What should a roof inspection after a hail storm include?
Short answer. A thorough inspection after hail covers every slope of the roof up close, the soft metals like vents, flashing and gutters, the siding, windows and outdoor equipment, and the attic, with dated photos of each finding. Schedule it soon after the storm, before filing if you are unsure, so you know what you have and can report promptly.
What the inspector should check
- Shingles on every slope: impact marks with granule loss, bruised or fractured mat and broken edges, compared across slopes facing different directions.
- Test areas: many inspectors and adjusters count hits inside a marked area on each slope to judge how widespread the damage is.
- Soft metals: dents on roof vents, pipe flashing, ridge vents, drip edge and chimney caps help confirm hail size and direction.
- Gutters and downspouts.
- Siding, window screens and trim, painted surfaces, fences and air conditioner fins.
- Attic: new leaks or daylight.
What you should receive
- Dated photos, both wide shots and marked close-ups.
- A slope-by-slope summary of findings.
- The storm date believed to have caused the damage, with supporting storm data.
- A plain statement if damage is minor or absent.
Timing
Inspect within days to a few weeks. Policies require prompt notice, granule evidence washes away, and later storms can muddy which event caused what. Check hail reports for your zip code on the North Georgia Hail Map.
For storm patterns, see Georgia hail season and what to expect from a roof inspection; for the claim steps, the after a hail storm checklist.