How to Spot Hail Damage

Published On:  August 3, 2026

Camco Roofing - Details
Camco Roofing - Steps a Facility Manager should take

Steps Facility Managers should take within 24 hours of roof damage:

1.  Safety is a Priority

  • Restrict access to the affected areas/roof leaks
  • Make sure to protect against electrical hazards 
  •  If necessary, shut off power or breakers to affected areas

If safety cannot be ensured, make sure to reach out to roofing professionals immediately and evacuate the area

 

2. Keep the damage contained and take measures to reduce further damage

 With safety steps completed, the facility managers next task is to contain and prevent further damage.

  •  Containers and buckets should be used to catch any water from the roof leak or damaged area
  •  Tarps can be used as a temporary solution to protect flooring and equipment from damage
  •  Office and other critical equipment should be moved away from the area where there is roof damage
  •  Once the steps above have been completed, getting the area dry as soon as possible to minimize mold should be the next priority.  Using fans and dehumidifiers will help get rid of the moisture.
  • If there is substantial water and the damage has been contained, a shop vac can be used to get rid of excess water on flooring or near walls.

 

3.   Take Photos and Document the damage

 For insurance purposes and to assist the roofing contractors, make sure to take good photos of the damaged areas prior to roof repair.

  • Make sure you have clear pictures and/or videos of the damaged roof or area where there is a leak
  • Document the time the issue was first noticed
  • If there were any adverse weather conditions such as hail, substantial snowfall, tornados, or other inclement weather make note of this
  • Log what actions the facility manager and staff took to minimize the damage

 

4.  Contact your Roofing Contractor 

With mitigation steps taken to reduce further damage, you should contact a trusted roofing professional as soon as possible for:

  • Emergency Leak Service
  • Temporary Repairs
  • Assessment of the damage to the roof 

 

 

 

 

 

How to spot hail damage on your roof

1. Set up a ladder to examine the roof top

2. Check metal flashings and metal vents first looking for obvious dents or marks caused by hail

3. Check shingles and/or roofing membranes for the following signs of hail:

  • Granule loss
  • cracks in the shingles
  • exposed or fractured fiberglass mat
  • dimples or tears in the roofing membrane  (TPO, EPDM, PVC)

4. Check for Membrane Damage (Flat Roofs)

Flat roof materials like TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin), EPDM (Rubber), and Modified Bitumen react differently to impacts than asphalt roofs

  • TPO and PVC: Look for "hail hits" that expose the reinforcing scrim (fabric) beneath the outer layer. Severe impacts can cause circular cracks
  • EPDM: Hail can cause splitting of the rubber or weakened seams
  • Modified Bitumen: Look for granules that have been dislodged

Does hail have to be large to cause damage to a roof?

 

Hail as small as 3/4 of an inch can cause damage under high winds. As the winds get heavier, more damage will occur.  When hail gets above 2 inches, extensive damages will occur to the roof and other property.  

 

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