How Do I Know If My Roof Has Hail Damage in Colorado Springs?
The short answer is that you most likely cannot tell from the ground. Hail damage on asphalt shingles shows up as granule loss, bruising, and small fractures that are only visible from the roof surface, and most homeowners miss it entirely. Many insurance adjusters miss it, too, which is exactly why having a trusted roofing contractor in Colorado Springs, CO, do a thorough post-storm inspection is worth the call.
Here is what to look for after a storm, what the signs actually mean, and when to bring in a professional.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on a Roof
On asphalt shingles, hail impact leaves specific signs. The most common is granule loss, where the small mineral particles embedded in the shingle surface get knocked loose on impact, leaving dark circular spots where the mat underneath is exposed.
You may also see bruising, which is a soft spot where the underlying fiberglass mat has fractured without visibly cracking the surface. Press a thumb gently into a suspected impact area. If it feels softer than the surrounding shingle, that is bruising.
On metal components such as gutters, downspouts, ridge caps, vent covers, and AC units, hail leaves circular dents that are much easier to spot. If you can see denting on your gutters from the ground, there is almost certainly damage on the roof surface as well.
What You Cannot See From the Driveway
A roof can look intact from street level and still have hundreds of hail impacts across the field that have compromised its weather resistance and shortened its remaining lifespan. Granule loss is not visible from 20 feet below. Bruising is not visible from 20 feet below.
Damage to the underlayment or the decking beneath the shingles is not visible at all without close inspection from the roof surface. This is the gap that costs homeowners money.
A neighbor getting a new roof while yours was passed over does not mean your roof escaped damage. It often means the insurer’s adjuster on your block and the adjuster on your neighbor’s block applied different standards to the same storm event.
Where to Start After a Hailstorm in Colorado Springs
Check the exterior from ground level first. Look at your gutters, downspouts, and any exposed metal for visible denting. Check window screens for torn or pitted mesh. Look at painted wood surfaces for spatter marks. These are easier to assess from below and give a first read on how intense the storm was at your property.
Do not go on the roof yourself. Wet or recently impacted shingles are slippery, and a DIY assessment does not produce the documented evidence needed when seeking roof insurance claim help.
Take photos of any visible damage before anything is cleaned up. Then call for a professional inspection before opening a claim with your insurer.
Why You Should Get an Independent Inspection Before Calling Your Insurer
Your insurer will send its own adjuster to assess the damage. That adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. Their documentation of what they find becomes the baseline for the entire claim.
Getting an independent inspection first gives you your own documented record of the damage before the insurer’s adjuster sets the scope. If their adjuster misses items, you have the evidence to challenge it from the start.
At The Rich Co Inc. our licensed adjusters inspect the full roof surface, not just what is visible from the driveway. Rich Lawson has 14 years of experience as a licensed insurance adjuster and 30 years in the construction trades. He knows how insurers document damage and where they routinely undercount it. Our inspection is free, with no obligation to proceed.
What Happens If Your Insurer Says There Is No Damage
This is the situation we specifically handle. When an insurer’s adjuster says there is no hail damage, but your neighbors are getting new roofs, the claim is not necessarily closed.
A denial or a low estimate is a starting point, not a final answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hail damage a roof that looks fine from the ground?
Yes. Granule loss and shingle bruising are only visible on close inspection from the roof surface. A roof that appears intact from street level may have hundreds of hail impacts that have compromised its weather resistance. An in-person inspection is the only reliable way to assess this.
How soon after a storm should we get a roof inspection?
As soon as possible. Most insurance policies require claims to be filed within one to two years of the damage event, but waiting increases the risk of secondary damage from unaddressed issues. We offer free post-storm inspections and can document damage before conditions worsen.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes. Our inspection is free and carries no obligation. If we find covered damage, we walk you through what was found and what the claim process looks like. You decide whether to proceed.
Our insurer already said there is no damage. Is a second opinion worth getting?
Yes. Insurance adjusters work for the insurer and may miss or minimize damage. Our licensed adjusters can inspect your property independently and file a supplemental claim if covered damage was overlooked. Call (719) 287-5385 to schedule.
Contact Us
Your home deserves quality work done right the first time. At The Rich Co Inc., we’re here to help with everything from roofing and gutters to windows, siding, and interior upgrades every step of the way.
Phone: +1 (719) 287-5385
Website: https://therichcoinc.com/
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