Utah gets hit with hail more than most people realize. The Wasatch Front — from Ogden down through Provo — sits right in a corridor that sees significant hailstorms every spring and summer. We had some doozies in recent years that left a trail of damaged roofs across the valley.
The tricky thing about hail damage is that it’s not always obvious. After a big storm with golf-ball-sized hail, sure — you’ll see dents in your gutters and siding, maybe cracked shingles. But most hail damage is subtler than that, and that’s actually worse because it goes unnoticed.
Here’s what hail does to asphalt shingles: it bruises them. The impact knocks the protective granules loose, even if it doesn’t crack the shingle. Those granules are what protect the asphalt from UV rays. Once they’re gone, the exposed asphalt starts deteriorating fast. A shingle that should have lasted another 15 years might start failing in 3-5.
What to look for after a hailstorm:
Check your gutters and downspouts. If you see a bunch of granules — more than the normal light dusting — that’s a sign. Look at any soft metals on your roof (vent caps, flashings). If they’re dented, your shingles probably got hit too. Check window screens and outdoor AC units. Hail hits everything at the same angle, so damage on those surfaces usually means damage on the roof.
From the ground, you probably won’t see much. Hail bruises on shingles are nearly invisible from 20 feet away. That’s why a hands-on inspection — walking the roof and feeling for soft spots — is the only reliable way to assess the damage.
Here’s the important part: most homeowner’s insurance policies cover hail damage. But you typically need to file within a certain window after the storm. If you wait two years and then notice a leak, your claim is going to be a lot harder to get approved.
Our recommendation: after any significant hailstorm (anything quarter-sized or bigger), get a free inspection. If there’s no damage, great — you have peace of mind. If there is damage, you’ve caught it early enough to file a claim and get it fixed before it turns into a leak.
We handle the insurance paperwork too. We’ve walked hundreds of Utah homeowners through the hail claim process, and we know what adjusters need to see to approve a claim. It’s what we do.
Ready to get your roof inspected? Call V3 Roofing at (385) 900-4618 for a FREE estimate.
