Living in Evansville means we're no strangers to severe weather. The Ohio River valley creates conditions where hailstorms can form quickly, especially from March through June. Whether you're in Jacobsville, McCutchanville, or out near Newburgh, a hailstorm can roll through and leave hidden damage on your roof that won't show up as a leak until months later. Here's how to spot the signs early.
Check Your Roof From the Ground First
After a hailstorm passes, you don't need to climb on your roof to start assessing damage. Walk around your property and look for these indicators:
- Dented gutters and downspouts — Hailstones leave visible dents in soft aluminum gutters, which tells you the storm was strong enough to damage shingles too.
- Missing or cracked shingle granules — Look at the ground near your downspouts. If you see a pile of dark, sand-like granules, your shingles took a beating.
- Damaged siding or window screens — If hail was big enough to dent your siding or tear screens, it almost certainly hit your roof hard enough to cause damage.
- Soft spots on shingles — If you can safely access a low roof section, press gently on shingles. Hail impact can crack the fiberglass mat beneath the granules, leaving soft spots that aren't visible but will leak later.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on Different Roofing Materials
Most Evansville homes have asphalt shingle roofs, but if you're in one of the historic homes near Haynie's Corner or the old Stringtown neighborhood, you might have different materials:
- Asphalt shingles: Look for circular or semi-circular impact marks where granules have been knocked off, exposing the black underlayment. Dark spots about the size of a dime to a quarter are classic hail hits.
- Metal roofs: Dents are the telltale sign. Small dents are mostly cosmetic, but larger ones can compromise the panel's weather seal at seams.
- Clay or concrete tile: Cracks, chips, or broken tiles — especially on the edges facing the storm's direction.
When to Call a Professional Roofer
If you spot any of the signs above, it's time to call a licensed Evansville roofing contractor for a full inspection. Here's why it matters:
Insurance claims for hail damage typically need to be filed within one year of the storm date in Indiana. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the damage came from a specific storm rather than normal wear and tear. A professional roofer will document the damage with photos and a written report that your insurance company will accept.
Also, what looks like minor cosmetic damage can turn into a major leak during Evansville's heavy summer downpours or winter ice dams. Water infiltration from compromised shingles can rot your roof deck and lead to mold inside your attic — problems that cost ten times more to fix than a simple shingle replacement.
Don't Wait — Document and Act Fast
Take photos of everything you find, note the date and time of the storm, and save any local weather reports that mention hail in the Evansville area. The National Weather Service Paducah office covers Evansville and posts storm reports online that can support your insurance claim.
If your roof has visible damage or you're unsure, contact a local roofing professional for a free inspection. Most Evansville roofers offer no-cost storm damage assessments and can help you navigate the insurance claim process from start to finish.