The hail lasted maybe ten minutes. Now the car has a few dings, there are dents in the gutter, and you’re wondering what the same ice did to your shingles. From the driveway the roof looks about the same as it did yesterday, and that’s what makes hail damage roof repair in Kansas City so confusing. Most of the damage can’t be seen from the ground.
You might also be wondering whether it’s worth calling anyone at all, or whether the roofer who knocked on your door this morning is telling you the truth. It’s fair to want a straight answer before you file a claim or spend a dollar.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofing contractor, in business since 2017, licensed and insured. We’ll get on your roof, photograph every hit we find and tell you plainly whether you have hail damage that matters.
What hail actually does to a roof
Hail doesn’t usually punch holes through shingles. The damage is quieter than that.
An asphalt shingle is a fiberglass mat coated in asphalt, with ceramic granules pressed into the top. The granules protect the asphalt from the sun. When a hailstone hits, it can knock those granules loose, leaving a dark spot of bare asphalt. A harder hit can bruise the shingle, crushing the mat underneath so it feels soft when pressed, or crack it outright.
None of that may leak right away. What happens next is slower. The exposed asphalt dries out and breaks down in the summer sun, and freeze-thaw cycles work water into the cracks over the winter. A roof that looked fine in May can start leaking the next spring.
Signs of hail damage you can check from the ground
You don’t need to climb a ladder to find clues. In fact, please don’t. Walk around the house and look for:
- Dents or dings in gutters, downspouts and the metal caps on roof vents
- Granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts or in the gutters
- Spatter marks, small clean spots where hail knocked dirt and oxidation off metal or painted surfaces
- Cracked or dented siding, window trim or the soft aluminum wraps around windows
- Damage to your car, patio furniture or AC unit’s fins
If you see several of these, there’s a good chance the roof took hits too. Our Kansas City storm damage page covers wind, limbs and ice if hail wasn’t the only problem.
What we check during a hail inspection
On the roof, we look at every slope, since hail often hits one side of the house much harder than the other. We mark and photograph hits on the shingles, check ridge caps and flashing, and look at soft metals like vent caps and pipe boots, which show dents clearly and help confirm the size and direction of the hail.
Metal roofs need a different eye. Hail can dent standing-seam or other metal panels without hurting how they shed water. That’s cosmetic damage. Dents that crack the coating, bend seams or loosen fasteners are another matter, because they can let water in. We’ll tell you which kind you have.
You’ll get dated photos of everything, which helps whether you file a claim or not.
Hail damage roof repair in Kansas City, or a new roof?
A repair can work when the hits are limited to a small area and the rest of the roof is in good shape. We replace the damaged shingles, reseal what needs it and make sure the new pieces lie flat and match as closely as they can.
Matching is the catch. Shingles fade over time, and colors and styles get discontinued, so new shingles on an older roof won’t always blend in. When hail damage is spread across most of the slopes, patching dozens of spots usually leaves you with a weaker roof than a roof replacement would. We’ll show you the photos and lay out both options. You make the call.
If your roof was already near the end of its life, a hailstorm often settles the question. Our Kansas City shingle roofing page covers the shingle options if a new roof is on the table.
Hail damage and your insurance claim
You file the claim with your insurance company, and you pay your own deductible. We document the damage, give you a written estimate and can be on the roof when your adjuster inspects it, so no damaged slope gets missed. Your claim stays between you and your insurer.
Be careful with anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible. That’s not allowed in Missouri, and it’s a good sign to keep looking. Many policies also set a deadline for reporting storm damage, so check yours. For more on the process, see our insurance roof claims page.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of every hit we found and get a written estimate. If there’s no damage worth fixing, we’ll tell you that too.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Many residential roofs are finished in a single day, and the crew cleans up before they leave.
Hail damage doesn’t fix itself. Bruised shingles keep losing granules every summer, and a roof that’s been quietly weakening can let water into the attic before you see a stain on the ceiling.
Hail damage questions from Kansas City homeowners
What size hail damages a roof?
Larger hail does more harm, but size isn’t the whole story. Wind, the age of your shingles and how directly the hail hit all play a part. Even moderate hail can damage an older roof.
Can hail damage show up later?
Yes. Bruised shingles often look fine at first and start failing a season or two after the storm. That’s why an inspection soon after the storm is worth it.
Will you replace only the damaged shingles?
If the damage is limited and we can get a reasonable match, a repair may be the right answer. If the hits are spread across the roof, we’ll explain why a replacement may hold up better.
Is the hail inspection free?
Yes. The inspection and estimate are free, and you’re under no obligation.
Get your roof back to solid
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free hail inspection online. Once it’s done, the next spring storm is just weather again, your roof is sound, and you know exactly what you paid for.
