How to Spot Hail Damage on Your Roof (Illinois Homeowner Guide)

Chicagoland gets hit by hailstorms regularly, but most homeowners have no idea whether their roof was damaged until they see a leak. Here's what to look for — and what to do about it.

Signs You Can See from the Ground

Start by walking around your home and looking for damage on other surfaces — these are indicators that hail also hit your roof:

• Dents in aluminum gutters, downspouts, or gutter screens
• Dents in aluminum siding, window frames, or door frames
• Damage to your AC unit's fins
• Marks on painted wood surfaces (deck rails, fence, trim)
• Dings on your car if it was parked outside during the storm

If you see hail damage on ANY of these surfaces, your roof almost certainly took hits too.

What Hail Damage Looks Like on Shingles

This is where it gets tricky — because hail damage on shingles often isn't visible from the ground. On the roof, hail damage appears as:

• Random circular marks where granules have been knocked off (exposing the black asphalt underneath)
• Soft spots that feel spongy when pressed (the mat is bruised even if granules remain)
• Cracked or split shingles from large hailstones
• Damage that follows no pattern (unlike foot traffic or mechanical damage which follows a line)

What NOT to Do

Don't climb on your roof to check. It's dangerous, you could cause more damage, and you likely won't know what to look for anyway. Let a professional inspector handle it — our inspections are free and we'll give you an honest assessment.

What to Do Instead

After any significant hailstorm in your area, call a local roofing contractor for a free inspection. If damage is found, they can help you file an insurance claim. Most storm damage claims are covered by homeowner's insurance and you'd only pay your deductible. Learn about our insurance claim process →

Important: Call a LOCAL contractor, not a storm chaser. Companies that show up after storms from out of state often do poor work and disappear before warranty issues arise.