Wind and hail damage isn't always obvious from inside the house, and the urge to grab a ladder right after a storm is understandable — but a wet, damaged roof is one of the more dangerous places to be checking things yourself. Here's a safer approach, working from the ground first.
Start From the Ground
Walk the perimeter of your house and look up at the roofline. You're checking for obviously missing shingles, shingles that look lifted or out of alignment, and any visible dents or damage on metal features like vents, flashing, or gutters. Binoculars help here more than a ladder does.
Check the Gutters and Downspouts
Granules from asphalt shingles naturally wash into gutters over time, but a sudden, heavy accumulation right after a hailstorm is a sign of granule loss from impact damage. Also look for dents in the gutters themselves — gutters are softer metal than most roofing and often show hail impacts clearly, which can be a useful indicator even when roof damage is hard to see from the ground.
Look at Siding and Window Screens
Hail damage isn't limited to the roof. Check siding, window screens, and any exterior AC units for dents or impact marks. If those surfaces show clear hail damage, it's a reasonable assumption that your roof took a similar hit, even if it's harder to see from below.
Inspect the Attic, If You Have Safe Access
From inside, a flashlight check of your attic can reveal water stains, damp insulation, or actual daylight coming through the roof boards — signs of damage that may not show up as a ceiling stain right away. This is one of the more useful checks a homeowner can safely do without going on the roof.
Document What You Find
Take photos and notes of anything unusual you see — dented gutters, missing shingles, damaged screens, water stains in the attic. This documentation is useful whether you end up filing an insurance claim or just want a clear record for whoever inspects the roof next.
What to Leave to a Professional
- Getting on the roof itself, especially when it may still be wet or the extent of damage is unknown
- Determining whether damage is cosmetic or affects the shingles' ability to shed water going forward
- Assessing flashing and valley damage, which is rarely visible from the ground
- Deciding whether the damage warrants a repair or points to a larger issue
When to Call
If you see any of the signs above, or simply aren't sure, it's worth having a professional take a look — especially before assuming everything is fine, and especially before a small amount of storm damage has time to turn into a leak. We offer 24/7 emergency service for active leaks, and standard inspections for storm damage that isn't yet causing water intrusion.
Related Service
If your inspection turns up signs of damage, our roof repair service covers everything from a quick fix to emergency tarping. For storms that cause more widespread damage, see our guide on repair vs. replacement.
Just Been Through a Storm?
Call us for 24/7 emergency service, or schedule a free inspection if there's no active leak.