Hail damage shows up differently depending on they type of building material that is damaged.  Below you will learn how to identify hail damage to common parts of your home.

*Metals including aluminum and steel:

-What it looks like:  Indentations in the metal consistent with the size of the hail.  

-Identification tips:  Damaged metal can be hard to see especially if the light is not just right.  Look at any potentially damaged items at different times of the day as the damage may show up only under certain lighting conditions.            

-Run you hand along any metal material including window trims and window screens to feel for any indentations in the metal material. 

Hail damage to aluminum fascia             

Hail damage to metal shed

           

   

Hail damage to aluminum gutter

Hail damage to window trim        

Hail damage to awning

Hail damage to Aluminum siding

 

             

 

Hail damage to garage door

 

 

  

 Hail damage to downspout

 Painted wood products including siding, fences, window trims, etc :

-What it looks like:  Chips to the paint or missing paint knocked away by the hail. 

-Identification tips:  Pay close attention to any trim that protrudes away from the house as the hail is more likely to damage these areas. Look for swirl marks where the hail has impacted the wood.  Freshly damaged wood usually shows up as lighter in color while older damage is grey in color.  

   

    

 Hail damage to window trim  

 

     

 

Hail damage to garage door trim

 

                   

 

Hail damage to fence stain

 

      

 

Hail damage to deck stain

  

   

 Hail damage to deck rail

*Vinyl:

-What it looks like:  Holes or cracks in the vinyl material.  Pay close attention to vinyl window frames and vinyl siding.  For windows that are not visible from the ground, try and open the window from inside the house and look for any visible damages.  

Hail damage to vinly shed

Hail damage to vinyl siding          

Hail damage to vinyl window beading

                                      

Hail damage vinyl window frame  

 

 

Hail damage to vinyl siding

*Stucco:

-What it looks like:  Holes in the stucco or pieces of the stucco knocked off from the hail. 

 Hail damage to stucco

Hail damage to stucco                

Commonly missed items for hail damage:

Some hail damage is easy to observe, while other damage is more difficult to identify.  Pay specific attention to the following items.

-Hail damage to metal fence caps.  This damage is easy to observe, but often overlooked.

-Hail damage to metal garage doors or metal sidings and trims.  This damage can be hard to see if the light is not just right.  Try and observe these items at different times of the day as the light will vary throughout the day.  Look at the items at different angles.  A high power flashlight is very effective for illuminating hard to see damage on metal surfaces.  Run your hand along the metal to feel for any indentations that are out of place.  

-Hail damage to wood such as decks, fences, siding, etc.  Larger hail damage will be easy to see.  Smaller damage will be require close up observation.  Look for any indentions in the wood or any splatter marks with paint or stain missing.  Fresh damage will be bright in color if the paint has been chipped away. 

-Hail damage to metal sheds.  This damage can be easily seen if you go into the shed and look up at the roof.  Look for any dimples in the metal.

-Hail damage to metal awnings.  Often hard to see, be sure to look from the bottom for any indentations.   Note with painters tape.  Use a high powered flashlight to help illuminate any damage.   

-Hail damage to metal or aluminum window trims.  Look for chips, dents, etc.   Run you hand over the material to feel for any dents that may not be visible to the naked eye.

-Hail damage to content items.  Do a detailed inspection of any personal content items that were exposed during the storm.  Look for any signs of damage that were not present prior to the storm.