Had a storm in Frankfort? How to check for hail damage, file an insurance claim, and get your roof replaced.
After a hail storm in Frankfort, 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 Frankfort, and how the insurance process works.
Frankfort homes at a glance
Frankfort has a historic downtown beside the Old Plank Road Trail, the established Prestwick neighborhood, and a large number of custom homes built since the 1990s. Homes here tend to be bigger and more detailed than the area average.
Frankfort's custom homes have some of the most complicated roofs we work on: steep pitches, many hips and valleys, and several roof-to-wall joints. They take longer and need an experienced crew.
How hail affects different Frankfort roofs
In and around the historic downtown, 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 Prestwick and the other established neighborhoods, look closely at ridge caps and at the shingles around vents and skylights, which fail first. Aluminum soffit, fascia and old gutters on these homes show dents clearly and help prove the size of the hail.
In the custom-home subdivisions built since the 1990s, 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 Frankfort home
A big Frankfort roof gives hail a lot to hit, and steep slopes hide the damage from the ground. Look at what you can reach: copper or painted metal over bay windows, gutters, downspouts and the garage door. With a roof this size, the claim paperwork is long, so careful slope-by-slope photos matter.
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 Frankfort
Permit rules are set by the Village of Frankfort. We check what your project needs and pull the permit when one is required. Homes in a designated historic district may also need design review for exterior changes. See our Frankfort page for this service, or the same guide for New Lenox.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Frankfort.