Top 4 Signs of Hail Damage Beyond Your Roof
When hailstorms hit, most homeowners immediately check their roofs, but some of the most expensive damage hides elsewhere. Through our Haag Certification, we’ve learned exactly what to look for, and we’re able to walk your property alongside the insurance adjuster to identify hidden hail damage.
In this article, we discuss the top four dangers we keep an eye out for when inspecting a home after a hail storm, focusing especially on those you can find just from a basic walkthrough. If you can identify these things for yourself, you’ll always be on top of potential risks to your property’s health, allowing you to solve problems before they spiral out of control and cost you big.
Quick Answer
The top indicators of hail impact include:
- Torn or punctured window screens: small holes, fraying, or dents.
- Dents or cracks around window frames: chipped paint, broken seals, or warped vinyl and metal edges.
- Chipped, cracked, or shattered siding: round divots, bruising, or missing pieces across large areas.
- Dented gutters and downspouts: small impact marks or divots along the top or sides that disrupt water flow.
If you notice any of these after a storm, it’s best to schedule a professional inspection. Our Haag-Certified inspectors know how to identify and document these signs, helping you catch issues early and streamline your insurance claim.
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1. Tears or Punctures in Window Screens
Hailstones rarely fall straight down; rather, they often strike at an angle, which makes window screens one of the first parts of your home to show visible signs of impact. You might notice small circular dents, frayed mesh, or even full punctures where hailstones broke through the screen.
In some cases, the damage is subtle and only noticeable when light hits the surface just right. Even if the window glass or frame appears unharmed, compromised screens are a strong early indicator of a hail event. They can also affect airflow and allow insects or debris into your home if left unrepaired.
During an inspection, we carefully examine all screened areas, especially those facing the direction of the storm, in order to document any consistent impact patterns that help verify storm damage for insurance claims.
Did You Know?
A Haag Certification is a professional credential earned through specialized training from the Haag Engineering Company, a nationally recognized authority in storm damage assessment. Contractors with this certification are trained to accurately identify hail and wind damage to roofing, siding, and windows.
2. Impact Marks in Windows & Frames
Naturally, hail doesn’t always shatter glass, but that doesn’t mean your windows escaped unscathed. Even smaller hailstones can chip paint or crack weather seals. Plus, larger hailstones can leave visible dents in the metal and vinyl framing that surrounds each window without effecting the glass itself.
In this video, Baker quality control expert Jose Figuero explains why leaks often show up around bay windows, additions, and tie-ins, as well as what to do when you spot them.
These marks may look cosmetic at first, but they can gradually lead to more serious issues like water intrusion and reduced insulation performance. Over time, they can also increase your energy bills during extreme temperatures because of cold draft or heat infiltration. It’s safe to say, a hail-damaged window is hardly worth having!
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Baker Home Exteriors offers window repair, replacement, and installation services throughout North and South Carolina. Our local team of experts can give you an honest quote on your repair work.
3. Cracks and Chips in Siding
Vinyl siding hail damage is a particularly major problem due to the material’s rigidity and surface exposure. Hailstones can leave behind chips or small, round divots in the panels. Plus, in severe storms, they may even shatter sections completely. Note that some marks of vinyl siding hail damage can blend in, especially on textured or darker-colored materials.
We also see frequent issues with hail damage to wood siding or fiber cement siding. They can show subtle bruising beneath the paint layer, surface chipping, or areas where the finish has worn away.
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When assessing siding after a storm, we look for consistent impact patterns across large wall sections rather than isolated spots. This helps confirm whether the damage is truly hail-related, since hail usually falls more-or-less uniformly. This also ensures you have the proper documentation for a potential insurance claim.
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Baker Home Exteriors also offers repair, replacement, and installation for vinyl and fiber cement siding throughout the Carolinas. If you see a problem, our expert siding installation teams can come take a look.
4. Dents or Divots on Gutters and Downspouts
After a storm, it’s common to find small dents or divots on the outward-facing sides of your gutters or along the top where hailstones struck directly from above. Aluminum systems tend to show these signs most clearly because of their flexibility, though even heavier-gauge materials like copper can sustain visible dimpling under severe conditions.
Beyond appearance, hail damage to downspouts and gutters can affect how effectively your drainage system performs. Dents or misalignments can restrict water flow, leading to overflow near your foundation or fascia boards, both of which can cause costly water damage over time.
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The Baker Home Exteriors team has experience installing and repairing all types of gutter systems, including copper and aluminum. If you’re dealing with hail damage to downspouts or gutters in North or South Carolina, check out our services below.
Storm Hail Damage and Insurance: What You Need to Know
When it comes to filing an insurance claim for hail damage, documentation is everything. Insurance companies need clear proof that any exterior damage was caused by a specific storm rather than by age or normal wear.
A few isolated marks in one corner of your home typically won’t meet that standard. Instead, adjusters look for consistent patterns of damage across multiple areas of your property. To review, common indicators of legitimate hail impact include:
- Dents or divots on gutters, downspouts, and metal trim
- Cracked or chipped siding, especially on north- or west-facing walls that bear the brunt of storms
- Torn or punctured window screens, often in a uniform pattern
- Paint loss or seal damage around windows and frames
- Bruising or shattering on vinyl, fiber cement, or wood materials
When these patterns appear across several surfaces, they form a clear picture of storm-related damage that insurers recognize as legitimate.
If you suspect your windows, screens, siding, or roof were damaged in a storm but you’re not sure, you can start with this article about what hail damage looks like. It has helpful pictures to show you what to look for.
Frequently Asked questions (FAQs)
It’s hard to pin down an exact number, because there’s a massive range of variation between simple fixes like window resealing and major projects like gutter replacement. The most common type of hail damage repair is to roofing, and that usually costs around $940.
You can expect other repair projects for siding, windows, or gutters to exceed or fall short of this figure based on how easy it is to access the repair site and how complex the needed repairs are. Of course, the best way to know is to schedule a professional inspection for an accurate estimate.
Small cosmetic damage can sometimes be patched or painted over, but most hail impacts (especially to siding, gutters, or windows) require professional repair or replacement. A Haag-Certified inspector can assess the damage, document it for insurance, and ensure the work restores your home’s appearance and protection.
Most insurance providers allow you to file a hail damage claim within one year of the storm, though policies vary and can have timeframes as short as 30 days. It’s best to start the process as soon as possible to prevent further damage and ensure your claim remains valid.
Hail damage often appears as round dents or chips on siding and gutters, and tears or punctures in window screens. You may also see paint loss, broken seals, or deformed framing around windows. Consistent marks across several areas of your home are a strong sign of hail impact in the eyes of insurance adjusters.
Most homeowners insurance covers storm-related damage, paying the entire cost (once you meet your deductible) of repairs or replacement of affected materials. However, it’s possible that you may have a separate, higher deductible specifically for wind and hail damage, usually calculated as a percentage of your home’s value. An inspection and detailed documentation from a Haag-Certified professional help ensure you receive the full amount your policy allows.
Final Thoughts
Hailstorms can leave behind far more than just roof damage. The sooner you address hail damage to your siding, windows, or gutters, the better you can protect your home from long-term issues like leaks or energy loss.
Of course, a professional inspection is the best way to uncover hidden damage and ensure your insurance claim is handled properly. At Baker Home Exteriors, our Haag-Certified experts know exactly what to look for and how to document it for your adjuster.
Contact Us for a Free Inspection After a Storm
Even if you’re not sure your home is suffering from hail damage, it’s worth getting a professional opinion. And with Baker Home Exteriors, that inspection is 100% free. So, if you live in North or South Carolina, take advantage of our 110+ years of experience and reach out today.
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