5 Signs of hail damage homeowners miss

5 Hidden Signs of Hail Damage Every Homeowner Should Know

After a major storm rolls through Southeast Oklahoma or Northeast Texas, most homeowners step out into their front yard, look up at their roof, and if they don't see missing shingles, they assume they’re in the clear.

That assumption is a mistake that costs thousands.

Hail damage is rarely visible from the ground. It is "forensic" damage—small compromises in the shingle’s integrity that lead to leaks 6, 12, or 24 months down the road. Here are the 5 signs our team looks for during a professional inspection:

1. Loss of Protective Granules

Check your gutters and downspouts. If you see piles of what looks like coarse black sand, your shingles have lost their UV protection. Hail knocks these granules loose, exposing the asphalt mat to the sun, which causes the shingle to become brittle and crack.

2. The "Bruise"

Feel the shingle. A hail hit often creates a "bruise" that is soft to the touch, similar to a bruise on an apple. This indicates that the fiberglass mat underneath the asphalt has been fractured.

3. Circular Cracking

High-impact hail creates a circular "spiderweb" crack pattern. These are entry points for water that gravity will eventually pull into your decking and attic.

4. Metal Spatter Marks

We don't just look at shingles; we look at your "soft metals." Dents in lead boots, high-profile vents, and even your AC condenser fins provide a roadmap of the storm's severity and the direction of the wind.

5. Exposed Felt or Matting

In severe cases, the impact is so violent it strip away the asphalt entirely, leaving the underlying fabric exposed. This is a roofing emergency that requires immediate attention before the next rain.

Don’t Guess. Get a Professional Assessment.

Insurance adjusters are trained to look for specific damage markers, and if you don't know what to point out, you might get a "denied" letter. At Strawn Roofing & Construction Inc., we provide comprehensive inspections to ensure your home is restored to its pre-storm condition.