Hail is one of the most common reasons we replace roofs in Birmingham. Spring storms can roll through with little warning, and a few minutes of hail can shorten the life of a roof by years. The tricky part is that hail damage is often hard to see from the ground. This guide explains how hail harms each type of roof, how we inspect for it, how the insurance process works and what you can do to protect your home from the next storm.
If a storm just passed and you are not sure where to start, read our step-by-step guide on what to do after a storm damages your roof. This article goes deeper on hail itself.
Understanding Hail Damage in Birmingham
Hail comes in many sizes, from pea-sized pellets to stones bigger than a golf ball. Even smaller hail can damage a roof when it is driven by strong wind. Because Birmingham sees hail most years, many roofs here have been hit more than once without the owner knowing it.
On asphalt shingles, hail knocks off granules, the small colored grains on top of each shingle that block the sun. Without those granules, the shingle bakes in the heat and wears out faster. A hard hit can also bruise the shingle, which means it cracks the mat inside even when the surface looks fine. On metal roofs, hail leaves dents and can chip the protective coating. On tile roofs, it can crack or break tiles and open a path for water.
The real danger is what happens later. A bruised shingle may not leak today, but it can start leaking months down the road after the summer heat and heavy rain have worked on it. By then, many people have missed their window to file an insurance claim.
The Process of Hail Damage Assessment
When we inspect a roof after a hail storm, we start on the ground. We look at gutters, downspouts, window screens, air conditioning units and fences for fresh dents or dings. Those soft metals show hail hits clearly, and they help us judge the size of the hail that fell at your home.
Next, we get on the roof and check each slope. We look for round dark spots where granules were knocked off, soft spots that feel bruised when pressed, cracked shingles and dents in the flashing. Flashing is the thin metal that seals the joints around chimneys, vents and walls. We also check the attic for signs of water coming in through the decking, which is the wood layer under your shingles.
We take clear photos of every problem we find and mark where it is on the roof. That record matters, because it shows exactly what we saw and where. You can schedule a free roof inspection in Birmingham any time you think hail may have hit your home.
Filing Insurance Claims for Hail Damage
If we find real hail damage, the next step is usually an insurance claim. Most homeowner policies cover hail damage, but every policy is a little different. Before you call your insurance company, it helps to have our photos and inspection notes in hand so you can describe the damage clearly.
When you file, give the date of the storm and a short description of what you found. The insurance company will then send an adjuster, the person who inspects the damage and decides what the policy will pay. Be sure to ask about your deductible and any deadline for filing, because both vary from policy to policy.
For a full walk-through of the paperwork, see our guide on how to file a roof insurance claim after storm damage.
Capstone Roofing’s Role in Your Insurance Claim
Insurance claims can be confusing, especially if you have never filed one before. We help by doing the parts that require a roofer’s eye. We document the damage with photos and notes, and we meet the adjuster at your home so all of the damage we found gets looked at.
Adjusters see many roofs, and small bruises or damaged flashing are easy to miss. Having someone there who has already walked your roof helps make sure the adjuster’s report is complete. If the adjuster and our findings do not match, we can explain what we saw and help you understand your options for asking for a second look.
We also help you read through the estimate from your insurance company so you know what is covered before any work begins. You can learn more on our insurance claims page.
Repairing Hail Damage: Capstone Roofing’s Services
Some hail damage can be repaired, and some cannot. If only a few shingles were hit on a fairly new roof, a repair may be all you need. But when hail has bruised shingles across the whole roof, patching usually does not last, because the damaged shingles will keep wearing out faster than the rest.
When a full replacement makes more sense, we tear off the old roof and check the decking for rot or soft spots. Every replacement includes five sheets of decking at no charge, and we take photos and get your permission before doing any extra work. Most homes are finished in 1 to 2 days, and we sweep the yard and driveway with magnets to pick up stray nails before we leave.
We are certified with both GAF and CertainTeed, so we can offer their extended manufacturer warranties. On top of that, every roof comes with at least a 5-year workmanship warranty, with 10-year and lifetime options. Visit our roof repair page or our roof replacement page to learn more.
Preventative Measures
You cannot stop hail from falling, but you can make your roof better able to handle it. The first step is regular inspections. A quick check each spring and after any big storm helps us catch small problems before they turn into leaks.
Keep your gutters clean so water drains away from the roof during heavy rain. Trim tree limbs that hang over the house, since storms can drop them on your roof. And if you notice granules piling up at the bottom of a downspout, call us to take a look.
Long-Term Solutions
If you are replacing your roof anyway, it is a good time to think about hail. Impact-resistant shingles are built to take harder hits than standard shingles, and some insurance companies offer discounts for them. Ask your agent whether your policy does.
Metal roofing is another option. Hail can dent metal, but it rarely punches through, and a standing seam metal roof can last 50 years or more. Good attic ventilation also helps any roof last longer, because it keeps heat and moisture from cooking the shingles from below. Asphalt shingle roofs in our area typically last 15 to 20 years, and both hail and poor ventilation can cut that short.
Why Waiting Costs More
We once worked with a customer who had a small leak and decided to wait a year before fixing it. During that year, material costs rose almost 15 percent, and the water did more damage under the roof. By the time we did the work, the job cost much more than it would have the year before. With hail, the same thing can happen, and waiting too long can also mean missing your insurance deadline.
Hail Damage at a Glance
| Roofing material | How hail damages it | Signs to look for | When to consider replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Knocks off granules and bruises the shingle | Round dark spots, granules in gutters | Bruising spread across the roof, or an older roof |
| Metal roofing | Dents the panels and can chip the coating | Dents you can see or feel | Dents that hold water or expose bare metal |
| Tile (clay or concrete) | Cracks or chips tiles | Broken tiles, hairline cracks | Many cracked tiles or exposed underlayment |
| Wood shake | Splits the wood | Fresh splits and impact marks | Splits that expose the layer underneath |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Alabama?
It depends on your policy. Insurance companies set their own deadlines, and some are shorter than people expect. Check your policy or call your agent to confirm your deadline, and get your roof inspected as soon as you can after a storm so you have the photos you need.
Can hail damage be repaired instead of replaced?
Yes, when the damage is limited to a small area on a newer roof. When hail has damaged shingles across most of the roof, or the roof was already near the end of its life, replacement is usually the better choice. We will show you photos and explain why we recommend one or the other.
What if my insurance adjuster and my roofer disagree?
This happens. You can ask your insurance company for a second inspection and have your roofer there to point out the damage. If you still disagree, your policy likely explains a process for settling it. We can walk you through what we found and what your next steps might be.
Does hail damage void my roof warranty?
Manufacturer warranties usually do not cover hail, since hail is weather damage and not a product defect. That is what homeowners insurance is for. However, a poor repair with the wrong materials can affect your warranty, so it matters who does the work. When we repair or replace a hail-damaged roof, we install it to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Get a Hail Damage Inspection
Capstone Roofing is a family-owned roofer that has served Birmingham since 2013, and we are licensed and insured in both Alabama and Louisiana. If hail hit your neighborhood, we will inspect your roof for free, document what we find and help with your insurance claim if you need one. Call (205) 453-1803 in Birmingham or (504) 302-0204 in the New Orleans area, or schedule your free inspection online.