Had a storm in Downers Grove? How to check for hail damage, file an insurance claim, and get your roof replaced.
After a hail storm in Downers Grove, the damage to a roof is often invisible from the ground. This guide explains what to look for, how hail affects the kinds of roofs found in Downers Grove, and how the insurance process works.
Downers Grove homes at a glance
Downers Grove is known for its Sears catalog homes, mail-order kit houses built in the 1910s and 1920s, and for the bungalows and four-squares near the BNSF line. It also has postwar ranches and a steady stream of new homes built on older lots.
The bungalows here have dormers, shallow porch roofs and deep eaves, all places where ice dams form. Ice barrier and proper attic insulation at the eaves do more than any shingle upgrade.
How hail affects different Downers Grove roofs
Near downtown and the BNSF line, including the Sears catalog homes, steep roofs take hail at a glancing angle on some slopes and square on others, so damage is uneven. Older shingles that have already lost granules bruise more easily, and plank decking under them can let a hard strike crack the shingle mat.
In the ranches and split-levels built after the war, low-pitched roofs take hail almost straight on, which is the worst angle. These roofs are easy to walk and inspect, so there is no reason to guess.
On the blocks where older houses have been replaced with new construction, large roofs have more surface to hit and more soft metal, such as copper or painted flashing, vents and gutters, to record the strikes. Claims on these roofs are bigger and more detailed, so thorough photo documentation of every slope matters.
What to check first on a Downers Grove home
Bungalow roofs in Downers Grove have wide, shallow front porch roofs and dormers that take hail squarely. Those small roof sections are often the worst hit and the easiest to see from an upstairs window. Check them first, then the metal: gutters, downspouts and the caps on the chimney.
What to check from the ground
- Dents in soft metal. Gutters, downspouts, roof vents, mailbox, the fins on the air conditioner.
- Torn window screens and chipped paint on the side the storm came from.
- Granules washed into the gutters and piled at the bottom of downspouts.
- Dings or cracks in siding, especially vinyl.
If you see two or more of these, the roof needs to be looked at up close. Please do not climb up yourself.
What hail damage looks like on shingles
A hail strike knocks granules off and bruises the mat underneath. The spot looks like a dark, round mark and feels soft when pressed, like a bruise on an apple. It may not leak right away. Over the following seasons the exposed asphalt dries out and cracks, and that is when the leaks begin, often after the claim deadline has passed.
How the insurance claim works
- Get an inspection. We inspect for free and photograph every slope.
- File the claim. You call your insurer and report the storm date. Many policies set a deadline for filing, often one year from the storm, so check yours.
- Adjuster meeting. We meet the adjuster on your roof and walk through what we documented.
- Scope and approval. We review the insurer's estimate so it includes everything the roof needs to be replaced properly.
- Replacement. On an approved claim your cost is normally your deductible plus any upgrades you choose.
Be careful with out-of-town crews that knock on doors after a storm. Our post on storm chasers vs local contractors explains what to watch for.
Permits in Downers Grove
Permit rules are set by the Village of Downers Grove. We check what your project needs and pull the permit when one is required. See our Downers Grove page for this service, or the same guide for Wheaton.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Downers Grove.