Hail damage rarely looks dramatic from the driveway. Here's what to check from the ground before you call anyone.
Start with the soft metal
Gutters, downspouts, vent caps and AC fins dent before shingles show anything. Fresh dents with bright edges are the clearest sign a storm hit hard enough to matter.
Look for granules
After a hail storm, check where your downspouts empty. Piles of dark grit mean shingles lost their protective granules and will age faster from here.
Don't climb up
Wet, damaged roofs are slippery and soft. A free inspection gets a trained eye and a camera on every slope without the risk.