Wind and hail cause more roof damage in Birmingham than any other weather event. We know this because we field the calls every time a significant storm moves through. Most homeowners see the storm on the news, look up at the roof from the driveway, don’t see any obvious damage, and figure they’re fine. That’s often not accurate.
Here’s what wind and hail actually do to a roof, and what to do about it.
What Hail Does to a Roof
Hail damage to asphalt shingles isn’t usually dramatic. You rarely see holes or obvious destruction. What you see—when you know what to look for—is impact bruising: soft, roughly circular depressions in the shingle mat where the granule layer has been compressed or dislodged. The granules that protect the shingle from UV and weathering are now in your gutters instead of on your roof.
That bruising accelerates the timeline of everything. A shingle that might have lasted another 8–10 years now shows degradation in 2–3. What would have been a manageable repair situation becomes a full replacement conversation sooner than expected.
On metal roofing, hail leaves visible dents. On tile, it cracks. These are more obvious but the principle is the same: any hail impact reduces the weather resistance of the material it strikes.
What Wind Does to a Roof
Wind damage is more varied than hail. High winds don’t need to tear shingles completely off to cause significant damage. They can:
- Lift shingle edges—Once the adhesive seal strip between shingles breaks, the shingle can lift and flex with every subsequent wind event. Water gets underneath on the next rain.
- Separate flashing—The flashing at chimneys, skylights, and roof edges is particularly vulnerable to wind. A lifted flashing that looks minor is an active leak path.
- Drive debris impact—Branches, shingles from neighboring homes, and other debris become projectiles in high winds and can puncture or dislodge roofing material.
- Stress the entire deck—Extreme wind events can stress the connections between the deck and rafters, causing movement that loosens nails across the roof surface.
How to Assess Your Roof After a Storm
From the ground: look for missing shingles (obvious), check gutters for granule accumulation (hail indicator), and look at any exposed metal surfaces (AC unit caps, flashings, gutters) for impact marks. Dents on metal surfaces you can see from the ground almost always mean corresponding damage to the shingles above.
From the roof (or via a professional): bruising on shingles, lifted edges that don’t lie flat, separated flashing, cracked pipe boots, and soft spots in the decking are what a thorough inspection catches.
We do post-storm roof inspections across Birmingham. If a significant storm came through your area, call us before you decide there’s nothing to look at.
Hail Size and the Damage It Causes
| Hail size | Approximate diameter | Typical damage to asphalt shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Pea | 1/4” | Minimal—granule displacement, usually not claim-worthy |
| Marble | 1/2” | Visible granule loss; bruising on softer shingles |
| Dime | 3/4” | Clear impact bruising; mat damage beginning |
| Quarter | 1” | Significant granule loss; mat compression; claim-worthy in most cases |
| Half dollar | 1.25” | Severe mat damage; likely full replacement warranted |
| Golf ball | 1.75” | Puncture risk on older shingles; full replacement almost certain |
What to Do After a Storm in Birmingham
What to Do After a Storm in Birmingham
First: don’t climb up there yourself. Damaged roofs are more dangerous than intact ones, and the risk of personal injury isn’t worth it when a professional inspection costs nothing.
Second: call a licensed local roofing contractor before calling your insurance company. Get an independent assessment of what’s actually there before you decide whether to file. We’ll tell you honestly whether you have a legitimate claim, and we’ll document it properly if you do.
Third: be cautious of contractors who show up at your door unannounced. Storm chasers follow weather events into affected areas and not all of them do quality work. A contractor with a local address and a license number you can verify is the safer call. We’re based in Birmingham and we’ve been here for over 10 years.
If wind or hail just came through your neighborhood, call us at (205) 453-1803 or schedule an inspection online. We also help our customers navigate the insurance process with their adjuster when a claim is warranted. Roof repair for storm damage is one of the most common jobs we do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after a hail storm should I file a claim?
Most insurers require claims to be filed within 30–90 days of the event. Sooner is better—both for documentation purposes and because follow-on storms can add damage that complicates distinguishing what happened when. Get an inspection within a few days of the storm event.
Does hail damage always require a full roof replacement?
Not always. If damage is localized and the roof is relatively young, repair may be appropriate. If damage is widespread across the roof surface or the roof is already aging, replacement is usually the better financial decision. We give you an honest assessment, not a default recommendation of the most expensive option.
My neighbor got a full replacement after the storm—why did my adjuster only approve repairs?
Adjuster assessments vary based on roof age, shingle condition before the storm, and how the adjuster interprets the damage. If you believe the assessment is incomplete, you have the right to request a re-inspection and to have a licensed contractor present during that inspection. We can be on-site with your adjuster to make sure nothing is overlooked.
What wind speed damages a roof?
Most standard asphalt shingles are rated for winds up to 110–130 mph. In practice, damage can occur at lower sustained speeds when combined with gusts, if the shingles are aging, or if the original installation nailing pattern wasn’t correct. Birmingham severe thunderstorms regularly produce gusts in the 60–80 mph range, which is enough to lift improperly sealed or aging shingles.
