What you can check from the ground
Wait until the storm has passed. Stay away from hanging branches, downed wires and loose building materials. Use binoculars from stable ground rather than a ladder. Look for new missing shingles, torn ridge pieces or unusual bare patches.
Dents on downspouts, metal trim or outdoor equipment can support your storm record. They do not prove that your roof needs replacement. Photograph the whole object and a closer view so a later inspection has context.
Look at gutters and downspout outlets
From the ground, check whether gutters are bent or separated. Look for new accumulations of loose granules near downspout outlets. Some granule loss happens as shingles age, and a heavy rain can wash out old material. It is a reason to inspect, not a diagnosis.
Do not climb to scoop a high gutter after a storm. If debris is reachable safely at ground level, photograph it before cleaning. Save photos of any hailstones beside a ruler when you can do so without going outside during hail.
What hail size can damage shingles?
Hail around one inch across, roughly quarter size, can damage asphalt shingles. There is no safe cutoff. Wind speed, impact angle, roof temperature and shingle age all matter. Smaller hail can harm a worn roof, while another roof may show little damage from a similar storm.
Bruising in the shingle mat may be hard to see in a phone photo. A dent in a metal vent is not the same as a fractured shingle. Ask the inspector to distinguish surface marks from damage that affects the roof system.
Document early without changing the evidence
Record the storm date and when you first noticed the problem. Photograph ceilings, walls and possessions if water got inside. Keep original image files. Local weather reports can help establish timing, but do not replace evidence from your own property.
Check your policy reporting deadline rather than relying on a deadline someone else quotes. Weathering, another storm or an undocumented repair can make the sequence harder to explain. Early records help you describe what happened without guessing.
Choose your next step
An active leak needs protective action before the next rain. Contact a roofer about temporary work and your insurer about reporting requirements. Keep emergency invoices and before-and-after photos. Do not delay necessary safety measures just to wait for an adjuster.
For a dry roof, request a documented inspection. Read the findings and scope before deciding on repairs or a claim. Your insurer decides coverage under your policy. Neighbors receiving new roofs does not mean your roof has the same damage or coverage.
Common questions
Do granules in the gutter prove hail damage?
No. Aging and normal weathering also release granules. New heavy accumulation after hail is a reason for a closer inspection.
Can I inspect hail damage from a ladder?
Stay on the ground. A damaged or wet roof is unsafe, and close inspection is better left to a roofer.
Does quarter-size hail always mean replacement?
No. About one-inch hail can damage shingles, but condition, wind and impact vary. Inspection determines the repair scope; your policy determines coverage.