Had a storm in Lockport? How to check for hail damage, file an insurance claim, and get your roof replaced.
After a hail storm in Lockport, 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 Lockport, and how the insurance process works.
Lockport homes at a glance
Lockport was laid out in the 1830s as the headquarters of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and its downtown historic district still has limestone buildings from that era. Around it are older frame houses, postwar ranches and newer subdivisions on the east side.
Several of Lockport's oldest houses have had two or more roof layers put on over the years. Building codes limit how many layers a roof can carry, so these are full tear-offs down to the deck.
How hail affects different Lockport roofs
In the historic district and the older streets off State Street, 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 Cape Cods 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.
In the newer subdivisions on the east side, many still have the original builder shingle, which is thin and now brittle with age. Hail that a new roof would shrug off can end the life of a 20-year-old one. With many slopes facing different directions, at least one usually took the storm directly.
What to check first on a Lockport home
Older Lockport roofs with two or more layers hide hail damage well, because the top layer is cushioned by the one beneath and bruises do not show the same way. That does not mean the roof escaped. An inspector who knows layered roofs will check ridge caps, vents and the edges, where damage is clearest.
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 Lockport
Permit rules are set by the City of Lockport. 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 Lockport page for this service, or the same guide for Joliet.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Lockport.