Guides
December 8, 2025
Discover how to properly assess storm and hail damage to your roof and understand the critical next steps to protect your Suffolk County home.
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That storm last night sounded like someone was throwing golf balls at your roof. Now you’re standing outside, coffee getting cold, staring up at your home and wondering if those impacts actually caused damage or if your roof just survived another typical Suffolk County weather beating.
Here’s the thing – you’re asking exactly the right question at exactly the right time. Most homeowners wait too long or guess wrong about storm damage, and that hesitation can turn a covered insurance claim into thousands of dollars out of your own pocket.
The good news? You can learn to spot the warning signs and know exactly what to do next. Learn more about roof repairs. Let’s walk through this step by step, so you can protect both your home and your wallet.
First things first – stay off that roof. I don’t care how handy you are or how good your balance is. A damaged roof can be structurally unsound, making it dangerous to navigate. You’re not trying to be a hero here; you’re trying to be smart.
Start your detective work from the ground. Walk around your entire house and look up from different angles. Use binoculars if you have them – they’ll help you spot details that matter. Look for signs of damage like missing shingles or loose gutters.
Your yard holds clues too. Are there shingles or pieces of shingles on the ground around the perimeter of your home? Shingles may have been ripped off during high winds, which usually indicates that you have hail and wind damage to your roof. It’s like breadcrumbs leading you to the real story of what happened up there.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: hail damage is sneaky. Hail damage can be difficult to spot, leading to hidden problems down the road. You might look up at your roof and think everything looks fine, while damage is already shortening your roof’s lifespan.
Look for hail divots that are black in color, or are soft to the touch, like the bruise on an apple. Also, look for any loss of granules, visible damage to the shingle, and asphalt and/or mat that appears shiny. Think of it like this – your shingles have a protective coating of granules, kind of like the skin on an apple. When hail hits, it bruises that protective layer.
Here’s a simple test: check your gutters and downspouts. Hail impact often damages the protective layer found on shingles. The granules of the shingles are loosened from the impact and usually get washed down the gutters and downspouts. This is usually a sign your roof has sustained damage. If you see more granules than usual collecting around your downspouts, that’s your roof telling you it took a beating.
Don’t forget about the other stuff up there. Look for dents or pockmarks on your roof’s flashing or vent caps. Roof vents that are dented point to signs the roof has sustained damage. If your air conditioning unit, gutters, or mailbox got dinged up, your roof probably did too.
Size matters when it comes to hail. Any hail larger than a ½ inch can damage a roof. Once hailstones reach or exceed ¾-inch to 1-inch—about the diameter of a U.S. quarter—you’re venturing into potentially harmful territory for your roof. If you remember seeing quarter-sized hail or bigger during that storm, you need a professional inspection. No question about it.
Sometimes your roof damage shows up inside your house first. Sometimes, roof storm damage might not be obvious, but its effects—such as water stains on the ceiling and a musty smell in your attic—could show up later. Your home is basically sending you messages about what’s happening above.
If you can safely get into your attic, take a look around with a flashlight. You’re looking for wet insulation, water stains on the wood framing, or any damp spots. Check the interior of your home for water stains (discoloration or stains on ceilings and walls, indicating a potential leak), damp spots (moisture or damp spots in the attic or upper floors), and mold growth (presence of mold or mildew, which can result from water infiltration).
Pay extra attention around chimneys, vents, and skylights. If you have a chimney or vents, check around that area in the home for leaks – these will be the most common leak culprits from roof damage. These are the weak spots where water finds its way in first.
Look for any water stains on the ceilings (corners especially) for sign of roof leakage. Look for bubbling paint, where water gets trapped between drywall and paint. Even tiny stains can mean big problems are developing above your head.
Trust your nose too. That musty smell in your upper floors or attic? That’s moisture where it shouldn’t be. It’s an early warning system that can save you from major interior damage and expensive mold problems down the road.
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If you’re a homeowner and think you may have hail damage, the first thing you should do is call a professional contractor for a free roof inspection. If the inspector thinks you may have damage, your next step would be to file an insurance claim.
Here’s the deal – time is not your friend when it comes to roof damage. When dealing with hail damage on your roof, the importance of timely action cannot be overstated. The longer you wait to address the damage, the more extensive – and expensive – repairs can become. That’s why it’s crucial to act fast and assess the damage as soon as possible after a storm.
Professional contractors see things you miss. Local, highly rated contractors readily provide complimentary storm and hail damage inspections. We are experienced and know exactly how to check roofs for hail damage, whereas an amateur could miss some of the signs. We’ve got the training, the tools, and the experience to spot problems before they become disasters.
A real roof inspection is nothing like your ground-level look-around. We provide thorough hail damage inspections and use specialized tools to identify even minor damage so that your home is fully restored. We’re looking at things you can’t see and wouldn’t know to look for.
We’ll check everything up there. Our inspection covers roof shingles, gutters, skylights, flashing, vent hoods, vent stacks, chimney caps & chimneys. Every single component gets examined, photographed, and documented. This isn’t just for our records – it’s building your case if you need to file an insurance claim.
Maximizing your insurance claim after a storm starts with a detailed roof inspection. As experienced storm damage specialists, we perform comprehensive inspections, carefully identifying and documenting even the smallest signs of hail or wind damage. This documentation becomes your ammunition when you’re dealing with insurance companies.
The whole process usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your roof size. We’ll walk you through everything we found, show you photos, and give you a written report. Once our qualified project manager has made an accurate determination of what repairs will be necessary, we provide a detailed inspection photo report outlining all damage or issues found during the inspection and a detailed estimate for requested repairs.
Watch out for the door knockers though. Door knockers inevitably come into neighborhoods going door to door after strong storms. The problem is most of them are from out-of-state roofing companies who chase storms and most likely won’t be around if there’s a problem in the future. Stick with local contractors who have skin in the game and will be here when you need them.
If damage is confirmed, you’re entering the insurance game. Once you’ve assessed and documented the damage, call your insurance company immediately. It’s important to get to this part as fast as possible to begin your claim. But here’s what they don’t tell you – this process isn’t designed to be easy for you.
The good news is that storm damage is typically covered. Homeowners insurance typically covers roof damage caused by extreme weather events like heavy thunderstorms, hail storms, and tornadoes. This includes damage from straight-line winds or fallen trees during storms. If these weather events cause your roof damage, your insurance should cover most or even all of the cost for roof replacement.
The not-so-good news? Insurance companies don’t make the claims process easy. Homeowners often face claim denials, delayed payments, or underpaid settlements, leaving them with costly out-of-pocket expenses. They’re in the business of collecting premiums, not paying claims. That’s just reality.
This is where having the right contractor becomes crucial. It’s vital to have a knowledgeable representative during the inspection to avoid potential issues with the insurance company and maximize your claim’s potential. We should be there when the insurance adjuster shows up. It’s very important that you have us come out and inspect the roof with your insurance adjuster. You have to remember the insurance company is looking for reasons NOT to replace your roof. That’s why it’s important to make sure we inspect the roof with the adjuster.
Document everything like your wallet depends on it – because it does. Take clear, timestamped photos of all visible damage, missing shingles, dents, or leaks. File insurance claims as soon as possible, and take photos or videos showing the extent of the damage. This becomes your evidence in what’s essentially a negotiation.
Know your numbers before you start. Every homeowner must pay a deductible for every claim. The larger the deductible, the less money you receive for a claim. $1,000 deductibles are the most common, but several carriers updated their policies to have specific deductibles for hail and wind claims. Don’t get surprised by a deductible you didn’t know about.
Look, storm damage assessment isn’t rocket science, but it’s not something you should wing either. It’s important to address hail damage promptly to prevent further deterioration and potential leaks. Always consult with professionals if you have any doubts about the extent of the damage or the necessary repairs.
Here’s your action plan: start with a safe inspection from the ground, document everything you find, and get professionals involved if you spot any warning signs. Hail damage can have a significant impact on the integrity and safety of your roof. Identifying and addressing damage promptly is crucial to preventing further issues and ensuring the longevity of your roof.
Your roof protects everything you’ve worked for. Don’t let small problems turn into big, expensive disasters because you waited too long or tried to handle it alone. When you need straight answers and professional assessment for your Suffolk County home, Home Team Construction brings the local expertise and honest approach you deserve.
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