After a hailstorm or a windstorm, most people look at the roof, see nothing dramatic, and figure they dodged it. Sometimes that's right. Often it isn't. Hail and wind leave different marks, and many of them are small. Below is what each one looks like on an asphalt shingle roof in Northeast Ohio.
What Hail Damage Looks Like
On asphalt shingles, hail usually leaves a pattern:
- Round, dark bruises or spots. A hailstone knocks the protective granules off and exposes the dark asphalt underneath.
- Soft spots. Up close, a bruised spot may feel softer than the surrounding shingle because the mat underneath is bruised. An inspector checks for this. Don't climb up to test it yourself.
- Cracks or fractures in the shingle in more severe hits.
- Granule piles in the gutters and at the bottom of downspouts. Granules also shed from ordinary aging, so piles alone don't prove hail.
- Dents in soft metal. Dented vents, flashing, and gutters show that hail hit the house, even when the shingles look okay at a glance.
Hail doesn't always hit evenly. It often concentrates on the slopes that faced the storm, so one slope can look fine while another is damaged.
What Wind Damage Looks Like
Wind damages shingles in a different way:
- Missing shingles or tabs. These are the easiest to spot.
- Creased shingles. A horizontal crease across a shingle means wind bent it back. The shingle may still look in place, but the crease has weakened it.
- Lifted or curled edges, where the seal has broken.
- Displaced ridge caps or flashing.
If you want a deeper walk through the process after a big storm, see what to do after a storm hits your roof, our guide to hail damage inspections in Northeast Ohio, and our recap of the May 9, 2026 storm.
Can You See Storm Damage From the Ground?
Often you can't. Much of this damage is not visible from the ground. A bruise the size of a quarter doesn't show from the driveway. A creased shingle looks fine from 30 feet. A ground-level check is only a starting point. If your roof took a storm, a close inspection by someone trained to read hail and wind marks is the only reliable way to know. (There's more in hidden roof damage.)
Some storm damage also shows up late. Water gets in through a bruised or lifted shingle and the stain on your ceiling doesn't appear for weeks or months. Freeze-thaw cycles then work on the weak spots. We wrote about this in delayed storm damage.
Why Winter Is a Good Time to Document It
If the roof took a hit in spring or summer and you never had it looked at, winter is a good time to deal with it, even if repairs wait for a clear window.
- You'll know what you're dealing with before the spring rush.
- Documentation is easier before more weather muddies it, though snow cover can hide damage until there's a clear window.
- Insurance deadlines are real. Check your policy for how long you have to report storm damage, because it varies and waiting can hurt a claim.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Storm Damage?
- Photograph everything, including dented gutters and vents, granules, and any interior stains, with dates.
- Don't climb on a snowy roof. Get a professional to look.
- Review your policy for deadlines and deductibles.
- Be careful who you hire. After storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors. Our guide to storm chaser roofing scams explains what to watch for.
- Get the damage written up, with photos, before you talk to your insurer. See our roof insurance claim guide.
I look at the roof and tell you what I see. Your insurance company decides whether a claim gets approved, and I won't promise an outcome.
Get Your Roof Looked At
Think a storm hit your roof, or you're not sure? Call (440) 645-2003 or request a free estimate. I'll tell you what I find and document it with photos, whether or not it turns into a claim. Serving Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Summit, and Mahoning counties.
Sources & Further Reading
- Hail Damage Roof Inspection in Northeast Ohio
- What to Do After a Storm Hits Your Roof
- Roof Insurance Claim Guide for Ohio
- Delayed Storm Damage to Roofs in Northeast Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
On asphalt shingles, hail usually leaves round, dark bruises where the granules were knocked off. Some hits leave a soft spot, a crack, or exposed mat underneath. Metal vents, flashing, and gutters often show dents.
What does wind damage look like on shingles?
Wind leaves creased shingles, lifted or curled edges, and missing shingles or tabs. A horizontal crease means wind bent the shingle back. The shingle may still look in place, but the crease has weakened it.
Can I see storm damage from the ground?
Sometimes, for example missing shingles or dented gutters. A quarter-sized bruise or a creased shingle usually does not show from the driveway. A close inspection is the only reliable way to know.
Why does one side of my roof look fine after a hailstorm?
Hail doesn't always hit evenly. It often concentrates on the slopes that faced the storm. One slope can look fine while another is damaged.
How long do I have to file a storm damage claim?
The deadline varies by insurance policy, so check yours or ask your insurer. Don't assume you have unlimited time. Waiting can hurt a claim, so document the damage as soon as you can.
Should I check my roof in winter if there was a spring or summer storm?
Yes. Damage from earlier storms can sit unnoticed and turn into leaks as freeze-thaw cycles work on the weak spots. Winter is a good time to document it before the spring rush, though snow may hide damage until a clear weather window.
About Rockstar Roofing
Rockstar Roofing LLC, Ashtabula, Ohio
Rockstar Roofing LLC was founded in 2024 by Mike Ende, who brings 9+ years of Northeast Ohio roofing experience. We are an Owens Corning Duration installer, BBB A-rated, and fully insured. Mike answers the phone himself at (440) 645-2003. Based in Ashtabula, OH, we serve homeowners across Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Summit, Mahoning, and Stark counties.
Read Mike’s full story →This article was last reviewed and updated on November 2, 2026.