How can I tell whether hail damaged my roof?
From the ground you cannot tell with certainty. Look for dents in gutters, vents and screens, granules in the downspouts, and dimples in soft metal. Those are signs hail was big enough to matter, but only a close inspection of the shingles shows whether the roof itself has bruises that need action.
Hail strikes leave a distinct pattern. On soft metal the dents are round and roughly the size of the stones. On shingles they appear as bare or darkened spots, and the surrounding granules may be loose.
Wear, blisters and foot traffic can make similar marks, which is why the roofer's job is to distinguish hits from other causes and not simply count dark spots.
How long do I have to act after a hailstorm?
Soon. Policies often set a deadline for filing a claim, and bruised shingles keep losing granules until a leak develops. There is no single deadline for everyone, so read your policy or ask your insurer how long you have, then book an inspection while the evidence is fresh.
Do not rush into a contract. A written inspection can come first, and the repair decision can come later.
Keep the date of the storm, the weather report if you can find one, and the photographs of dents on gutters and vents. The more specific the record, the easier the conversation with an insurer.
What is a test square, and why do roofers use one?
A test square is a marked area on a slope, commonly about ten feet by ten feet, in which the roofer counts every hail hit. Counting in a fixed area turns an impression into a comparable number, and it shows whether damage is scattered or dense enough to justify replacing the slope.
The method matters because hail does not fall evenly. One slope may be riddled while the opposite one has barely a mark, since wind drives the stones at an angle. A roofer who checks every slope separately, and records the count for each, gives you a picture you can follow and an insurer can check.
Ask to see the photographs of each square, with the hits marked in chalk. A report that says only 'hail damage found' without counts or pictures is a verdict, not a finding, and it will not stand up if anyone disagrees.
Will the roofer deal with my insurance company?
A roofer can supply photographs, a measured diagram and a written scope, and may be present when the adjuster inspects. The claim itself is between you and your insurer. Be cautious about anyone who offers to take over the claim or asks you to sign over your benefits.
Whether a claim is paid, and how much, is decided by your insurer under your policy. This line cannot predict the outcome and the roofer should not promise it.
The wind and hail guide lists the order of calls to make and the records worth keeping.
Is a repair enough, or will the whole slope be replaced?
It depends on how many hits there are and how brittle the shingles are. A handful of damaged shingles can be swapped, but dense bruising across a slope means that slope is usually replaced. The roofer's test-square count and written reasoning should explain the choice.
Matching is a practical issue. On older roofs, replacement shingles may not blend with the weathered ones, and a larger replacement may look better than a patchwork. That is a decision to make with the roofer, with the costs in front of you.
