Common Symptoms
- ✓Small circular impact marks or granule displacement visible on shingle surfaces
- ✓Soft, spongey feel at impact sites when pressed (bruised fiberglass mat)
- ✓Dented aluminum flashing, gutters, or vent caps after a hail event
- ✓Granules accumulating in gutters or at downspout discharge after a storm
- ✓Impact craters on roof decks, sills, or AC unit fins from the same storm
What Causes This
Hail impacts on asphalt shingles cause granule displacement, fiberglass mat bruising, and in severe cases, cracking or puncture. Minor hail — stones under 1 inch in diameter — may displace granules and create impact marks without immediately compromising the shingle's waterproofing function, though it accelerates granule loss and shortens remaining shingle life. Larger hail creates fractures in the fiberglass mat that become water intrusion points as the shingle weathers. Sub-deductible hail damage — damage that exists but does not justify a full insurance claim given the homeowner's deductible — is common in St. Louis after small to moderate hail events and can be addressed cost-effectively with targeted spot repair.
When to Call Immediately
Before authorizing a sub-deductible hail repair, get an honest assessment of whether the damage actually warrants a full insurance claim. If hail was large enough and coverage is broad enough, filing a claim may net you a full roof replacement at your deductible cost — a much better outcome than paying $500–$950 out of pocket for a partial repair. Revolve will tell you honestly which path makes more sense for your specific situation.
How Revolve Fixes It
- 1Conduct a systematic shingle-by-shingle inspection to document impact count, size, and pattern — using the same methodology an insurance adjuster would use.
- 2Identify shingles with cracked or punctured fiberglass mat versus those with surface granule loss only; cracked shingles require replacement, granule-loss-only shingles may not.
- 3Mark all replacement shingles with chalk and photograph before replacement.
- 4Remove damaged shingles, inspect underlayment for any impact penetration, repair underlayment as needed.
- 5Install replacement shingles matching the existing product; apply sealant at all tabs in hail-repair zones.
- 6Provide written documentation of findings and work performed, including photos, for homeowner records.
Understanding Sub-Deductible Hail Damage
Most Missouri homeowners have a flat deductible between $1,000 and $2,500, or a percentage deductible of 1–2% of the home's insured value. When hail damage exists but a reasonable repair cost falls below that deductible, involving insurance provides no financial benefit — and filing a claim may affect future premiums or insurability. This is sub-deductible territory.
Common scenarios: a spring storm drops 0.75-inch hail on a neighborhood for 20 minutes. The storm is real, the impact marks are real, but on a 1,800 sq ft roof, the number of cracked or bruised shingles is 15–20. A targeted replacement of those shingles runs $350–$700 — under most deductibles. Filing a claim for $700 of damage against a $1,500 deductible results in a claim on your record and zero insurance payment. The correct approach is cash repair.
Revolve will tell you what we find in plain language: this is what the damage looks like, this is what a repair costs, this is whether we think an insurance claim is likely to exceed your deductible. We are not in the business of filing claims for their own sake or discouraging valid claims to take cash work. We call it straight.
How Hail Damage Affects Shingle Performance Over Time
Even sub-deductible hail damage accelerates shingle aging. Granule displacement exposes the asphalt coating to UV radiation, increasing the rate of oxidation and stiffening. A shingle that loses significant granules in a hail event has had 2–4 years of remaining life reduced to 1–2 years. This is relevant when evaluating whether spot repair or replacement makes more sense.
On a 5-year-old roof with 15 years of expected remaining life, a hail spot repair is sound economics. On a 16-year-old roof with 3–5 years remaining, adding $600 of repair to a roof that will need full replacement in the near term deserves a harder look at whether the repair investment is worthwhile versus simply budgeting for earlier replacement.
We provide that analysis as part of every hail inspection — not just the damage assessment, but the context of the roof's overall condition and remaining life so you can make an informed decision.
Hail Spot Repair vs. Full Replacement — Making the Decision
The variables that favor repair over replacement: roof is less than 12 years old, damage is concentrated on one or two slopes, existing shingles are in otherwise good condition, and the repair cost is well under the deductible.
The variables that favor full replacement: roof is over 15 years old, hail damage is distributed across all slopes, the existing shingles have significant granule loss independent of the hail, or the damage estimate is within $500–$800 of the deductible. In the last scenario, a thorough supplemental claim inspection — looking at decking, flashing, gutters, downspouts, and all other storm-damaged components — may bring the claim above the deductible threshold.
Revolve has been navigating this analysis for homeowners in the St. Louis metro for over 17 years. We have seen thousands of hail-damage roofs across a wide range of conditions and insurance outcomes. If you are uncertain which path makes sense, an honest inspection is the starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my roof has hail damage?+
From the ground: look for dented gutters, downspout elbows, and AC fins — if metal components show impact marks, the roof likely does too. On the roof: hail impacts on asphalt shingles appear as circular impact craters with granule displacement, often with a soft, bruised feel when pressed. A professional inspection is the definitive assessment.
Does hail damage void my shingle warranty?+
Manufacturer product warranties cover defects in the shingle material, not storm damage. Hail damage is a covered insurance peril, not a manufacturing defect. Warranties are unaffected by hail events. However, improper repair of hail damage by a non-certified contractor can void the workmanship provisions of system warranties.
How long after a hail storm can I file an insurance claim?+
Most Missouri homeowners policies allow claim filing within 1–2 years of the damage event, though policies vary. A roofing contractor experienced in insurance work — like Revolve — can assist with dating damage to a specific storm event using historical hail maps and weather documentation.
Is it worth repairing hail damage if my roof is old?+
It depends on how old. For a roof over 18 years old with widespread granule loss and a hail event that damaged all four slopes, the honest answer is usually no — you are better served putting the repair money toward a replacement budget. For a roof under 12 with isolated damage, repair is almost always the right call. We will tell you which situation you are in.