Had a storm in Naperville? How to check for hail damage, file an insurance claim, and get your roof replaced.
After a hail storm in Naperville, 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 Naperville, and how the insurance process works.
Naperville homes at a glance
Naperville grew outward in rings. The Historic District around North Central College has homes more than a century old, the middle of town filled in during the 1970s and 1980s, and the south side toward 95th Street and beyond was built from the 1990s on.
Naperville's larger two-story homes tend to have steep, multi-gable roofs with a lot of valleys and wall flashing. The flashing work matters more on these roofs than the shingle brand does.
How hail affects different Naperville roofs
In the Historic District and the streets around North Central College, 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 1970s and 1980s subdivisions such as Cress Creek and Brookdale, 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 south Naperville, in neighborhoods like Ashbury, White Eagle and Tall Grass, 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 Naperville home
Naperville's large two-story roofs have many slopes facing different directions, and hail usually arrives from one side. It is common for the west and south slopes to be badly bruised while the north looks untouched. An adjuster needs to see each slope documented separately, which is why we photograph every one.
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 Naperville
Permit rules are set by the City of Naperville. 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 Naperville page for this service, or the same guide for Bolingbrook, or the same guide for Plainfield.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Naperville.