Had a storm in Plainfield? How to check for hail damage, file an insurance claim, and get your roof replaced.
After a hail storm in Plainfield, 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 Plainfield, and how the insurance process works.
Plainfield homes at a glance
Plainfield has a small historic core along Lockport Street and a very large ring of subdivisions built between the mid-1990s and 2008. That means most Plainfield homes are now 18 to 30 years old, which is right when original builder windows, roofs and siding come due.
Open exposure also means Plainfield roofs see strong straight-line wind. We check for lifted and creased shingles on the windward slopes even when a homeowner called about something else.
How hail affects different Plainfield roofs
In the village core around Lockport 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 subdivisions built from the mid-1990s through 2008, which is most of the village, 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 Plainfield home
Plainfield's open terrain means storms arrive with wind behind them, and wind-driven hail does more damage than hail that falls straight down. Check the west-facing siding and window screens as well as the roof. Because so many homes here are the same age, an entire subdivision often qualifies after one storm, and the door-knockers arrive within days.
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 Plainfield
Permit rules are set by the Village of Plainfield. 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 Plainfield page for this service, or the same guide for Joliet, or the same guide for Naperville.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Plainfield.