What Hail Does to a House
Hail rarely breaks a roof outright. It bruises it. Each hit can knock granules off a shingle, crack the mat underneath and leave a spot that wears out years early, long before it leaks. Hail also dents metal vents, flashing and eavestroughs and cracks or punches holes in vinyl siding. Damage is often invisible from the ground, which is why a proper inspection includes the roof, every elevation of the house and the soft metals. Dented eavestroughs, vents, flashing and window trim are often the clearest evidence of a storm, because soft metals show the size and direction of the hail. The photo shows hail marks on shingles beside a dented metal roof vent in Calgary.
- Bruised shingles and lost granules
- Cracked or holed vinyl siding
- Dented vents, flashing and eavestroughs
- Damage invisible from the ground
- Early wear that shortens roof life
- Insurance claim support
Roofs
Hail Damage on Shingle Roofs
On shingles, hail damage shows as dark, round spots where granules are missing, soft or bruised areas, cracked shingles and granules collecting in the gutters. The shingle may look fine from the ground and still be damaged. We check each slope, the ridge and hips, and the vents and flashing, and we note how many hits there are in a test area. Roofs with widespread hail damage usually need replacement, while limited damage can sometimes be repaired. The photo shows hail-bruised asphalt shingles on a Calgary roof found during an inspection. See our roof replacement and roof repair pages for what each involves.
- Granule loss and bruising checked
- Test areas counted on each slope
- Vents and flashing inspected
- Repair or replacement recommended
Siding
Hail Damage on Siding
Vinyl siding is brittle in the cold and hail cracks it, chips it or punches small holes through it. A cracked panel lets water behind the siding, where it can soak the sheathing without showing. We inspect every wall, especially the sides that face the prevailing storms, and replace panels that are cracked or holed. The photo shows a vinyl siding panel cracked by hail on a Calgary home. If many panels are damaged, replacing the siding may be the better repair, and our siding pages explain how that works. Our siding replacement and siding repair pages explain both options.
- Cracked and holed panels found
- Damage photographed wall by wall
- Water behind siding checked
- Panels replaced or full siding recommended
The Inspection
How We Inspect for Hail Damage
A hail inspection starts on the ground and moves to the roof. We walk the property, look at the siding, eavestroughs and soft metals, then go on the roof if it is safe. We photograph the damage, measure and mark test areas, and write down what we find. The photo shows a measuring tape held against vinyl siding panels during a hail inspection in Calgary. You get an honest answer, including when the damage is minor or when your roof does not need work.
- Ground and roof inspection
- Test areas counted and photographed
- Measurements recorded
- Plain-language findings
Hail damage is often invisible from the ground. These signs mean it is worth an inspection.
Do You Have Hail Damage? What to Look For
On the roof and in the gutters:
Dark, round spots where granules are missing
Soft or bruised areas on shingles
Granules collecting in the eavestroughs
Dented vents and flashing
On the siding and around the house:
Cracked, chipped or holed siding panels
Dents in eavestroughs and downspouts
Dented window trim and garage doors
Damage on one side that faces the storm
Think Hail Hit Your Home?
Send the date of the storm and a photo or two, and we will call you back to book an inspection.
How a Hail Insurance Claim Works
Document and Protect
Photograph the damage and any water coming in. Make temporary repairs that stop further damage, and keep your receipts.
Report the Claim
Call your insurer soon after the storm and ask about your hail deductible, since some policies carry a separate one.
Inspection and Estimate
The insurer sends an adjuster. We inspect the roof and siding and give you a detailed estimate and photos that show what we found.
Repairs After Approval
Once the claim is approved, we repair or replace what was damaged and the work is checked against the estimate.
What Hail Does to a Roof Over Time
Granule Loss
Granules protect the asphalt from UV. Where hail knocks them off, the shingle ages faster and can fail years early.
Cracked Mats
A hit hard enough to bruise the fibreglass mat weakens the shingle, so it can crack later in a cold snap or a wind.
Leaks Come Later
The first sign is often a ceiling stain months afterwards, after water has worked through a damaged shingle.
Lost Claim Time
Waiting to inspect can make a claim harder to prove. Look soon after a storm, while the evidence is fresh.
Hail Season in Calgary
When Hail Hits
Calgary's hail season runs through the summer, with the heaviest storms often in June, July and August.
Right After a Storm
Check for water coming in, photograph damage from the ground and take cover from further storms before climbing anywhere.
Within Days
Book an inspection. A roofer can see damage you cannot, and a report supports your claim.
Before Winter
Fix storm damage before snow arrives so water and ice do not make a small problem into a large one.
From the first look to the last shingle.
What Hail Damage Repair Involves
Spot Repairs
A few damaged shingles or siding panels can be replaced individually, matched to your existing roof and siding.
Full Roof Replacement
When hail damage is widespread, the roof is replaced with new underlayment, shingles, ridge caps and vents, as described on our roof replacement page.
Siding Replacement
If many panels are cracked, replacing a wall or the whole house can be better than patching, and it is a chance to add foam insulation.
Eavestroughs and Soft Metals
Dented eavestroughs, downspouts and flashing are replaced where they leak, fail or are included in the claim.
Why Call Blueprint After Hail
Roof, Siding and Eavestroughs
We repair all three, so one inspection covers everything hail touched.
Photo Documentation
Every inspection is photographed, which helps your claim and shows you exactly what we found.
Questions About a Claim?
Send the size, what it is for and a photo of the area, and we will call you back.
Book a Hail Inspection
Frequently Asked Questions About Hail Damage
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Q. Will my insurance go up if I claim hail damage?
It depends on your insurer and your policy. Hail is a weather event, not a fault claim, but insurers treat claims differently. Ask your insurer how a hail claim would affect your premium and what your hail deductible is before you decide.
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Q. How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
Look for dark spots where granules are missing, bruised or soft shingles, granules in the eavestroughs and dents in vents and flashing. Damage is often invisible from the ground, so an inspection is the only way to be sure.
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Q. Should I get an inspection before I call my insurer?
It helps. A roofer's photos and report show what hail did and give you something specific to bring to the adjuster. Report the claim promptly either way, because policies have time limits.
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Q. Does insurance cover siding and eavestroughs as well as the roof?
Home policies generally cover hail damage to the roof, siding and eavestroughs, subject to your deductible and policy terms. Check your policy, and we will document all three.
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Q. What is a hail deductible?
Some Alberta policies carry a separate, higher deductible for hail, sometimes a percentage of the insured value. Ask your insurer so you know what you would pay before a claim is paid.
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Q. Can hail damage be repaired, or does the roof need replacing?
Limited damage on a few shingles can sometimes be repaired. If hail damage is widespread across the slopes, replacing the roof is usually the better repair. We tell you which applies after the inspection.
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Q. How soon after a hailstorm should I get an inspection?
As soon as it is safe, ideally within days. Evidence is fresher, temporary repairs are easier, and you are more likely to catch damage before it leaks.
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Q. Do you work with insurance adjusters?
Yes. We document the damage, give you a detailed estimate and are available to talk with your adjuster. You stay in charge of the claim. See our insurance damage repair page for hail, wind, fire and water claims.
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Q. Is it worth fixing hail damage if it is not leaking?
Usually yes. Damaged shingles wear out early, and fixing them while the claim is open costs you less than paying for a failed roof later.
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Q. Is a hail inspection free?
Yes. We offer free roof inspections in Calgary. We look at the roof, siding and eavestroughs, take photos and tell you plainly whether there is hail damage and what it would take to fix it, with no obligation. Our roof inspection page explains what we check.
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Q. Can hail damage cause leaks months later?
Yes. A bruised shingle can look fine and then crack or wear through months later, so the first sign may be a ceiling stain after the next rain or snowmelt. That is why inspecting soon after a storm matters, even when nothing is leaking.
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Q. How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
Hail around 25 millimetres (about an inch) across and larger can damage asphalt shingles, and smaller hail can crack vinyl siding in cold weather. Wind-driven hail, and hail on older shingles, does more damage than the size alone suggests.
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Q. Can I claim for hail damage from an earlier storm?
Possibly. Policies have time limits for reporting, and an inspection can help show which storm caused the damage. Check your policy and report as soon as you find damage, rather than waiting.
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Q. Do you repair hail damage on cars?
No. We work on homes and buildings: roofs, siding and eavestroughs. For vehicle dents, look for a paintless dent repair shop.
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Q. Which areas do you serve?
We inspect and repair hail damage across Calgary and in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks, and in the areas between.