Storm and Hail Damage on Your Roof: What Lehigh Valley Homeowners Should Do First

Summer in the Lehigh Valley brings unpredictable weather. One afternoon is clear and sunny, and the next brings sudden, violent thunderstorms with high winds and hail. When a severe storm passes through, your roof takes the brunt of the impact.

If you suspect your roof has been damaged by wind or hail, the actions you take in the first 48 hours are critical for protecting your home and ensuring any necessary repairs are handled smoothly.

What Storm Damage Actually Looks Like

It is a common misconception that roof damage is always obvious. While missing shingles are easy to spot from the driveway, hail damage is often invisible to the untrained eye from ground level.

Hailstones vary in size, but even small, wind-driven hail can cause severe damage to asphalt shingles. When hail strikes a roof, it bruises the shingle, knocking away the protective granules and fracturing the fiberglass mat underneath. Over time, these bruised areas degrade, leading to leaks and premature roof failure.

Similarly, high winds do not always tear shingles completely off the roof. Wind can lift shingles just enough to break the adhesive seal. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), sealant strength is the critical factor in resisting wind damage, particularly after a shingle has already been weakened by hail impact. Once that seal is broken, wind-driven rain can easily penetrate the roof deck.

Spotting the Signs: Ground vs. Up Close

Your 4-Step Action Plan After a Storm

If a major storm has hit your neighborhood, follow these steps to protect your property.

1. Prioritize Safety

Never climb onto your roof after a storm to check for damage. The surface may be slippery, and structural damage could make it unsafe to walk on. Walk around the perimeter of your home and look for obvious signs: missing shingles, dented gutters, or damaged siding. Check your attic for active leaks or daylight showing through the roof boards.

2. Document the Damage

If it is safe to do so, take clear photos of any visible damage from the ground. Photograph shingles in your yard, dented downspouts, or water stains appearing on your interior ceilings. Documentation is helpful for your own records and for any potential insurance claims.

3. Prevent Further Water Intrusion

If you have an active leak, move furniture, lay down tarps, and place buckets to catch dripping water. If a large section of the roof is exposed, contact a professional roofing contractor immediately for emergency tarping services to prevent further interior water damage.

4. Schedule a Professional Inspection

Because the most severe storm damage is often invisible from the ground, you need a trained professional to assess the roof. A reputable local roofer will inspect the shingles, flashing, vents, and underlayment to determine the true extent of the damage.

A Note on Homeowners Insurance

Many homeowners wonder how insurance factors into storm damage. The Insurance Information Institute (III) notes that standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover roof damage resulting from sudden, covered perils, such as wind, hail, or falling trees.

If your roof has sustained verifiable storm damage, you have the right to file a claim. The process generally involves an inspection by your contractor, followed by an inspection by an insurance adjuster who will determine the scope of the covered loss. Keep in mind that age and condition matter: if your roof is older, your insurer may only cover it at its depreciated actual cash value (ACV) rather than the full replacement cost of a brand-new roof.

Disclaimer: Every insurance policy is different. We recommend reviewing your specific policy documents and speaking directly with your insurance agent to understand your coverage, deductibles, and the claims process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does hail damage look like on a roof?

From the ground, the clearest signs of hail damage are dents in your gutters, downspouts, or siding, and excessive shingle granules washing out of the downspouts onto the driveway. Up close, hail damage on the shingles themselves shows as circular bruising, exposed black asphalt where granules have been knocked away, and fractured fiberglass mats underneath. Because the shingle damage is usually invisible from the driveway, a trained roofer or inspector is almost always needed to confirm it.

Should I climb on my roof after a storm?

No. Never climb onto your roof after a storm to check for damage. The surface may be slippery, and structural damage from wind or impact could make it unsafe to walk on. Walk the perimeter of the house from the ground, look for missing shingles, dented gutters, and damaged siding, and check the attic for active leaks or daylight showing through the roof boards. Leave the actual roof inspection to a professional with the right safety gear.

I have hail damage on my roof in the Lehigh Valley, who do I contact for an insurance claim?

Before filing a homeowners insurance claim, have a reputable local roofer inspect the roof first. They can confirm whether the damage is genuine, document the affected areas with photos, and give you an honest read on whether a claim is worth filing. Then file with your insurer, who will send an adjuster to verify the scope of the covered loss. Valley Peak Roofing offers free post-storm inspections across the Lehigh Valley. Call (484) 602-6863 to schedule one.

Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to a roof?

Yes. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover roof damage from sudden, covered perils like wind, hail, and falling trees. The catch is age and condition: if your roof is older, your insurer may only cover it at its depreciated actual cash value (ACV) rather than the full replacement cost. Review your specific policy documents and speak with your insurance agent to understand your coverage, deductible, and whether you have ACV or replacement cost coverage on the roof.