What does hail damage on a roof look like?

November 4, 2026 · Chad Kestner · C Squared Properties Solution, MN License BC809568

Short answer: Hail leaves round, dark spots on shingles where the granules were knocked off, often soft to the touch like a bruise, plus dents in vents, gutters, siding and garage doors. An inspector circles each hit in chalk and counts the hits inside a test square on every slope, the same way an insurance adjuster does.

Hail hit on an asphalt shingle, circled in yellow chalk during a roof inspection

After a storm most roofs look fine from the driveway. Hail damage shows up on the roof itself, up close, and on the softer metal and vinyl around the house. Here is what we look for, with photos from a hail inspection and roof replacement on a home in New Munich this summer.

What hail hits look like on shingles

A hail strike knocks the granules off the shingle and leaves a round, dark spot. Press on it and it can feel soft, like a bruise on an apple, because the mat underneath is fractured. Older, brittle shingles can crack outright. The hits are random: they do not line up with foot traffic, and they show up on every slope that faced the storm.

How an inspector counts the damage

We circle every hit we find in chalk, then lay out a test square on each slope, usually 10 by 10 feet, and count the hits inside it. The count is written on the roof next to the slope it belongs to, so the photos show exactly what was found and where. Insurance adjusters use the same method.

Test square on a shingle roof slope with the hail hit count written in blue chalk — The test square on the front slope, with its hail hit count written on the shingles.

Check the rest of the house too

Hail that bruises shingles usually leaves marks elsewhere: dents in roof vents and flashing, gutters and downspouts, dings or cracks in vinyl siding, and dents in garage doors and window trim. These are easier to see from the ground, and they are often the first sign that the roof needs a closer look.

Dent in a vinyl siding panel from hail — A hail dent in the vinyl siding on the same house.

Hail dent on a white garage door panel marked with blue chalk — Hail dents on the garage door, marked during the inspection.

What happens when the roof is replaced

On this home the inspection was at the end of July and the new roof was on in late September. The old shingles came off, and the new roof went on with new flashing at the chimney and a new ridge vent along the peak. Every stage is photographed, so the homeowner and the insurance company can see what went on under the shingles.

New metal flashing around a brick chimney on a new shingle roof — New flashing where the roof meets the chimney.

New shingle roof with a ridge vent along the peak — The finished roof, with a new ridge vent along the peak.

Should you call your insurance company first?

Get an inspection first. Hail is uneven, and a neighbor's new roof does not mean yours is damaged. Our inspections are free and come with photos. If there is damage, we help you through the claim. For more on when a roof needs repair and when it needs replacing, read Should I repair or replace my roof in Minnesota?

Frequently asked questions

What does hail damage look like on shingles?

Round, dark spots where the granules were knocked off, often soft to the touch like a bruise, and cracked shingles on older roofs. The hits are random and show up on every slope that faced the storm.

Can you see hail damage from the ground?

Usually not on the shingles. Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, siding and garage doors are easier to spot, and they are a good reason to have the roof checked up close.

How is hail damage measured on a roof?

The inspector circles each hit in chalk and counts the hits inside a test square, usually 10 by 10 feet, on each slope. Insurance adjusters use the same method.

Is a hail damage inspection free?

Yes. C Squared roof inspections are free and come with photos of what we found.

What did the hail damage look like on the New Munich home in this post?

Round, dark bruises where the granules were knocked off, counted in chalk inside a test square on each slope, plus dents in the vinyl siding and the garage door. The inspection was at the end of July and the new roof was on in late September.

Talk to C Squared about your property

Free estimates across Watertown, the west metro and Wright County.

Request an estimate Call 952-236-0398