic for new stains or wet insulation after the next rain.
Note the date, the time and the largest hail you saw. NOAA rates hail quarter size, one inch, or larger as severe.
None of these proves the roof is damaged. They show that hail hit the property hard enough to mark it, which is the reason to have the roof inspected and documented.
What gets mistaken for hail damage?
Hail damage look-alikes are the most common source of disputes after a storm. IBHS lists four.
| Look-alike | How it differs from hail |
|---|---|
| Blisters | Raised bubbles that pop and leave small pits. A roofer can tell them apart from hail bruises by feel and pattern. |
| General granule loss | Even wear, often heaviest along shingle edges and on older roofs. No round impact points. |
| Mechanical marks | Scuffs and scrapes from foot traffic, tools or tree branches, often in a line or where people walk. |
| Manufacturing marks | Marks repeated in the same place on many shingles, which a random hailstorm would not do. |
What should you do next?
Five steps, in order. None of them involves climbing onto the roof.
Take dated photos of each dent, the granules, each side of the house and any ceiling stains.
Move belongings from leaks. An emergency tarp is a job for a roofer, not for a ladder in the rain.
Ask for dated photos of every slope and a count of hits in test areas on the slopes that faced the storm.
Your policy and your insurer decide coverage, the deductible and any deadline. This page cannot tell you what is covered.
After a hailstorm, door-to-door crews arrive. IBHS advises caution with unsolicited offers to inspect or repair your roof.
Read storm damage and insurance for how a claim works, then the hail claim estimator to work through your own deductible and depreciation.
Your inquiry
Tell us about the work
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A person reads it and replies by email, free and with no obligation. Matching is not live yet, so this is not a quote. If water is coming in now, call a local roofer directly and check their license first.
Find a Roofer
One short form: your address and how to reach you. A person at HyreRoof reads it and replies.
Questions
What does hail damage on shingles look like?
Can I see hail damage from the ground?
What size hail damages a roof?
Is it hail damage or just an old roof?
Will insurance pay for hail damage on my roof?
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