Identifying Hail Damage

What a true hail hit looks like

Hail impacts can leave localized dents or bruises and displaced granules. A bruise may feel soft because the shingle reinforcement is fractured, but granule loss alone does not prove hail damage. A surface photograph cannot confirm a hidden fracture. Use safe inspection procedures and qualified evaluation; do not press hard, lift sealed shingles or create damage while checking.

Random pattern

Hail is random. Damage in straight lines or only near walkways suggests foot traffic or mechanical damage.

Granule displacement

Dark, exposed asphalt in a circular spot, often with granules scattered in gutters and downspouts.

Mat fracture

The fiberglass mat cracks under impact — this is what makes damage functional.

Close-up example: a possible hail impact

Notice the localized depression and displaced granules around a dark spot. These are clues to document, not a diagnosis. Compare the surrounding shingles, slope-level pattern and collateral observations, then have a qualified inspector evaluate suspected reinforcement damage. A photograph cannot establish the cause or date of a mark, hail size, or insurance coverage.

Close-up example: raised and popped blisters

Blistering can appear as small raised bubbles; a popped blister may leave a defined pit with missing granules. Compare the raised surface here with the depressed impact-like mark above. Both can expose dark asphalt, so a dark spot or round outline alone is not enough to call hail. Document what is visible rather than guessing the cause; surface appearance cannot rule out other conditions or confirm a reinforcement fracture.

Look-alikes (don't get caught)

Adjusters will challenge anything that isn't clearly hail. Know the difference.

Blistering

Raised bubbles may pop and leave defined pits. This is a hail look-alike; appearance alone does not establish its cause or prove a ventilation defect.

Granule wear

Uniform aging loss, heaviest at drip paths. Not storm damage.

Mechanical / tool marks

Crescent or linear marks, scuffs from foot traffic.

Algae / staining

Dark streaks, not bruises.

Collateral damage and the test square

Start on the ground: document dents on gutters, downspouts, AC fins, window wraps and soft metals. These can support evidence of a hail event but do not by themselves establish hail size, timing or functional roof damage. If safely accessible, document a representative 10x10 ft test square on each slope, following the applicable inspection protocol. Record suspected impacts and photograph an overview, the square and close-ups with a scale reference. There is no universal hit count that guarantees replacement or coverage.