Had a storm in Wheaton? How to check for hail damage, file an insurance claim, and get your roof replaced.
After a hail storm in Wheaton, 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 Wheaton, and how the insurance process works.
Wheaton homes at a glance
Wheaton is the DuPage County seat, with older homes around downtown and Wheaton College, a wide band of 1950s and 1960s ranches and split-levels, and newer subdivisions on the south side near Danada.
Heavy tree cover means Wheaton roofs collect leaf debris in the valleys and grow moss and algae on the shaded slopes. Both shorten shingle life if they are left alone.
How hail affects different Wheaton roofs
Around downtown and Wheaton 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 ranches and split-levels built through the 1950s and 1960s, 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 south side, in the 1970s and 1980s subdivisions near Danada, 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.
What to check first on a Wheaton home
Tree cover in central Wheaton cuts both ways. Leaves and limbs break up some hail before it reaches the roof, but storms also bring branches down on it. After a storm, look for punctures and scraped areas as well as hail bruising, and check that fallen limbs have not torn the gutters loose.
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 Wheaton
Permit rules are set by the City of Wheaton. We check what your project needs and pull the permit when one is required. See our Wheaton page for this service, or the same guide for Naperville, or the same guide for Downers Grove.
Common questions
Call (331) 250-3726 or request a free consultation in Wheaton.