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Hail damage

Hail damage roof Florida: how to spot it and what to do

Hail damage on a Florida roof shows up as bruised or granule-bare shingles, cracked tile, or dented metal and vents. Hail is less common here than in the Plains, but hail of about 1 inch or larger can damage a roof. A roofer's photo inspection confirms it.

By Josh Hildebrand, owner of Coastline Roofing · Florida license CCC1331076 ·

Hail is not common on the Gulf Coast, but when it falls, it can hurt a roof quietly. Here is what to look for, from the ground.

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The short version

Does hail damage roofs in Florida?

Yes, but less often than in the Plains. Florida has the most thunderstorms, and a storm with hail of about 1 inch or larger can hurt shingles, tile and metal.

The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) says Florida has the most thunderstorms of any state, but Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming usually have the most hailstorms. That area, called hail alley, averages seven to nine hail days a year. Florida roofs see far fewer.

NSSL defines severe hail as hail the size of a quarter, which is 1 inch across, or larger. Smaller hail falls below that line. IBHS says a stone's energy depends on its weight, size and speed, so bigger stones carry more.

This guide covers what hail does to each roof type, how to look for it without climbing up, and when to call a roofer.

Common hail sizes and how fast they fall (NSSL)
Hail sizeAbout how bigEstimated fall speed
Pea1/4 inchUnder 25 mph
Penny3/4 inchUnder 25 mph
Quarter (severe)1 inch25 to 40 mph
Ping-pong ball1 1/2 inches25 to 40 mph
Golf ball1 3/4 inches25 to 40 mph
Tennis ball2 1/2 inches44 to 72 mph

Think hail hit your roof?

Coastline inspects the roof surface and sends a written photo report, with drone photos on tile roofs, so you see each spot instead of guessing. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).

Call (941) 896-7793 or text your town and a photo.

By roof type

What does hail do to shingles, tile and metal?

The same hailstone does different things to different roofs.

Asphalt shingles

IBHS says hail can dent, breach or knock granules off asphalt shingles. Severe damage can let water in, and how bad it gets varies by product and hail size. IBHS groups damage into three kinds: dents or ridges, granule loss, and tears, cracks or ruptures.

Tile roofs

IBHS says large hail can crack or shatter tile. The tile industry brief that FRSA reprints lists large hailstones as a common cause of broken tile. Cracks can be thin and easy to miss from the ground.

Metal roofs

IBHS says hail dents metal roofs, but so far there is no evidence that dents change how the roof works. A dent is a look issue unless the panel is punctured, a seam is opened or the paint coating cracks.

Wind-driven hail

NSSL says wind-driven hail can tear siding, break windows and blow into houses. Hail that comes in sideways can hit walls, windows and the vertical parts of a roof, not just the flat surface.

Wet areas that start slowly

Hail can break the granule layer on a shingle without any leak that day. IBHS notes that ultraviolet light degrades asphalt, so a spot that has lost its granules is exposed to the sun.

Roofs that were already old

IBHS says asphalt sealant weakens after about 7 to 10 years and shingles show age through granule loss, blistering and curling. Older roofs often show hail damage first and worst.

How to look

How do you spot hail damage on a roof in Florida?

Look from the ground for granules in gutters, dented metal and cracked tile. Then have a roofer check the roof surface for bruises.

You do not need to climb up to get clues. In fact, you should not. OSHA lists falls among the most common causes of serious work injuries and deaths, and walking on some roofs, tile in particular, can cause damage. The Florida Division of Emergency Management's guide warns against walking on a tile roof, because it can break bonds or crack tiles. Use these steps.

  1. Walk the yard and look at the roof

    Use binoculars. Look for cracked or missing tile, shingles with dark, round spots, and dented vents or flashing.

  2. Check the gutters and downspout outlets

    A pile of granules, which look like coarse black sand, can mean the shingles are losing their surface. Our granules in the gutters guide explains when that is normal wear and when it is not.

  3. Look at the metal around the house

    Dented gutters, vent caps and metal roof panels can show that hail passed through.

  4. Look from inside

    Check ceilings for new stains and look into the attic for daylight or damp insulation. See brown ceiling stains for what to check.

  5. Get a roofer to inspect the surface

    A roofer can find bruises you cannot see from the yard, and can tell hail from blisters or normal wear. Coastline sends a written photo report, with drone photos on tile roofs.

A dark spot where granules are gone is not always hail. Age, blistering and foot traffic can look similar. That is why a written, photographed inspection beats guessing. Our guides on roof blisters and shingle curling show what else can look like hail.

What to do

What should I do if I think hail hit my roof?

Take photos from the ground, cover any opening, and get a roofer to inspect before the next storm.

First, safety: stay off the roof and out of any wet attic with exposed wiring. If rain is coming in, a tarp keeps it out. Coastline does temporary repairs and tarps, and our emergency tarping page explains how.

Second, get an inspection. A written photo report shows each spot, where it is, and what it needs. Our storm damage repair service covers that, and the roof inspection cost guide explains what an inspection covers.

Third, plan the repair or replacement. A few cracked tiles or a few bruised shingles on a roof in good shape are usually repaired. A roof with widespread granule loss, many cracked tiles or damage on every slope may be better replaced. See roof repair and roof replacement, and the repair cost guide.

If you are thinking about stronger roofing, IBHS says impact-resistant shingles use a scrim backing or polymer-modified asphalt. Products are tested with UL 2218 (a steel ball) or FM 4473 (an ice ball) in Classes 1 to 4 for 1.25 to 2 inch stones. Read more in Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in Florida.

Your insurer and your policy decide what is covered. This is general information, not legal advice.

Ask to see every spot

If someone says you have hail damage, ask for photos of each spot and where it is on the roof. A good report shows you, not just tells you.

Reviews

What homeowners say about working with Coastline

★★★★★
"Josh was very thorough diagnosing a hard-to-find leak on a tile roof, after 2 other roofing companies tried but failed to catch the problem. ... Great work at a fair price, great service."
Mark R.Leak repair, tile roof
★★★★★
"Loved how Josh used his drone to identify cracked and slipped roof tiles and sent us the photos. Photos also taken of completed work."
Felicity K.Tile roof inspection
★★★★★
"They did a good job on the repair so I would definitely recommend them."
Duke H.Roof repair, Florida Gulf Coast
Keep reading

Related guides

Storm Damage Repair

Repairs after hail, wind, lightning and fallen limbs.

See storm damage repair →

Hidden Storm Damage on Your Roof

What a storm can do that you cannot see from the ground.

Read the guide →

Roof Repair Cost in Florida

What sets the price of a roof repair.

Read the cost guide →

Also see granules in the gutters and Class 4 impact-resistant shingles.

FAQ

More questions

How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?

NSSL calls hail severe at about 1 inch across. IBHS notes that how much harm a stone does depends on its size, weight and speed, and that damage varies by roof product. IBHS says asphalt sealant weakens after roughly 7 to 10 years, so older roofs may be more vulnerable.

Do dents in a metal roof mean it is damaged?

Not always. IBHS says hail dents metal roofs, but there is no evidence so far that dents affect how the roof works. Cracked coating, opened seams or punctures are different, and a roofer should check them.

Can hail damage be hidden?

Yes. A bruise on a shingle can look like normal wear, and a crack in tile can be thin. IBHS lists granule loss as one damage mode, and granules in the gutters can be a clue. A roofer who photographs each spot can tell hail from age.

Is hail common in Manatee and Sarasota counties?

Hail is not common. NSSL says the most hailstorms are in the Plains, not Florida. When it happens here, it is usually brief and local. We do not have a local hail count to give you, so ask a roofer for photos of each spot before you accept any diagnosis.

Should I replace my roof after hail?

Only if the damage calls for it. A few damaged spots on a roof in good shape are usually repaired. Widespread damage on an old roof can tip toward replacement. The inspection should show where the damage is and how much of the roof it covers.

Sources

  1. NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory: Severe Weather 101, Hail
  2. IBHS: Hail research and hail impact-resistant shingle ratings
  3. IBHS: Natural Weathering and Hazard Exposure
  4. IBHS: Roof 101, roof cover test standards and hail damage modes
  5. FRSA reprint of a TRI Alliance technical brief: Post-Storm Event, Repairing Damaged Concrete and Clay Roofing Tiles (November 2022)
  6. Florida Division of Emergency Management: Hurricane Retrofit Guide, tile roofs
  7. OSHA: Fall Protection

Find out what the hail did before the next storm

Coastline sends a written photo report that shows each spot and what it needs, so you can decide with facts.

Call (941) 896-7793 Text (941) 345-0072
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