Quick Answer: Knowing what to do after a hail storm starts with three steps. First, make sure everyone is safe and stay off the roof. Next, document the damage with photos from the ground. Then call a trusted local roofer for a free inspection before you file a claim.
Knowing what to do after a hail storm can save your Des Moines home from thousands of dollars in hidden damage. Hail hit the metro hard this summer, and many homeowners are left staring at dented gutters and scattered ice wondering what happens next. The answer is simple: stay safe, write down what you see, and get a professional set of eyes on your roof fast.
Central Iowa sits in one of the most active hail regions in the country. From May through August, storms roll through Polk County and drop hail large enough to strip the protective layer off your shingles in one pass. The damage is not always easy to see from your yard, which is why the first hours after a storm matter so much.
What Should I Do Right After a Hail Storm?
Right after a hail storm, check on your family and pets before you look at anything else. Broken glass, downed limbs, and loose debris can turn a cleanup into an injury. Walk through your home and make sure everyone is accounted for and safe.
Once you know everyone is okay, take a slow walk around the outside of your house. Stay on the ground and look up. From your yard you can usually spot the clearest signs of trouble, such as:
- Dented or dinged gutters and downspouts
- Shingle granules washed into gutter corners or at the base of downspouts
- Cracked or torn shingles lying in the yard
- Dents on your siding, garage door, or air conditioner unit
- Cracked window glass or torn screens
Write down the date and time the storm hit while it is fresh. Insurance companies almost always ask when the damage happened. A quick note now makes that conversation much easier later. It also helps to save any weather alerts or local news reports about the storm, since those back up your timeline.
What Does Hail Actually Do to a Roof?
Hail damages a roof by bruising the shingles and knocking loose the granules that protect them from the sun. Those granules act like sunscreen for your roof. Once they are gone, the shingle underneath ages faster and grows brittle, which shortens the life of the whole roof.
Even small hail can cause problems you cannot see from the driveway. Quarter-size hail is enough to damage most asphalt shingles. The trouble often shows up in these spots:
- Bruised or soft spots on the shingle surface
- Cracked or lifted shingles that break the water seal
- Dented metal flashing around chimneys and vents
- Torn pipe boots and damaged vent caps
These weak points let water sneak in slowly. A leak that starts at a cracked flashing detail may not reach your ceiling for weeks. By then, the water has already found the wood underneath, which is why a fast inspection saves you money down the road.
Should I Get on My Roof After a Hail Storm?
No, you should not get on your roof after a hail storm. Wet shingles are slick, and a roof that just took hail has a weakened surface that is easy to slip on. Climbing up can also cause more damage and void parts of your warranty.
Hail damage is tricky because it often hides where you cannot see it from the ground. Bruised shingles, lifted seals, and cracked flashing can let water in slowly over weeks and months. A trained roofer knows exactly where to look and can spot problems that an untrained eye will miss every time.
If water is already coming inside, that is the one moment to act quickly. Move furniture, put down a bucket, and call a roofer who offers emergency service. A temporary tarp can protect your home until the roof gets a proper repair.
How Do I Document Hail Damage for a Claim?
Document hail damage by taking clear photos and videos of everything you can see safely from the ground. Good pictures are the backbone of a strong insurance claim, so take more than you think you need. Capture the whole house, then zoom in on specific dents and cracks.
Helpful documentation usually includes:
- Wide shots of each side of the house
- Close-ups of dented gutters, screens, and siding
- Hail on the ground next to a coin or ruler for size
- Any water spots on ceilings or walls inside
Hail does not only hurt your roof. It dents siding, bends gutters, and can crack the glass in your windows too. A full inspection looks at your whole exterior, because water can sneak in through any of these weak spots once a storm has done its work.
When you are ready for a professional look, our Des Moines roofing team provides free inspections and gives you an honest, written assessment. We photograph and measure every impact, so you have a clear record whether or not you decide to file a claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Hail Damage Claim in Iowa?
Most Iowa insurance policies give you up to one year from the date of the storm to file a hail damage claim. That sounds like plenty of time, but waiting is risky. Small cracks turn into leaks, and leaks turn into rot and mold that cost far more to fix.
Iowa weather also does not give you a long grace period. Temperatures swing, moisture builds, and secondary damage speeds up fast. Acting within days of the storm protects both your home and your claim. You can review your rights and the claim process through the Iowa Insurance Division, which offers a post-disaster claim guide for homeowners.
Is It Worth Filing a Claim for Hail Damage?
Filing a claim is worth it when the damage is real and widespread, but not every ding belongs on a claim. If a couple of shingles blew loose and the rest of the roof is solid, a quick out-of-pocket repair may be the smarter play. A small claim can still affect your premium.
This is where an honest local roofer earns their keep. A good contractor tells you the truth about whether you have a repair or a full replacement on your hands. The goal is to protect your home, not to sell you work you do not need.
Watch out for storm chasers during this stage too. After a big storm, out-of-state crews flood Des Moines neighborhoods and knock on doors promising fast, cheap work. They often pressure you to sign right away, collect a deposit, and leave sloppy work behind. A local company with 18 years in the community and real credentials is a far safer bet than a truck that will be three states away by winter.
Why Choose a Local Des Moines Roofer After a Storm?
A local roofer knows Iowa storms, Iowa homes, and Iowa insurance better than any national crew passing through. Andrew’s Roofing Company has served the Des Moines metro for over 18 years as a family-owned business. We are a GAF Master Elite Contractor and certified FORTIFIED Roof Installer, credentials that only a small share of roofers ever earn.
Those certifications mean stronger warranties and installation built for the weather Central Iowa actually throws at your home. When your adjuster arrives, your damage will be thoroughly documented and ready for a complete review. You get one local team in your corner from the first inspection through the final walkthrough.
Hit by hail? Let’s protect your home. If a storm just rolled through your neighborhood, do not wait for a small problem to grow. Contact Andrew’s Roofing Company today for a free, no-pressure inspection from a trusted local team.
