A homeowner's checklist for what to look for — and what to leave for a pro.
From the ground
Look for dented gutters, AC fins, screens, mailboxes, and grills.
From a ladder (carefully)
Check the gutter for granule piles and shingle fragments.
Inside
Walk the attic with a flashlight after the next rain.
Leave the roof to a pro
Hail bruising is invisible without hands-on inspection. We chalk-test impacts the way insurance adjusters do.
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Free, no-pressure inspections across Huntsville and North Alabama.
Local Factors That Change Hail Damage Roof Inspection Checklist in Huntsville
River-valley humidity across Madison, Morgan, and Limestone Counties feeds algae streaking and keeps decking damp after leaks. Moisture that lingers is what takes a minor flashing failure into rotted sheathing.
Local code matters too. Roofing work inside Huntsville city limits follows the International Residential Code as adopted locally, which sets nailing patterns, drip edge, underlayment, and attic ventilation minimums — and allows no more than two roof coverings before a full tear-off is required. When a roof is replaced, the new installation has to meet current code even if the old one predated it.
What to Do Next
- 1Save any debris, torn shingles, or broken material for the record.
- 2Check ceilings and closet corners across the whole house, not just the room where you saw a stain.
- 3Ask your insurer what your wind-and-hail deductible actually is before you decide to file.
- 4Book an inspection that produces slope-by-slope photos you can keep.
- 5Schedule the permanent repair rather than relying on sealant as a long-term fix.