Did that hail hurt my roof? A guide for Des Moines homeowners
Polk County recorded 171 hail events from 2015 to 2025, more than any other county in Iowa. Most homeowners here will deal with a hail roof at least once. Here's how to tell what happened to yours.
Clues you can check from the ground
You shouldn't climb onto a roof to look for hail damage, and you don't need to for a first read. Walk around the house and look at the softer things hail hits on the way down:
- Gutters and downspoutsRound dents, especially on the side facing the storm.
- Window wraps, vents and the AC unitDents in aluminum trim, dings on metal vents, flattened fins on the condenser.
- SidingCracks and holes in vinyl, spatter marks on painted surfaces.
- The ground below downspoutsA pile of shingle granules that wasn't there before.
- Cars, fences and decksIf your car or the neighbor's is dented, the roof took the same hits.
None of these prove roof damage, and their absence doesn't rule it out. They do tell you an inspection is worth it.
What hail does to shingles
A hailstone that hits hard enough knocks granules off the shingle and bruises the mat underneath. Fresh, the spot looks dark and shiny; pressed with a thumb, it feels soft, like a bruised apple. Over months, the bruise cracks, the asphalt dries in the sun, and that's when leaks start. That's why a hail roof can look fine from the street and leak a year later.
Around an inch, quarter size, is where asphalt shingles usually start to bruise. Older and brittle shingles can break with less. Wind matters too: hail driven sideways hits one or two slopes far harder than the rest.
The first 72 hours
- Take photos of hailstones next to a coin, dents on gutters and cars, and the date on your phone.
- If water is coming in, call for a tarp. Preventing further damage is expected by most policies.
- Schedule a free inspection within a few weeks while the damage is fresh.
- Find your declarations page and check your wind and hail deductible and your reporting deadline.
Storm chasers. After big hail, out-of-town crews knock on doors. Before signing anything, ask for proof of insurance, their Iowa Division of Labor registration, and a local address and phone number. Don't sign a contract that gives anyone authority over your claim.
Common questions
Can hail damage a roof without leaking right away?
Yes, and that's the usual case. Bruised shingles crack and leak months or a year later.
Do I need a roofer to file a claim?
No. You can file directly. A roofer's inspection helps you decide whether to file and gives you photos to support it.
Is all hail damage covered?
Coverage depends on your policy. Some policies treat cosmetic damage, especially on metal roofs, differently. Read the wind and hail section.
