Hail and Wind Damage on Michigan Roofs: The Signs and What to Do Next

Hail damage on asphalt shingles shows up as dark bruises or spots where granules have been knocked loose, often with dents in gutters, vents and downspouts nearby. Wind damage shows up as missing shingles, shingles that are lifted or creased, and debris on the ground. Much of it cannot be seen from the yard, so a close inspection after any significant storm is the safe move.

Livingston County sees both. Summer storm cells track along I-96 and M-59 and drop hail on one subdivision while sparing the next, and straight-line winds have gusted to around 90 mph in the county in recent years. After a storm, homeowners are left with the same questions: did it damage my roof, how would I know, and what should I do first? This guide answers those in order.

What hail does to a shingle roof

An asphalt shingle is a mat coated in asphalt and surfaced with ceramic granules. The granules shield the asphalt from sunlight. A hailstone that strikes hard enough can do three things:

• Knock granules loose, exposing the asphalt underneath. The spot looks dark and may feel slightly soft at first.
• Bruise or fracture the mat, sometimes without breaking the surface. A fractured shingle may look fine today and start leaking or losing granules a season or two later.
• Crack or puncture the shingle outright with very large hail.

The National Weather Service classifies hail as severe at 1 inch in diameter, roughly the size of a quarter, and that is the size range where damage to asphalt shingles becomes a real concern, especially on older roofs. Size is not the only factor. Wind-driven hail hits harder and at an angle, older shingles are more brittle than new ones, and slopes facing the storm take more impacts.

Why smaller hail still matters

Research published in 2025 by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety found that repeated hail under 1 inch, which it calls sub-severe hail, can wear down a shingle's resistance to future storms. In their testing, shingles that had been weathered and hit by sub-severe hail were roughly ten times more susceptible to damage from later severe hail. A single small hailstorm may not justify a new roof, but it is a reason to have an older roof checked, and to keep records of every storm.

What is not hail damage

Plenty of marks on a roof look like hail and are not: blistering from trapped moisture during manufacturing, mechanical damage from foot traffic or tools, granule wear from age, algae streaks and old scuffs. Telling them apart is what HAAG certification trains inspectors to do, and it matters, because calling ordinary wear "hail" is how claims get denied. Our post on what a HAAG Certified inspector looks for after hail goes into that in detail.

What wind does to a shingle roof

Wind damage usually starts at the edges and corners of the roof, where uplift is strongest, and along the ridge. Look for:

• Missing shingles, often in a line along the rakes, eaves or ridge
• Lifted or flapping tabs that have broken their seal strip
• Creased shingles. When wind lifts a tab and drops it back down, it can leave a horizontal crease. The shingle may lie flat again, but it has lost its seal and its strength at that line, and it will be the next to go.
• Exposed nail heads or underlayment where shingles have shifted
• Damaged ridge caps, flashing and vents, which catch the wind more than flat shingles do
• Tree damage, from a branch scraping across the roof to a limb punching through the deck

Every shingle carries a wind rating that depends on the product and on how it was installed, including the nailing pattern and starter strip. A roof installed with too few nails or nails placed too high on the shingle can fail in winds well below its rating.

What you can check from the ground after a storm

Do not climb onto the roof. Wet, damaged shingles are slick and can tear loose under your feet. Instead, walk the property and look for:

• Shingles, shingle pieces or granules in the yard, driveway or gutters
• Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents and the metal flashing around chimneys
• Dents or spatter marks on soft targets: the air-conditioner condenser, mailbox, outdoor grills, painted fences and window screens
• Cracked or chipped siding and damaged window wraps on the side facing the storm
• Damaged skylight frames or cracked skylight glass
• Fallen limbs on or near the house
• New stains on ceilings or around the tops of exterior walls inside

Dents and spatter on soft metal are especially useful. They tell an inspector how large the hail was and which direction it came from, which helps document the roof.

What to do next, in order

• Make the house safe. If water is coming in, protect belongings and catch drips. If a tree is on the roof or a limb has punctured it, keep people out of that room and call for emergency help.
• Document everything. Take dated photos of hail on the ground (a coin or ruler in the frame helps show size), dented soft metals, debris and any interior damage. Note the date and time of the storm.
• Get a professional inspection. A HAAG Certified inspection tells you whether the roof actually has storm damage before you decide what to do about it.
• Talk to your insurance agent. Your agent or carrier can explain what your policy covers and the deadlines that apply to reporting damage. Report storm damage promptly; policies and Michigan law set time limits.
• Make temporary repairs if needed. A tarp or a quick seal over an opening protects the house and is usually expected of homeowners to prevent further damage. Keep photos of the temporary work.
• Be careful who you sign with. After storms, out-of-area crews go door to door. Our guide on how to check a roofer in Michigan explains how to verify a license and spot storm chasers.

Repair or replace after a storm?

It depends on the extent of the damage, the age of the roof and whether replacement shingles will match. A few torn-off shingles on an otherwise sound, younger roof are a straightforward roof repair. Widespread hail bruising across multiple slopes, or wind damage on an older roof where new shingles cannot be matched or sealed properly into brittle old ones, often points toward roof replacement. If you are replacing, it is also worth asking about impact-resistant shingles; our post on Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in Michigan covers how they compare.

Frequently asked questions

What does hail damage look like on shingles?

Dark spots or bruises where granules have been knocked off, sometimes soft to the touch, often in a random pattern on the slopes facing the storm. Dented gutters, vents and downspouts usually accompany it.

What size hail damages a roof?

Damage to asphalt shingles becomes a real concern around 1 inch, the size the National Weather Service classifies as severe, especially on older roofs. Research also shows repeated smaller hail can weaken shingles over time.

Can a roof have hail damage that I cannot see?

Yes. Bruised or fractured shingles often look normal from the ground. That is why an up-close inspection after a significant storm is worthwhile even if nothing looks wrong.

How can I tell if wind damaged my roof?

Look for missing shingles, shingle pieces in the yard, lifted tabs and damaged ridge caps. Creased shingles that have settled back flat are common and can only be confirmed up close.

Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?

Many homeowners have a professional inspection first so they know whether there is storm damage, then talk to their insurance agent about their policy. Either way, report damage promptly because policies have time limits.

After the next storm, call us first for an inspection

We inspect roofs across Livingston County and Greater Southeast Michigan at no charge after hail and windstorms. Our inspectors are HAAG Certified, and you get the findings in writing with photographs, including a plain answer when the roof is fine. Learn more about our storm damage restoration work or call (810) 588-3933.