Florida is in the top 10 states nationally for hail events. Central Florida alone recorded over 400 hail events in the past five years. Most homeowners never noticed — because hail damage to a roof is rarely visible from the ground.
When most people think of hail damage, they picture golf-ball-sized ice destroying cars and windows in the Midwest. Florida hail is different. It is usually smaller — often pea to marble-sized — and it rarely makes the evening news. But it still causes serious damage to roofing systems.
Florida-sized hail may not crack a windshield, but it can bruise asphalt shingles, crack the underlayment beneath them, dent metal flashing and gutters, and knock granules loose from shingle surfaces. This damage is cumulative and progressive — meaning it gets worse over time, not better.
The challenge is that this type of damage is almost never visible from the ground. A roof can look perfectly fine from your driveway while having hundreds of impact points that are slowly compromising its ability to keep water out.
Hail impacts compress the fiberglass mat inside asphalt shingles, creating soft spots that weaken the shingle's structure. These bruises are not visible from the ground but can be felt by hand on the roof surface.
The protective granule layer on shingles gets knocked loose by hail impacts. This exposes the asphalt layer beneath to UV radiation, accelerating deterioration. Check your gutters — excessive granules are a warning sign.
Beneath the shingles, the underlayment acts as a secondary water barrier. Hail impacts can crack this layer, creating pathways for water to reach the roof deck even when shingles appear intact.
Metal flashing around vents, chimneys, and roof edges can be dented or bent by hail. Even small dents can create gaps where water enters during heavy rain.
Hail damage does not heal itself. Each subsequent rain event pushes water deeper into compromised areas. What starts as a minor bruise can become a leak, then mold, then structural damage over months.
Hail dents gutters, downspouts, and roof vents. Dented gutters can affect drainage, causing water to pool near the roof edge and accelerate fascia and soffit deterioration.
After a hailstorm, some contractors go door-to-door with promises that sound too good to be true. Here are red flags to watch for:
A legitimate contractor will inspect first, explain what they found, present your options, and let you decide without pressure. They will have verifiable licenses, a local office, and a track record of reviews.
Yes. Florida ranks among the top 10 states nationally for hail events, and Central Florida alone recorded over 400 hail events in the past five years. Florida hail is usually smaller than the hail seen in the Midwest, often pea to marble sized, but it can still cause serious damage to roofing systems.
Hail impacts bruise asphalt shingles by compressing the fiberglass mat inside them, knock protective granules loose, crack the underlayment beneath the shingles, and dent metal flashing, gutters, and roof vents. Excessive granules collecting in your gutters are a common warning sign.
Shingle bruising and granule loss are subtle changes to the roof surface. A roof can look perfectly fine from your driveway while having hundreds of impact points that slowly compromise its ability to keep water out. Signs at ground level, such as dents on your mailbox, car, or AC unit, can hint that the roof was impacted too, but a licensed roof inspection is the only way to know for certain.
Yes. Hail damage is cumulative and progressive. Each subsequent rain event pushes water deeper into compromised areas, so what starts as a minor bruise can become a leak, then mold, then structural damage over months.
Stay off the roof, since a licensed inspector has the training, equipment, and insurance to examine it safely. Check for signs at ground level, such as dents on your mailbox, outdoor furniture, car, or AC unit, and excessive granules in your gutters. Note the date and time of the storm. Then schedule a licensed roof inspection. The inspector will walk the roof, photograph every area, and provide a clear written report so you can decide what to do with the information.
Alron Construction, LLC: Licensed Florida Roofing Contractor (CCC1328819) and Certified General Contractor (CGC1515789). Office: 300 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32922. Call (321) 639-0911 for a free, photo-documented roof inspection. Serving Brevard, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties since 2008. A+ BBB rated, 244+ verified Google reviews, veteran-owned (SDVOSB).
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