Hailstorms can cause quite a bit of damage to a home's roof, as the strong rains that accompany hailstorms can mean water seeping in below roofing tiles, and larger hailstones can loosen and outright break roofing tiles and shingles, causing them to fall away from the roof. Note a few factors to consider about hail damage to a home's roof, so you can know when your own roof might need repair after any such storm.

Hailstorm damage isn't always visible on the roof

In some cases, you may see missing shingles after a hailstorm or strong rains, but this isn't the only damage or sign of potential damage to look for when checking your home's roof. Walk around your home and look for granules that have fallen away from the roof, which are caught in the home's gutters, or which have collected around the area directly under the roof. Look for signs of soft spots in the roof; these may be discolored areas or areas that obviously sag.

Note, too, that there could be damage to the roof that isn't easily noticeable with a quick visual inspection. A roofer will be able to check under and around the roofing tiles, to note any damage to the flashing or roofing paper under those shingles. He or she can also note missing granules or worn areas on top of the tiles. If your home's aluminum siding, gutters, downspouts, or other features have suffered damage due to a hailstorm, it's good to get your home's roof inspected for damage as well, even if it seems intact and in good repair.

An insurance company may want to inspect your roof before you call them

You may be surprised to hear from the insurance company that provides your homeowner's insurance after a hailstorm, telling you that they want to send out a roofing inspector to inspect your home's roof. This is because insurance companies often track storms themselves, and note areas that are reported to have been hit the hardest.

Having a roof inspected and repaired at the first sign of damage can be more cost-effective, as this can mean avoiding roof leaks that allow for damage of the interior building materials. Damage to the home's gutters and downspouts can also mean moisture collecting along the side of the home, potentially damaging its foundation. By addressing all these repairs as quickly as possible, you can avoid this future damage to your home, and your homeowner's insurance company can save on those costs for future repairs.