What Hail Damage Looks Like on a Roof
What hail damage looks like on a roof depends on the roofing material, the size of the hail and the angle it came in at. On shingles it is usually subtle: dark round marks where granules were knocked off and soft spots where the mat underneath was bruised. Here is what to look for, and what is not hail at all.
The Short Answer
On asphalt shingles, hail damage looks like random dark spots where granules are missing, often with a soft, bruised feel when pressed, and sometimes cracked or split shingles. On metal it shows as round dents; on tile, as cracks and broken corners. Gutters, vents and AC fins usually show dents too.
Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof You Can Check Safely
You do not need to climb a ladder to know whether hail hit the property. These signs are visible from the yard.
Dented gutters and downspouts
Small round dents along the gutter face are one of the clearest signs of hail size.
AC condenser fins
Hail flattens the thin aluminum fins on the outdoor unit in a dotted pattern.
Granules at the downspouts
A pile of shingle granules where the downspouts drain means the surface was knocked loose.
Soft metals
Dents or bright spatter marks on roof vents, flashing and mailboxes.
Screens and siding
Torn window screens, dents in siding and chipped paint on the storm-facing side.
Cars and patio furniture
If cars parked outside are dented, the roof took the same hail.
Hail Damage on Shingles, Metal and Tile
| Roof type | What hail damage looks like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Random dark spots with missing granules; soft bruises; cracked or split shingles | Exposed asphalt ages fast in Austin sun, and bruised mats crack later |
| Metal | Round dents in panels and trim; damage at seams or fasteners | Dents can be cosmetic, but damaged seams or fasteners let water in |
| Clay or concrete tile | Cracked, chipped or broken tiles, often at corners | Broken tile exposes the underlayment beneath |
| Flat and low-slope | Fractures or punctures in the membrane, damaged drains | Water sits on flat roofs, so small fractures leak sooner |
Hail Damage vs Normal Wear
Some roof damage looks like hail but is not, and an adjuster will know the difference. Filing for it wastes time and leaves a denied claim on your record.
Blistering
Raised bubbles that pop and leave small craters. A manufacturing or ventilation issue, not hail.
Even granule loss
Granules worn evenly across the whole roof is age. Hail leaves a random pattern.
Foot traffic and tools
Scuffs in a line or around equipment come from people, not the sky.
How to Tell if Your Roof Has Hail Damage for Certain
Ground-level signs tell you hail hit the property. Only an inspection on the roof tells you whether the roof itself was damaged, and documents it with dated photos for a claim. Our storm damage roof inspection in Austin page explains what that inspection covers.
What size hail damages a roof?
Damage depends on the roof's age, material and the hail's size and angle. Larger stones do more, but even smaller hail can damage an older roof.
Can I see hail damage from the ground?
Usually not on the roof itself. You can see the signs that hail hit: dented gutters, AC fins, soft metals and granules at the downspouts.
Does hail damage always leak?
No. Bruised shingles often keep shedding water for months before failing.
Should I go on the roof to look?
No. Damaged shingles are slippery and the decking may be weakened. Leave it to an inspection.
Related Storm and Hail Guides
Both of our main guides go deeper: storm damage roofing in Austin covers wind, rain and tree damage, and roof hail damage Austin covers hail on every roof type. Or browse all storm and hail roof damage guides.
Hail damaged roof: what to do
The first-week sequence after hail, in order.
Texas roof insurance claim timeline
Your steps and your insurer's deadlines.
Hail damage: repair or replace the roof?
The factors that decide it.
Hiring a storm damage roofer in Austin
The checks that matter and the red flags.
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in Austin
When the upgrade is worth it.
Austin hail season
When storms hit and how to prepare.
Pre-storm-season roof inspection in Austin
What gets checked before spring.
Think hail hit your roof?
Our hail damage roofing contractors in Austin will inspect and photograph it so you know for sure. We're a storm damage roofing company in Austin on Burnet Rd. Call the hail damage roofer Austin TX on the north side to put it in writing, or ask about our storm damage roofer Austin TX work after wind.
Austin Storm & Hail Damage Roofing · 12001 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78758 · (512) 709-6335 · Open 24/7
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