What Size Hail Damages a Roof

Hailstorms Can Cause A Range Of Roof Damage Depending On Hail Size, Roof Material, Age, And Impact Velocity; This Article Explains Which Hail Sizes Commonly Cause Damage, How To Recognize It, And What Steps To Take After A Storm.

Hail Diameter	Common Damage Potential
Pea To Marble (Under 1/2″)	Minor Shingle Surface Bruising; Rarely Structural
Nickel To Quarter (1/2″–1″)	Granule Loss, Bruises, Potential Asphalt Shingle Damage
Half Dollar To Ping-Pong Ball (1″–1.5″)	Obvious Shingle Damage, Dents On Metal, Skylight Cracks
Golf Ball To Hen Egg (1.75″–2.5″)	Significant Shingle Failure, Felt Damage, Possible Structural Harm
Baseball And Larger (2.75″+)	Severe Roof Penetration, Widespread Failure, Interior Leaks

How Hail Damages Roofs

Hail Damages Roofs Through Repeated High-Energy Impacts That Break, Dislodge, Or Compact Roofing Materials; Velocity And Mass Determine The Energy Transferred On Impact.

Impact Energy Depends On Hail Size And Fall Speed, which means that even moderately sized hail can damage older or brittle roofing while larger hail will damage most roof types.

Hail Size Chart And Damage Potential

Understanding Hail Diameter In Familiar Objects Helps Homeowners Gauge Risk; Meteorologists And Insurance Adjusters Often Use Object Comparisons For Reports.

• Pea To Marble (Under 1/2″): Typically causes superficial granule loss and minor cosmetic damage.
• Nickel To Quarter (1/2″–1″): Can bruise asphalt shingles and start granule shedding; metal flashing may dent.
• Half Dollar To Ping-Pong (1″–1.5″): Likely to produce visible shingle fractures, edge damage, and skylight chips.
• Golf Ball To Hen Egg (1.75″–2.5″): Often causes shingle mat or fiberglass mat exposure and can break roof vents or gutters.
• Baseball And Larger (2.75″+): Frequently causes punctures, tears, and widespread roof system failure with interior leaks.

Signs Of Hail Damage To Look For

Post-Storm Roof Inspections Should Search For Visible And Hidden Damage; Some Issues Develop Over Time Rather Than Immediately.

Common Visual Signs Include Granule Loss, Dents, Bruises, Cracked Shingles, And Exposed Fiberglass Mats. Look At Gutters For Granules And Check For Dented Flashing And HVAC Units.

Hidden Signs May Include Compromised Underlayment, Nailing Strip Damage, Or Microfractures In Shingles That Accelerate Aging.

Roof Materials And Their Vulnerability

Different Roofing Materials React Differently To Hail; Some Absorb Impact While Others Fracture Or Dent.

• Asphalt Shingles: Most common U.S. choice; vulnerable to bruising, granule loss, and cracking depending on age and quality.
• Metal Roofs: Resist Penetration But Dent Easily; paint and coatings may be compromised, leading to corrosion if untreated.
• Wood Shakes: Susceptible To Splitting And Chipping; repeated impacts shorten service life and raise fire risk if underlying layers are exposed.
• Slate And Tile: Hard And Dense So They Can Shatter Or Crack On Impact; localized replacement may be necessary after large-hail events.
• Rubber And TPO Membranes: Flexible Materials Can Withstand Small Hail But Can Be Punctured Or Abraded By Larger Stones.

Factors That Increase Hail Damage Risk

Several Variables Influence Whether A Given Hail Size Will Damage A Specific Roof.

• Roof Age And Condition: Older Shingles Are More Brittle And Less Impact-Resistant.
• Installation Quality: Poor Nailing Or Inadequate Underlayment Can Amplify Damage.
• Roof Slope And Orientation: Lower Slopes Receive More Direct Impact Effects And More Water Infiltration After Damage.
• Wind Speed And Direction: Wind Can Increase Impact Velocity And Drive Hail Under Flashings Or Into Eaves.

When To Inspect And Document Damage

Homeowners Should Inspect After Every Hailstorm That Produces Marble-Sized Or Larger Hail; Prompt Documentation Helps With Insurance Claims.

Photograph All Visible Damage, Collect Hail Size Evidence, And Note The Time And Weather Conditions. Check Gutters For Shingle Granules And Take Close-Ups Of Any Cracks Or Dents.

Professional Inspection And Roofing Contractor Tips

An Experienced Roofing Professional Uses Tools And Techniques To Detect Hidden Damage; This Can Include Infrared Scans, Core Sampling, And Ladder Inspections.

Contractors Will Assess Shingle Integrity, Underlayment Condition, Flashing, And Venting Components. Choose Licensed, Insured Contractors And Request A Written Assessment With Photographic Evidence.

Insurance Claims: What Size Hail Triggers Coverage

Most Standard Homeowners Policies Cover Hail Damage If It Is Sudden And Accidental; Coverage Is Policy-Dependent And Requires Proof Of Damage.

Policies Often Pay For Repair Or Replacement If The Damage Exceeds The Deductible; homeowners should report damage promptly, retain all documentation, and allow the insurer to schedule an adjuster inspection.

Beware Of Storm Chasers And Unscrupulous Contractors Who Pressure For Immediate Signatures; verify credentials before signing contracts.

Repair Options Based On Hail Size And Damage

Repair Strategies Vary From Localized Shingle Replacement To Full Roof Replacement; Cost And Longevity Depend On Extent Of Damage.

• Minor Damage (Under 1″ Hail): Replace Individual Shingles, Reseal Flashings, And Clean Gutters.
• Moderate Damage (1″–2″ Hail): Consider Partial Re-Roofing In Affected Areas; Inspect Underlayment And Venting.
• Severe Damage (Over 2″ Hail): Full Roof Replacement Is Often Recommended Due To Widespread Compromise.

Preventive Measures And Upgrades

While Hail Cannot Be Prevented, Certain Upgrades Can Reduce Vulnerability And Insurance Premiums.

• Upgrade To Impact-Resistant Shingles (Class 3 Or 4): These Are Engineered To Absorb Impact And Reduce Cracking.
• Install Reinforced Flashing, Metal Panels, Or Secondary Underlayment: These Add Layers Of Protection Against Penetration.
• Trim Trees And Secure Roof-Mounted Equipment: Prevent Secondary Damage From Falling Branches Or Dislodged Units.

When Roof Replacement Is Necessary

Replacement Is Recommended When Damage Is Widespread, Multiple Shingle Layers Are Compromised, Or The Roof Is Nearing The End Of Its Service Life.

Insurance Adjusters Often Compare Repair Cost Versus Replacement Cost; if repair approaches a significant portion of replacement expense, full replacement may be the prudent long-term decision.

Cost Considerations And Timeline

Repair And Replacement Costs Depend On Roof Size, Material, Labor Rates, And Permit Requirements; Timely Action Reduces Secondary Water Damage Costs.

Minor Repairs May Be Resolved Within Days, While Full Replacements Typically Take Several Days To Weeks, Considering Material Lead Times And Weather Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Size Hail Usually Causes Roof Leaks?

Hail Larger Than About 1″ Often Causes Visible Shingle Damage That Can Lead To Leaks If Left Unrepaired; However, older or poorly installed roofs can leak from smaller hail.

Can Hail Damage Be Hidden?

Yes; Microfractures In Shingles And Compromised Underlayment May Not Be Immediately Visible And Can Lead To Accelerated Deterioration And Leaks Over Months.

Are Impact-Rated Shingles Worth The Cost?

Impact-Rated Shingles Cost More Upfront But Offer Better Protection Against Hail And May Lower Insurance Premiums, Making Them Cost-Effective In Hail-Prone Regions.

Practical Next Steps After A Hailstorm

Homeowners Should Safely Photograph Damage, Collect Evidence Of Hail Size, Contact Their Insurance Company, And Schedule A Professional Roof Inspection.

Do Not Walk On A Wet Or Damaged Roof; instead, have a qualified inspector assess damage and provide a repair or replacement estimate with documented findings for the insurer.

Maintaining Records Of Repairs, Receipts, And Warranty Information Helps With Future Claims And Resale Value.