Identify Storm Damage on Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Goal

Identify hail, wind, + impact damage on asphalt shingles so you can document it accurately for the customer + their insurance carrier. Most storm-damage claims are paid or denied based on the inspection quality + documentation - not the actual damage severity.

Prerequisites

• Roof inspection equipment (ladder, harness)
• Camera + tape measure + chalk
• HAAG inspection certification preferred
• 60-90 minutes per roof
• Recent storm (within 12 months - claims age out)
• Dry roof, no recent rain

Steps

Step 1: Storm verification (10 min)

Before climbing:

• Check NOAA storm reports for the property's date + location (storm date + hail size required for insurance)
• Note nearby damage (neighbors' roofs, cars, fences) - corroborates storm impact
• Customer's description of storm timing matters

Step 2: Ground-level + soft-metal check (10 min)

Soft metals catch damage before shingles obviously show it:

• Roof vents / pipe collars (aluminum/lead): round dimples = hail strike
• Gutters: dents, especially horizontal-facing surfaces
• AC condenser fins: hail dents
• Window screens: punctures or tears from large hail
• Wood fences: round impact marks
• Siding (aluminum): dimples

Quantity + size of soft-metal hits indicates severity. 8+ hits per 10×10 ft square = significant.

Step 3: Shingle hail damage identification (45 min on roof)

True hail damage signature:

1. Round bruise - circular, 1/4" to 2" diameter
2. Asphalt cracking - matte where granules are loose
3. Exposed mat - black fiber visible underneath
4. Soft to touch - finger pressure leaves mark (mat is bruised)
5. Random pattern - not in rows or aligned

Per 10×10 ft test square:

• Count hail hits on the slope
• 8+ functional hits in 100 sq ft = TOTAL ROOF claim
• 1-7 functional hits per 100 sq ft = REPAIR or partial claim
• 0 hits per 100 sq ft = no claim

Mark each hit with chalk circle. Photograph each square with chalk marks.

NOT hail damage (don't confuse):

• Manufacturing flaws (rectangular, factory-pattern)
• Foot traffic (linear scuff marks)
• Granule loss from age (uniform, not pitted)
• Tree branch damage (linear, sharp edges)
• Mechanical damage (sharp/angular)
• Blistering (raised, not depressed)

Step 4: Wind damage identification (20 min)

True wind damage signatures:

1. Missing shingles - wind blew them off; check ground around house
2. Lifted shingles - sealant strip broken, shingle can be raised by hand
3. Creased shingles - wind bent up + folded back; visible crease line across tab
4. Bruised through manufacturer overlap - wind pulled previous course free

Check ALL slopes - wind direction matters; windward slopes show worst damage.

Wind speed needed:

• 50+ mph for sealant strip failure on quality shingles
• 70+ mph for missing shingles common
• 90+ mph for widespread damage

Step 5: Documentation

For each damaged area:

• Slope location (front/back/left/right + slope number)
• Photo with chalk marks
• Photo with measuring tape for scale
• Counted hit per 10×10 square
• Soft-metal corroboration photos

For wind damage: photo lifted/creased shingles in place, then close-up of broken sealant strip.

Step 6: Report

Standard insurance report should include:

• Storm date verification
• Roof age + manufacturer (shingle wrapper photo)
• Total roof area calculated
• Per-slope hit count
• Soft-metal corroboration
• Photo grid (each slope, each damage area)
• Recommendation: full replacement, partial replacement, or no claim

Step 7: Customer briefing

• Walk customer through findings
• Explain what insurance typically covers (replacement of damaged slopes; sometimes whole roof if 25%+ damaged)
• Explain you're NOT the adjuster; insurance decides
• Suggest filing claim if damage warrants
• Avoid making promises about insurance approval

Working with insurance adjusters

• They visit after you've inspected; you may be present
• Provide your findings in writing
• They make their own assessment; sometimes agrees, sometimes pushes back
• If denied, customer can request a re-inspection or independent appraisal
• Be helpful but don't argue; relationship matters

Statute of limitations + filing windows

• Most homeowner policies require claim filed within 1 year of storm
• Some states allow 2 years
• After window closes, claim is barred even if damage is real

Check your customer's policy + state statute.

Common mistakes

• Claiming non-storm damage: insurance adjusters catch this; reputation damage + denial
• Inflating hit count: caught by experienced adjusters; reputation
• Missing functional vs cosmetic distinction: functional damage = paid; cosmetic = sometimes not
• No soft-metal corroboration: weakens claim significantly
• No NOAA storm data: can't prove the storm happened
• Quoting before inspection: gives away leverage; inspect first

Cosmetic vs functional damage

Insurance pays for FUNCTIONAL damage (impacts shingle performance / lifespan).

• Functional: granule loss exposing mat, asphalt fracturing, dented soft metals (functional integrity)
• Cosmetic: granule discoloration without loss, surface scuffing, dent in fascia that's just appearance

Adjusters often try to call hail damage "cosmetic" to deny. Document with mat-exposure photos + measurement.

Safety notes

• Storm-damaged roofs are extra slippery (debris, displaced shingles)
• Never inspect during/after storms; wait for dry weather
• Watch for unstable shingles + decking
• Power lines: never closer than 10 ft

References

• HAAG Engineering inspection certification (industry standard)
• NRCA storm damage guidelines
• NOAA storm event database (free, public)
• Manuall internal: Residential Roof Inspection SOP, Diagnose + Repair a Roof Leak