Hail Damage Roof Inspection: What Adjusters Look For
By Roof Inspection Masters • New Brunswick, NJ
Hail is the most misunderstood roof peril in New Brunswick. Here is how hail damage inspections actually work — and why "looks fine from the ground" is meaningless.
The test-square method
Inspectors chalk 10x10-foot test squares on each slope and count bruises — soft spots where hail fractured the shingle mat. Carriers have thresholds (often 8–10 hits per square) that determine repair vs. replacement. Random, storm-directional patterns distinguish hail from wear.
Collateral damage tells the story
Dented gutters, downspouts, vents, window screens and AC fins corroborate hail size and direction. We document all of it — adjusters expect this evidence package.
Functional vs. cosmetic
Bruised mats are functional damage: the shingle's waterproofing life is shortened even when it looks intact. Cosmetic dents on metal that do not affect performance are a different category. Knowing which you have determines your claim.
Act fast
Hail evidence weathers away. Inspect within weeks of the storm, and remember most policies require prompt notice even though formal filing windows run 1–2 years.
Why It Matters in New Brunswick
New Brunswick averages about 29 inches of snow per winter with February nor'easters, ice dams from freeze-thaw cycles, and humid summers. Snow load, ice damming and wind-driven rain are the big three roof killers here. An inspection catches the small failures — lifted flashing, cracked boots, clogged valleys — before they become interior damage. At $150 to $400, it is the cheapest roofing decision most homeowners ever make.
What Our Inspections Include
Every Roof Inspection Masters inspection covers all roof slopes (on foot or by drone), attic decking and ventilation, flashing and penetrations, and gutters and drainage. You get a photo-documented written report within 24 hours — prioritized findings, remaining-life estimate and honest next steps from certified experts with a decade of roofing experience.
Local Context: New Brunswick, NJ
Historic colonials and Victorians near Rutgers, brick rowhouses downtown, and post-war Capes in the outer wards — a mix where ice dams exploit every weak valley, eave and flashing detail.
Questions About Your Roof?
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Frequently Asked Questions
One-inch hail reliably bruises standard shingles. Larger stones damage even impact-rated products — we document actual damage, not assumptions.
Widespread bruising across slopes means replacement; isolated hits can sometimes be repaired. The test-square counts decide.
Your roof, your storm, your claim. Neighbor activity is irrelevant to your coverage.