Step 1 — Safety and Interior Protection
Do not walk a wet, hail-damaged, or wind-damaged roof. Handle the interior first: move belongings out of the affected area, contain active drips, and shut off power to any circuit near water intrusion. If there is a downed line or a gas smell, contact the utility or emergency services before anyone else.
Step 2 — Document the Damage
Photograph everything you can safely reach, including interior ceilings and walls, attic staining, gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding, and any collateral damage to vehicles or outbuildings. Record the storm date. Dated documentation is what makes a later claim or an owner conversation straightforward.
Step 3 — Temporary Protection
Active water intrusion should be temporarily protected before the permanent repair is scoped. Temporary measures limit interior damage and give you time to make a considered decision rather than signing with whoever knocked on the door first.
Step 4 — Get a Written Assessment
A real assessment covers the field shingles, ridge and hip caps, flashing, penetrations, vents, gutters, and the deck condition underneath — not just the visible spots. It should tell you whether the damage is repairable, whether it is localized to one slope, and what the underlying deck and underlayment look like.
- Impact bruising, granule loss, and mat fracture on field shingles
- Wind-lifted or creased shingles, especially along rakes and ridges
- Damaged or displaced flashing, vents, and pipe boots
- Gutter and fascia damage, which is often the clearest hail evidence
- Deck condition and any existing layers
Step 5 — Repair or Replace
Localized wind damage on an otherwise sound roof is often a repair. Widespread hail bruising, multiple aging layers, or a roof already near the end of its service life usually points to replacement. We write the scope either way and coordinate the roofing trade, related exterior repairs, and cleanup as one project.
A Note on Storm-Chasing Contractors
After a major hail event, out-of-area crews arrive quickly and leave just as quickly. Verify who is actually performing the work, who carries the warranty, and whether they will be reachable in two years when a flashing detail needs attention.