After a hail storm sweeps through central Minnesota, your roof may have sustained more damage than you realize. Hail damage isn't always obvious — in fact, some of the most serious damage is invisible from the ground. Here are the five key signs to watch for and what to do if you spot them.
1. Dented or Bruised Shingles
This is the most common type of hail damage. When hail strikes asphalt shingles, it creates soft spots or "bruises" that you can feel by pressing on the shingle. These dents:
- May appear as dark spots or slight depressions on the shingle surface
- Feel soft or spongy when pressed (compared to the firm feel of undamaged shingles)
- Often have a random pattern across the roof — unlike foot traffic damage which follows a path
- Can number in the hundreds or thousands depending on storm severity
Why it matters: Even though bruised shingles may still look intact, the impact has cracked the fiberglass mat underneath. This compromises the shingle's waterproofing ability and dramatically shortens its lifespan.
2. Missing Granules
Granules are the small, sand-like particles that cover the surface of asphalt shingles. After a hail storm, look for:
- Dark patches on shingles where granules have been knocked off, exposing the black asphalt layer
- Granule buildup in gutters and downspouts — check your gutters for excessive granule accumulation
- Granules collected at the base of downspouts or in splash blocks
Why it matters: Granules are the shingle's first line of defense against UV radiation. Without them, the asphalt layer deteriorates rapidly — what would normally last 20+ years can fail within 5-10 years after significant granule loss.
3. Cracked or Split Shingles
Large hail or high-velocity hail can crack shingles on impact:
- Look for visible splits or fractures in the shingle surface
- Cracks may radiate outward from the impact point
- Edges of cracked shingles may begin to curl or lift
Why it matters: Cracked shingles are an immediate leak risk. Water can penetrate through the crack during the next rain, potentially causing damage to the roof deck and interior of your home.
4. Dented Metal Components
While shingles take the most damage, metal components on your roof are excellent hail damage indicators:
- Gutters and downspouts — look for small dents along exposed surfaces
- Flashing — check metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys
- Roof vents and exhaust caps — these soft aluminum components dent easily
- Satellite dishes and AC units — damage to these indicates your roof likely sustained damage too
Why it matters: Dented metal is easy to document and helps establish that a damaging hail event occurred — strengthening your insurance claim.
5. Damage to Other Parts of Your Property
If hail damaged other parts of your property, your roof almost certainly has damage too:
- Dented or chipped siding
- Cracked window screens
- Damaged outdoor furniture, grills, or vehicles
- Bruised or stripped tree leaves and branches
- Damage to wooden decks, fences, or pergolas
Why it matters: This "collateral damage" provides additional evidence for your insurance claim and confirms that a significant hail event impacted your property.
What to Do If You Spot Hail Damage
- Document what you can see from the ground — take photos and video of any visible damage to your roof, gutters, siding, and surrounding property
- Don't climb on the roof — it's dangerous, and walking on damaged shingles can cause additional damage
- Call a licensed roofing contractor for a free professional inspection — they'll get on the roof and document everything with detailed photos
- File your insurance claim with the professional documentation from your contractor
- Don't wait — hail damage worsens over time and you typically have one year to file in Minnesota
The Bottom Line
Hail damage is deceptive. A roof that looks fine from your driveway may have hundreds of impact points that are compromising its ability to protect your home. After any significant hail event in central Minnesota, a free professional inspection is the smartest thing you can do. It costs nothing, takes less than an hour, and could save you thousands in future repairs.