Can 1 Inch Hail Cause Damage? How to Identify Hail Damage on Your Roof (With Pictures)

When you live in an area that experiences hailstorms, you already know that there’s not much you can do to PREVENT DAMAGE. Everything from your landscaping to your roof is fair game, so the real trick is knowing how to identify hail damage and discern it from other types of storm damage.

Hail can also cause auto hail damage, including visible dents, cracked glass, and scratches on vehicles. Protecting your car during hail storms by parking it in covered areas or using car covers can help mitigate these risks.

The damage that hail storms can cause will vary based on a number of factors, including the size of the hailstones. Larger hailstones, particularly those exceeding one inch in diameter, significantly increase the likelihood of roof damage, urging homeowners to take immediate action if they experience hail of this size.

The damage that hail storms can cause will vary based on a number of factors, including:

• The shape of the hailstones
• The size of the hailstones
• The wind speed and direction
• The condition of your existing roofing system
• When to seek out hail damage roof repair

We’ll cover all of that and more below, alongside hail damage roof photos so you know exactly what you’re in for. Read on to learn more about identifying hail damage on your roof.

Introduction to Roof Damage

Hail damage to a roof can be a significant problem for homeowners, causing costly repairs and potentially leading to further issues like leaks and structural damage. A hail storm can bring hailstones of various sizes, from pea-sized hail to larger hailstones that can wreak havoc on a roof.

Understanding the potential impact of hail damage is crucial for homeowners, as even small hailstones can compromise the integrity of a roof. In this section, we will explore the factors that affect roof damage from hail and provide guidance on assessing and addressing hail damage.

Everything You Need to Know About Hailstorms

Hailstorms can be an unsettling experience for any homeowner. The sudden onslaught of ice pellets raining down can leave you wondering about the state of your roof.

The most important thing you need to understand about hailstorms and the damage they cause to your roof is how these storms form and produce different outcomes. Hail forms in thunderstorms when atmospheric conditions, wind updrafts, and supercooled water droplets interact. Warm air rises and cools at high altitudes, where moisture freezes, contributing to the formation of hailstones.

Hail storms form when:

• Warm air rises to a level where condensation begins and precipitation develops during a thunderstorm. This is referred to as a thunderstorm updraft.
• At the same time the updraft occurs, a downdraft is also occurring, which is when cool air falls through the same path, causing the precipitation to cool to varying degrees.
• When the precipitation cools to the point of freezing, hailstorms are formed.
• From there, the hailstorms fall to the ground, hitting everything in their path. Wind speeds can significantly influence the severity of hail damage, as high winds can exacerbate the effects of even smaller hail sizes.

Of course, there’s a reason why not all hailstorms are the same. The reason is that hailstones can range from moderate to very dangerous depending on the following variables:

Hail impact on your roofing system can vary greatly based on the roofing materials used. Traditional materials like asphalt shingles and clay tiles are particularly vulnerable, especially as they age, leading to significant roof hail damage that may not be immediately visible.

1) The Overall Size of the Hailstones

Hailstones come in many different sizes, which means the severity of their impact on your roof will vary as well. 

Hailstone sizes are measured in inches, and they’re usually associated with certain objects for reference:

• ¼ inches: Pea size
• ½ inches: The size of a peanut or mothball
• ¾ inches: Penny size
• ⅞ inches: Nickel size
• 1 inch: Quarter size
• 1 ¼ inches: Half-dollar size
• 1 ½ inches: The size of a ping pong ball
• 1 ¾ inches: The size of a golf ball
• 2 inches: A lime or medium-sized egg
• 2 ½ inches: The size of a tennis ball
• 2 ¾ inches: The size of a baseball
• 3 inches: A large apple
• 4 inches: The size of a softball
• 4 ½ inches: A grapefruit
• More than 4 ½ inches: This would be considered “record size” and only occurs in certain states like Oklahoma and Texas

As you can imagine, the bigger the hailstone, the more severe the roof damage. However, smaller hailstones can still cause a considerable amount of damage to many different types of roofing materials. Since they’re lighter, they tend to have a more rapid velocity, traveling wherever the wind blows them, cracking or denting whatever they hit.

The larger hailstones are typically formed by clouds with a higher density. Not only are they formed bigger, but they pick up more speed as they fall, which is what makes them so dangerous. The size of hailstones, particularly those that are one inch in diameter or more, are more likely to cause significant damage to roofing materials.

Hailstones larger than ½ inch pose a risk, particularly sizes ranging from ¾ inch to 4 ½ inches, and hail 1 inch or larger is significant enough to warrant insurance claims. Golf ball size hail and quarter sized hail are especially concerning, as they can cause severe damage and should prompt immediate action, such as contacting an insurance company or seeking a roof inspection.

2) The Shape of the Hailstones

Hailstones are also not perfectly round ice spheres, although they would appear that way. They vary in shape and often crystalize, forming jagged edges across their surface, which are only visible when you examine them up close. 

These jagged edges are part of what causes the real roof damage, as they can easily pierce or scratch everything from your asphalt shingles, gutters, siding, windows, and much more.

3) Wind Speed and Direction

Wind speed and direction are other factors that contribute to hail damage roof issues.

• The wind’s speed will determine how fast the hailstones will travel through the air
• Wind direction determines which path the hailstones will take

The severity of damage from hail is significantly influenced by accompanying high wind speeds, which can exacerbate the effects of even smaller hail sizes. Every two- to four-inch hailstone will have an estimated speed and impact rating of 44 to 72 miles per hour. Therefore, when you combine these two variables with the size and shape of the hailstones, you could be looking at severe damage to your roof and property.

Top Factors that Affect Roof Damage

Several factors can affect the extent of roof damage from a hail storm, including the size of the hailstones, wind speed, and the type of roofing material used. For example, asphalt shingles are more prone to damage from hail than metal roofs.

The age and condition of the roof can also play a role, as older roofs may be more susceptible to significant damage. Additionally, the direction and speed of the wind can influence the impact of hailstones on the roof, with high winds potentially causing more severe damage. Understanding these factors can help homeowners better prepare for and respond to hailstorms.

What Hail Damage to Roof Systems Look Like

Surprisingly, hail damage is naturally very specific. There are two types of roof hail damage: cosmetic and functional.

More severe damage affects the roof’s ability to keep water out, leading to leaks and other issues. Meanwhile, minor dents and dings don’t necessarily compromise the roof’s functionality. Here’s a wider view at these two types of damage that can affect your roof after a hailstorm.

• Broken or fractured roof shingles. In most cases, severe hailstorms — the storms that involve half dollar, ping pong, or golf ball-sized hailstones —will cause your shingles to fracture or break. You can expect to find that many of the shingles are completely broken, with pieces all over the ground and in your gutters. It’s also important to note that as your roof ages, it becomes more susceptible to damage. Therefore, an older roof’s shingles may break or fracture even during less significant hailstorms.
• Shingles that have visible cracks running along their surface. Quarter and nickel-sized hailstones can easily cause cracks in your shingles. The important thing to keep in mind here, of course, is that these cracks can run deep into the body of your shingles. Deep cracks will cause your shingles to eventually break off and expose the waterproof underlayment and roof deck beneath them. Even surface-level cracks will also change both the appearance and performance of your shingles over time.
• Missing granules, dents, holes, and other impact marks. Dents and Impacts marks are usually the first indicators of hail damage to your roof. Dents and marks typically appear when smaller hailstones hit the surface of your roof at high speeds, which means you’ll see tiny dents all over your roof versus one isolated area. You may also see impact marks and larger dents near the top of your air conditioning vent, roof flashing, and chimney. You’ll also see impact marks on the rest of your home and property, specifically on your windows and vinyl siding.

Shingle damage can vary in severity and may require professional roof inspection to determine the necessary repairs. Identifying possible roof damage is crucial, as visible signs of damage could indicate the need for contacting insurance companies to file claims.

It is crucial to enlist a professional roof inspection to assess potential hail damage, especially when damage may not be easily visible to an untrained individual.

Classifying Hail Roof Damage

Another very important part of understanding and identifying hail damage to your roof is learning how your homeowners insurance company will classify it.

After a homeowner suspects roof damage, their insurance company may send an insurance adjuster to inspect the damage. This inspection is crucial in determining whether the claim will be approved or denied.

There are two ways in which homeowners insurance companies classify hail damage:

• Functional damage. Hail damage to your roof will be classified as “functional” when it directly affects the performance of your roof and its overall structure. For example, if your asphalt shingles or flashing are visibly lifted, torn, or broken, then the damage will be considered functional as it can affect your roofing system’s ability to keep your home safe.
• Cosmetic damage. Hail damage is classified as cosmetic when the damage only affects the surface of your roof or the exterior of your home. This would essentially include small dents and scratches, which won’t necessarily keep your roof from performing as it should.

When there’s only cosmetic damage to your roof, your insurance company will likely deny any roof damage claims for repairs or a total roof replacement. However, cosmetic hail damage should not be ignored as it can contribute to your roof’s deterioration over time. 

If your roof has sustained cosmetic hail damage, you’ll need to:

• Get in touch with a professional roofer to schedule an inspection immediately
• Document the hail damage as best as you can to keep for your own records. That way, if another severe storm rolls through, you have evidence of previous hail damage that lead to your roof becoming more vulnerable to damage
• Schedule any necessary repairs as directed by your roofing contractor to maintain your roof’s integrity  

Assessing Roof Damage from Pea-Sized Hail

Pea-sized hail may seem harmless, but it can still cause damage to a roof, especially if the hail storm is accompanied by strong winds. Assessing damage from pea-sized hail requires a professional roof inspection, as the damage may not be immediately noticeable.

A professional roofing contractor can inspect the roof for signs of damage, such as dents, cracks, and granule loss, and provide guidance on necessary repairs. It’s essential to address hail damage promptly to prevent further issues, such as leaks and structural damage.

Even minor damage can escalate if left unattended, so timely intervention is key.

Additional Components of Roof Hail Damage

Metal Components

• Dents in Flashing and Gutters: Check the metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents. Dents and dings in these areas are a clear indication of hail impact.
• Damaged Vents and Exhaust Caps: Metal vents and exhaust caps can also show signs of dents, indicating that your roof has been hit hard.

Roof Vents and Skylights

• Cracked or Broken Skylights: Inspect skylights for any cracks or breaks in the glass or plastic. Even minor cracks can lead to leaks.
• Damaged Vent Covers: Vent covers made of plastic or metal can also be cracked or dented by hail.

Other Indicators

• Siding and Windows: While not directly part of the roof, damage to siding and windows can also indicate that your roof has been hit by hail.
• Outdoor Furniture and Decking: Check for hail damage on outdoor furniture, decks, and patios. This can give you a clue about the severity of the storm.

Preventative Measures for Your Roofing System

While you can’t prevent hailstorms, you can take steps to minimize potential damage:

• Install Impact-Resistant Shingles: These shingles are designed to withstand hail impact better than standard shingles.
• Regular Maintenance: Keep your roof in good condition with regular inspections and maintenance.
• Trim Overhanging Branches: Branches can break off during a storm and cause additional damage to your roof.

Taking Care of Hail Storm Damage to Your Roof

In most cases, the hail damage done to your roof by a hailstorm can be easily repaired. However, if the damage is significant, you may end up needing a complete or partial roof replacement. Understanding the insurance claim process for securing a new roof is crucial, as it can help you navigate the steps required to replace a hail-damaged roof.

That’s why the first thing you want to do is call a local and reliable roofing contractor to come to your home and evaluate the extent of the damage. A trustworthy roofer will always provide you with a free initial inspection as well as a detailed report and an accurate estimate.

The expert team at Palladium Roofing offers quick and thorough storm damage services. 

GET IN TOUCH WITH US right away if you notice hail damage to your roof or require any other type of roofing services.