What Are the Signs of Storm Damage on a Roof?
Quick Summary
Common signs of storm damage roof problems include missing, torn, curled, or lifted shingles, granules collecting in gutters, round dents or cracks from hail, and water stains inside the home. Inspect from the ground first, one slope at a time, and photograph everything before repairs.
Check for missing, torn, or lifted shingles, especially along the eaves and ridge.
Dark grit in gutters and downspouts after a storm is often shingle granules.
Hail on asphalt shingles leaves round dents, cracks, and bruised granule-free spots.
Compare slopes, since hail damage usually clusters on the side facing the storm.
Never climb a wet, steep, or damaged roof; start your inspection from the ground.
Seeing storm damage on your roof?
Hurtado's Roofing offers licensed, insured inspections and free estimates for residential and commercial roofs.
Table of Contents
Common Signs of Storm Damage on a Roof
Last Updated: November 12, 2026
Storm damage roof problems often show up in ways homeowners miss. Wind, hail, and heavy rain can loosen materials, crack surfaces, and open the way for water to get inside. Most early signs are visible from the ground, so start with the outside of the roof. Knowing what to look for helps you act before a small problem becomes a costly leak.
Storm damage is not always obvious from a distance. Some of the most common signs of storm damage roof problems include missing or lifted shingles, granules in the gutters, dents or cracks from hail, and water stains inside the home. Each one points to a different kind of harm, so it helps to check each area on its own.
FEMA guidance on wind and hail damage to residential roofs
Missing, Torn, Curled, or Lifted Shingles
Shingles are the first line of defense against wind and rain. Strong gusts can tear them off, crease them, or lift the edges so water slips underneath. Look for:
Shingles that are missing completely, leaving bare underlayment or decking
Tabs that are torn, cracked, or pulled loose
Curled or lifted edges, especially along the eaves and ridge
Creased shingles that show a fold line across the surface
A common mistake is ignoring one or two missing shingles. Water can still reach the nails and underlayment, and that small gap often becomes a leak after the next rain.
Granule Loss and Granules in Gutters
Asphalt shingles have a protective layer of granules that shields the material from sun and weather. Hail and wind knock these granules loose. Check your gutters and downspouts after a storm. Dark grit that collects in the bottom of the gutter is often shingle granules.
Bald spots on the roof, where the dark base shows through, are another sign. Less granule coverage means the shingle ages faster and loses its ability to shed water.
Hail Damage Shingles: How to Spot Impact Marks and Dents
Hail damage is one of the trickiest types to spot because the strike happens in seconds and the evidence can look like ordinary wear. The size, density, and wind angle of the stones determine what you see, and the roofing material determines how the damage presents.
Start from the ground with binoculars and work one slope at a time. On asphalt shingles, look for these signs:
Round or oval dents, often with a dark center where the fiberglass mat is exposed
Cracks or splits in the shingle surface, sometimes radiating from a single impact point
Bruised areas where granules are missing in a circular pattern and the mat feels soft when pressed gently
Loose granules washed into gutters and downspouts in the days after the storm
Shingle tabs that look shiny or smooth in spots where the granule layer was knocked away
On metal roofing, hail usually leaves dents, dings, and scratches on panels, flashing, and trim. The dents may be shallow and easy to miss in flat light, so view the surface at a low angle with the sun behind you.
On tile and slate, hail tends to crack, chip, or star the surface rather than dent it. Look for fresh chips with sharp edges, hairline cracks, and pieces of tile in the yard below the slope. On wood shakes, check for split shakes, bruised fibers, and punctures that break the surface.
A useful way to separate storm damage from normal aging is to compare slopes. Hail damage shingles often cluster on the side of the roof that faced the storm, and the pattern follows the wind direction.
Watch out: soft spots, exposed mat, and cracked shingles can be caused by manufacturing defects or installer error as easily as by hail, and only a hands-on inspection can confirm the cause.
FEMA guidance on wind and hail damage to residential roofs
The article lists the main hail damage signs to check for on each roofing material.
Roofing material | Hail damage signs | Where to look |
Asphalt shingles | Round dents, cracks, bruised granule-free spots | Slope facing the storm |
Metal roofing | Dents, dings, scratches on panels and trim | Low angle, sun behind you |
Tile and slate | Fresh chips, hairline cracks, yard debris | Each slope, ground below |
Wood shakes | Split shakes, bruised fibers, punctures | Surface and edges |
A Safe Ground-Level Storm Damage Inspection Workflow
Safety comes first. Never climb onto a wet, steep, or damaged roof. Many injuries happen during post-storm inspections, so start your check from the ground.
Follow these steps:
Walk the full perimeter of the house and note any debris in the yard, including shingle pieces and branches.
Look at the roofline with binoculars and check for missing or lifted shingles.
Inspect gutters, downspouts, and fascia for dents, pulled sections, and granule buildup.
Check the soffit and vents for cracks, holes, or displaced panels.
Look at flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights for gaps or bent metal.
Go inside and check ceilings, walls, and attic spaces for stains, drips, or damp insulation.
Take photos at each step. Clear, dated photos are useful later if you need to file a claim.
OSHA fall protection guidance for residential roofing work
Documenting Storm Damage for an Insurance Claim
Good documentation makes the claims process easier, and the quality of your records often matters more than the size of the damage. Your insurer will want to see what happened, when it happened, and how bad it is, and the adjuster will compare your evidence against the policy terms and the storm record for your area.
Collect these items before you call anyone:
Dated photos and video of each damaged area, both close up and wide, with something in frame for scale
Notes on the date and type of storm, including wind direction and hail size if you know it
A list of every area affected, from the roof surface to gutters, flashing, vents, and interior ceilings
Receipts for any emergency repairs, tarps, or temporary protection
Copies of any contractor inspection reports or estimates
A common pattern is for homeowners to photograph the obvious damage and skip the surrounding areas. Adjusters look at the whole system: the slope that failed, the slope next to it, the flashing, the gutters, and the attic.
Timing matters. Most policies require prompt notice of a loss, and many set a deadline for filing a claim that can be as short as a year from the date of the storm, though the exact window varies by policy and state.
Do not throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them. Keep a few shingle pieces, granules from the gutter, or a section of dented gutter in a safe place. Adjusters often ask for them, and they help confirm the cause and the material type.
Watch out: be cautious of any contractor who offers to handle the entire claim for you or to waive your deductible, and signing a contract before the insurer inspects can limit your options. Keep control of the claim and the documentation.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners consumer guide to filing a property claim
Repair Costs, Timing, and When to Call a Professional Roofer
Small repairs, such as replacing a few shingles or sealing a flashing gap, are often less expensive than full replacement. Cost depends on the size of the damage, the roofing material, and the roof's pitch. For current pricing, check Hurtado's Roofing's pricing page or request a free estimate.
Act quickly when you see active leaks, sagging areas, or large sections of missing material. Waiting can allow water to damage insulation, drywall, and framing. Schedule a professional inspection if you find any of the following:
Water stains that are spreading or new drips during rain
Missing shingles across a large area of the roof
Hail dents on metal roofing or many dents on asphalt shingles
Damaged flashing or vents
Any roof area you cannot safely check from the ground
Hurtado's Roofing is licensed and insured, and we offer free estimates for residential and commercial properties. Call us today to get a FREE Estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered storm damage to a roof?
Storm damage is physical harm a roof sustains from a specific weather event such as high wind, hail, or falling debris. Typical examples include shingles torn off or lifted by wind, dents and cracks from hail, and flashing bent by debris. Damage from years of sun exposure, poor installation, or clogged drainage is generally considered wear rather than storm damage. A licensed roofer can help separate the two, and noting the date and weather conditions when you first see the damage helps establish when it occurred.
Can you inspect a roof for storm damage from the ground?
Yes, many visible signs can be spotted from the ground using binoculars and a zoom camera. Look for missing or displaced shingles, dark spots or dents on vents and metal flashing, granules piled in gutters, and sagging or bent gutters. Ground checks cannot confirm hidden damage such as wet insulation or cracked underlayment, so a professional inspection is needed for a complete assessment. Never climb onto a damaged roof to inspect it yourself.
Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage from a storm?
Standard homeowners policies typically cover sudden damage from wind and hail, but they usually exclude wear, neglect, and gradual deterioration. Coverage details depend on your policy and any deductible, so review your declarations page or ask your insurer directly. Document the damage with dated photographs and a written list before any repairs, and request a copy of the adjuster's report. Pricing for repairs depends on the scope of work, so request a free estimate from Hurtado's Roofing for current pricing.
What does hail damage on roof shingles look like?
Hail damage often appears as round or oval dark spots, bruised areas where granules are knocked loose, or small cracks in the mat. Shingles may feel soft or spongy when pressed, and the exposed asphalt underneath can look shiny or dark. Metal vents, flashing, and gutters may also show dimpling. Hail damage is sometimes mistaken for blistering or manufacturing marks, so a roofer should confirm the cause before repairs are scheduled.
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