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After a hailstorm, many roofs in Westfield, IN look fine from the driveway. Up close, it's often a different story. Here's a look at a recent hail damage inspection by Blue Ladder Roofing in Westfield, and how we document damage so homeowners have clear proof for their insurance claim.
Why Hail Damage Is Easy to Miss
Hail doesn't always crack or tear shingles. More often it leaves soft spots or "bruises," knocks the protective granules off the surface and exposes the asphalt underneath. You can't see that from the ground, but it shortens the life of the roof. Once the granules are gone, sun and water break the shingle down much faster, and leaks can show up months or even years after the storm.
How We Inspect a Roof for Hail
On this Westfield roof, our inspector walked each slope and checked the shingles by hand. Every hail hit we found got a chalk circle. That does two things: it makes the damage easy to see in photos, and it shows a clear pattern across the roof instead of one or two random marks.
We photograph the marked areas on each slope so everything is on record. Good documentation matters because an insurance adjuster will want to see damage spread across the roof, not just a single spot.
Signs Your Roof May Have Hail Damage
- Dents or dings on gutters, downspouts, window wraps or the A/C unit
- Piles of shingle granules at the bottom of downspouts
- Dark spots on shingles where the granules have been knocked off
- Dented roof vents or ridge caps
- Neighbors getting roof inspections or new roofs after the same storm
If you notice any of these, get the roof inspected before you call your insurance company. That way you know what you're dealing with before you file a claim.
Help With the Insurance Process
Storm restoration is a big part of what we do. If we find damage, we can walk you through the claim process and meet with your adjuster on the roof, so the damage we documented gets seen. If the roof is in good shape, we'll tell you that too.
Storm Damage in Westfield?
Blue Ladder Roofing is based in nearby Fishers and serves Westfield and all of Hamilton County. Learn more about our roof repair services and roof replacements, or call (463) 222-5211 for a free roof inspection.