Hail Alerts: How to Identify and Prevent Roof Damage - A Practical Guide from JHL ROOF
May 13, 2025
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Hail Alerts: How to Identify and Prevent Roof Damage - A Practical Guide from JHL ROOF
Every year between March and July, North India and other parts of the world are frequently hit by severe hailstorms. As the first line of defense for any home, the roof often bears the brunt of the damage. As a global leader in premium roofing systems, JHL ROOF reminds homeowners and builders that early detection of hail damage and taking appropriate action are critical to protecting property and peace of mind.
Hailstorms pose a significant threat to roofs, and the damage caused can result in costly repairs. To help homeowners prepare and respond, JHL ROOF has released the Roof Hail Damage Identification and Response Guide, which provides practical tips from ground inspection to insurance claims.
1. External Signs of Roof Damage After Hail
Dents or Scratches: Check for circular dents or soft spots on asphalt shingles. A spongy feel may indicate damage to the padding underneath. JHL ROOF's Stone Coated Metal Tiles are highly impact resistant to minimize this type of damage.
Missing Granules: If a significant amount of granules are missing, revealing the black substrate underneath, the shingle's protective coating may have been compromised.
Cracked or Split Shingles: Particularly on aged or brittle shingles, hail impact can cause visible cracks.
Dent Metal Parts: Look for dents on vents, gutters, flashing, and other roof accessories-this is often a telltale sign of hail impact.
2. Don't miss clues on the ground
Particles in gutters or downspouts: A sudden accumulation of particles after a storm indicates significant wear and tear on the roof surface.
Dents in outdoor equipment: Check air conditioners, curtain panels, or metal siding for visible hail marks-these can be signs of roof damage, even if it's not visible from underneath.
3. Hail Damage by Roofing Material Type
Asphalt Shingles: Look for missing granules, soft bruises and cracks.
Wood Shingles: Check for splits or sharp punctures.
Metal Roofs: Look for dents and peeling coatings. JHL ROOF's Stone Coated Steel Shingles use advanced aluminum-zinc technology and a protective stone coating to outperform traditional metal roofs in terms of hail protection.
Tile/Slate Roofs: Look for chips, cracks or broken corners.
4. When to call a roofing professional
If the roof is too dangerous to access or the damage is unclear.
If your insurance company requires a certified inspection report.
If there is water damage or leaks in the home after a storm.
5. How to fill out insurance claim paperwork
Take clear photos and videos of all visible damage: tiles, gutters, roof accessories, etc.
Record the date the hailstorm hit and keep a copy of your repair budget.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible - some policies have strict claim deadlines.
6. Common Misconceptions
"Small hail does not cause damage": Even hail as small as 0.5 inches can wear down roofing materials over time.
"No leaks = no damage": Hidden damage may not show a leak immediately, but can worsen over months, leading to costly repairs later.
JHL ROOF Roofs - Built for Extreme Weather
JHL ROOF's stone-coated metal roofing system features multiple layers of impact resistance to provide top-tier protection against hail, heavy rain, and corrosion. With a 50-year global warranty, our roofing solutions deliver long-term value and peace of mind.