Hail bruising and impact damage
Hail damage is the defect people miss most often, because the roof looks intact from the pavement. What actually happens is impact bruising and micro-cracking that lets water in, then freeze-thaw finishes the job over the following winters.
What it looks like from above
- Small circular bruises or chipped spots spread across a slope, denser on the windward side
- Bare patches on felt or shingle where the protective granules have been knocked off
- Pitting and dimpling on lead flashings, soakers and valley linings
- Cracked or shattered rooflight covers and ridge vents
What happens if it's left
- Micro-cracks let water into the body of the tile, which then freezes and splits it
- Granule loss shortens the remaining life of a felt or shingle roof considerably
- Damage is easiest to evidence soon after the storm, and harder to attribute months later
How it's normally fixed
Replacement of individual bruised or cracked tiles, patching or overlaying damaged felt, and dressing or replacing dented lead. Where damage is widespread, insurers may cover a larger area of the slope.
Common questions
Will my insurer accept drone photographs of hail damage?
Insurers generally accept clear, date-stamped photographic evidence with a written description of each defect, which is exactly what our report provides. We supply the evidence; we do not handle the claim itself.
How soon after a hailstorm should the roof be inspected?
As soon as it is safe to fly. Fresh impact marks are far easier to identify, and most policies expect damage to be reported promptly.
Think you've got this on your roof?
We photograph every elevation, circle each defect and grade it by severity — £99 residential, £149 commercial, report within 24 hours.