Hail Damage Roof Inspection in Murfreesboro
What hail actually does to a shingle, how it gets documented, and why most of it is invisible from the driveway.
Free inspection · Test-square documentation
What Hail Does to an Asphalt Shingle
An asphalt shingle is three things stacked: a fiberglass mat for structure, asphalt for waterproofing, and ceramic granules on top that shield the asphalt from ultraviolet light. That granule layer is the only thing standing between the sun and the material that actually keeps water out.
When a hailstone hits hard enough, two things happen at once. The granules at the impact point are driven off, and the fiberglass mat underneath fractures. Neither creates an immediate hole. What it creates is a spot where UV now reaches bare asphalt, which dries out, becomes brittle, and cracks — typically over the following one to four years.
This is why hail damage is so frequently missed and so frequently disputed. There is no leak on day one. The roof looks fine. The damage is a shortened lifespan that only becomes visible after the claim window has closed.
Hail size and what it typically damages
| Size | Comparison | Typical Damage |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75″ | Penny | Soft metals dent; damage to aged shingles possible |
| 1.00″ | Quarter | Functional shingle damage threshold; gutters and vents dent |
| 1.25″ | Half dollar | Consistent shingle bruising; widespread soft metal damage |
| 1.75″ | Golf ball | Significant damage across all exposed slopes |
| 2.50″+ | Tennis ball | Severe; punctures possible, siding and windows affected |
Wind direction during the event matters as much as size. A driven hailstorm often damages one or two slopes severely and leaves the others untouched, which is why slope-by-slope documentation matters.
Where our role begins and ends
In Tennessee, only a licensed public adjuster may investigate, handle or negotiate an insurance claim on a policyholder’s behalf, and state law treats contractor and adjuster as roles that cannot be filled by the same party on the same loss. We inspect, document and repair. You file and control your own claim. If a claim becomes complex or gets denied, we’re glad to explain your options — including hiring a licensed public adjuster, which is a separate profession from ours.
Where We Look for Corroboration
Shingle bruising is the primary finding, but adjusters weight corroborating evidence heavily. Soft metals dent at lower impact energy than shingles bruise, so they establish that hail of a damaging size actually fell at your address.
Gutters & downspouts
Dents on the top face and the front edge. Often the clearest, most photographable evidence on the property.
Roof vents & turbines
Thin galvanized caps dent readily and hold the impression clearly.
AC condenser fins
Aluminum fins on the outdoor unit flatten under hail. Frequently overlooked and highly persuasive.
Valley & drip metal
Exposed metal along valleys and eaves records impacts well.
Fence caps & mailbox
Painted metal surfaces around the property that took the same storm.
Deck & window sills
Splatter marks and impact marks on horizontal wood surfaces, visible for weeks after.
What to Do in the First Two Weeks
- Photograph everything from the ground. Dented gutters, the AC unit, debris in the yard, hail on the ground if it is still there. Date-stamped phone photos are fine and are genuinely useful later.
- Note the date and time of the storm. Your claim will be tied to a specific weather event. Write it down while you remember it.
- Address anything actively leaking. Emergency tarping to prevent further damage is generally covered and is usually expected of you under most policies.
- Get a documented roof inspection. Before filing, so you know whether there is actually damage worth claiming.
- Notify your insurer. Most Tennessee policies require prompt notice. Filing early preserves your options.
- Keep every receipt. Tarps, temporary repairs, anything spent mitigating damage is typically reimbursable.
- Be cautious with door knockers. After a county-wide event, out-of-state crews canvass neighborhoods. Verify a Tennessee license and a local address before signing anything.
Two things to refuse outright
Be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign a contract or an assignment of benefits on the first visit, and refuse anyone who offers to cover, absorb or waive your deductible. The second is insurance fraud in most fact patterns, and it exposes you — the policyholder — not only the contractor.
Request Your Free Inspection
We'll walk the roof, photograph everything we find and leave you with a written report and estimate — whether you hire us or not.
- Full roof and gutter assessment
- Annotated photos of every damage point
- Written repair or replacement estimate
- Plain-English explanation of what we found
- We can be on site when your adjuster inspects
Hail Damage FAQ — Middle Tennessee
How big does hail need to be to damage a roof?
Roughly one inch — about a quarter — is the usual threshold for functional damage to asphalt shingles, though older or already-weathered shingles can be damaged by three-quarter-inch hail. Softer metals like gutters and vents dent at smaller sizes, which is why they are useful corroborating evidence.
What does hail damage look like on shingles?
A dark circular bruise where granules have been knocked away, typically the size of a dime to a half dollar. Pressed with a thumb it feels soft or spongy, because the fiberglass mat underneath has fractured. The randomness of the pattern is what distinguishes it from manufacturing defects or foot traffic.
Can hail damage show up months later?
The damage occurs at impact, but its consequences surface over time. A bruised shingle continues shedding granules and eventually cracks, so a leak may not appear for a year or more. This is exactly why prompt documented inspection matters — the evidence is clearest soon after the event.
Will my insurance rate go up if I file a hail claim?
Hail is generally treated as a non-fault weather loss, and in Tennessee carriers commonly handle it differently from at-fault claims. That said, practices vary by carrier and multiple claims over a short period can affect renewal terms. Ask your agent directly about your specific policy before filing.
How do I find out if hail actually hit my address?
The National Weather Service maintains storm reports by date and location, and several commercial hail-mapping services provide address-level reports. Your insurer will pull this data as part of the claim. We can also tell you whether we have documented damage on nearby streets.
Should I get a roof inspection if my neighbor got a new roof?
Yes. Hail falls in swaths, not on individual houses. If homes on your street had verified damage, your roof was in the same swath. It is worth having it documented even if you see nothing from the ground.
Get a straight answer about your roof
Free inspection, documented findings, no pressure. Serving Murfreesboro and all of Rutherford County.