Hail Damage on Your Roof? A Winnipeg Homeowner's guide to spotting it and Fixing it
Southern Manitoba sits in one of Canada's most active hail zones. Most summers bring at least one storm that pelts our city or the surrounding communities with hail — and every one of those storms leaves homeowners asking the same question: did that storm just wreck my roof? Unfortunately, that answer is often invisible from the ground.
What hail actually does to a shingle
Hail rarely punches holes in a roof directly. What it does is more subtle:
It knocks the granules off. Analogous to sunscreen — they protect the asphalt underneath from UV rays. A hail strike can leave a "bruise" or sorts. A small dark circle where granules are gone and the asphalt is exposed like the image below.
It fractures the mat. Larger hail stones can crack the fiberglass mat inside the roofing material. The shingle or roofing material stays in place and looks okay, but it's broken.
The damage matures over 1–3 years. Exposed asphalt dries out and cracks; fractured mats let water through. A roof that "survived" a hailstorm can start leaking well after the initial storm that caused the damage has passed.
That delayed timeline is exactly why a prompt inspection matters even if nothing looks wrong. Even worse, some homes do not have a material called underlayment under the shingles or roofing material (a practice we DO NOT recommend). In this scenario, hail damage (even if small) can expose the underlying roof deck (wood) itself. This will practically guarantee water infiltration due to the exposed wood. Even if it is only a small surface area it is no longer water tight and needs prompt attention.
How big does hail need to be to damage a roof?
A rough guide for asphalt shingles:
Pea to dime size: less likely to damage a healthy roof, but can damage older, brittle shingles.
Quarter size: the threshold where real damage to standard shingles begins.
Loonie/toonie size (~2.5–3 cm) and up: damage probable; get an inspection.
Golf ball and larger (4 cm+): damage is near-certain, often including vents, flashings, and eavestroughs.
Further considerations include wind speed and roof age. Hail driven sideways by a 90 km/h gust hits far harder than hail falling straight down. Older roofs damage more easily. Aged brittle shingles can crack under hail that a new roof may shrug off.
Signs of hail damage you can check safely
From the ground (for your safety stay off the roof as hail-hit shingles can be slippery due to loose granules):
Dented eavestroughs, downspouts, or metal flashing: Soft metal such as aluminum eavestroughs shows hail impact clearly.
Damaged window screens, dented siding, or chipped paint: Especially on the storm-facing side of the house.
Bruised or dented vehicle panels, BBQ lids, or other outdoor structures: These can serve as evidence of hail size.
Heavy granule wash-out: A large amount of new shingle granules at the bottom of your downspouts after the storm may be indicative of a problem.
On the roof itself : You may see evidence of damage from the ground. Random dark spots in the visible shingles the size of the hail, dented vents and ridge caps can all serve as indicators of hail damage.
What to do after a hailstorm
Document immediately. Photograph the hail itself next to a coin or tape measure if you can, plus any dents to gutters, screens, and vehicles. Note the date and time of the storm. This may help you in the event you need to contact your home insurer to make a hail claim.
Get a professional inspection from an experienced roofer. We can photograph the roof surface up close and tell you honestly whether there's cause for concern not. Not every storm damages every roof. Sometimes the honest answer is "it's OK," and you want a company that will say so.
Call your insurer if the inspection finds real damage. Provide your photos and the roofer's photos. The insurer sends an adjuster and it helps to have your roofer's report when the adjuster visits.
Important: Beware of storm chasers
Beware of crews knocking on doors with high-pressure pitches such as: "free roof," "we'll waive your deductible," or "sign this now so we can deal with your insurer."
Red flags:
Door-knockers who showed up within days of the storm and want a signature on the spot
Any company that asks you to sign over your insurance claim rights
No local address, no local phone number, out-of-province plates
Beware of any company asking for large cash deposits up front. Deposits are required to secure work and for material purchases, but these will be negotiated with you.
The problem isn't only the sales tactics; it's that if the workmanship fails, the company is three provinces away. Choose a roofer with a local address and phone number who will still be here if you need to call.
The bottom line
Hail damage hides, then leaks. If your neighbourhood took hail bigger than a quarter, or your eavestroughs and screens have new dents, get the roof inspected within a few weeks.
Had hail?
Call or text Aurora Roofing for a free, honest hail inspection.
(204) 391-1355
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