5 Signs Your St. Louis Roof Sustained Hail Damage
After a hailstorm rolls through St. Louis, it's natural to walk outside, look up at your roof, and think — it looks fine from here. The problem is that hail damage to asphalt shingles is almost never visible from the ground with the naked eye. And every month you wait, your Missouri insurance claim window shrinks. Here are five signs that your roof needs a professional inspection immediately.
1. Circular Bruising on Shingles
Hail strikes leave circular impact marks on asphalt shingles where granules have been dislodged — similar in appearance to a bruise on an apple. The asphalt beneath becomes exposed and will accelerate aging and cracking. These marks can range from the size of a dime to a quarter or larger depending on hail diameter. Our inspectors use calibrated hail gauges and magnification tools to measure strike density per square foot — the metric that determines claim eligibility.
2. Dented Gutters and Downspouts
Your gutters don't lie. Aluminum gutters and downspouts show round impact dents from hail that are clean, measurable, and undeniable to insurance adjusters. If you see dents in your gutters, it means hail was large enough and dense enough to damage soft metal — which is almost always enough to damage your shingles as well. This is one of the first things our Pro-Package documents.
3. Granules in Your Gutters and Downspout Extensions
After a hailstorm, check your gutters and downspout discharge areas for a buildup of dark, sand-like granules. These are the protective UV coating of your shingles. Hail knocks them loose in large quantities. Some granule loss occurs naturally over time, but a sudden concentrated deposit following a storm is a clear indicator of hail damage. Excessive granule loss means your shingles are now vulnerable to UV degradation and early failure.
4. Damaged A/C Condenser Fins
Walk around to the side of your home and examine your outdoor A/C unit. The thin aluminum fins on the condenser coil are extremely sensitive to hail and will show visible denting from impacts. This is one of the most reliable indicators adjusters look for — it confirms both the presence and size of hail at your specific property. It's also a line item in your insurance claim. We photograph and document every A/C unit on every property we inspect.
5. Cracked or Split Ridge Caps and Vents
The ridge cap — the row of shingles running along the peak of your roof — takes direct hits from hail on a horizontal surface, making it especially vulnerable. Cracking, splitting, or displacement of ridge cap shingles is a strong sign of significant impact. Similarly, plastic roof vents often crack or shatter under golf-ball or larger hail. These are easy to miss from the ground but critical to document for a complete insurance claim scope.