Calgary Hail Damage Roof Repair: What To Do After A Storm

Calgary homeowners know the drill. A warm afternoon turns dark in 20 minutes and suddenly hail the size of golf balls is hammering your neighbourhood. When it’s over and the sun comes back out, the question isn’t did my roof take damage, it’s how bad is it?

This guide walks you through exactly what to do after a hailstorm, from your first steps outside to getting your roof repaired and your insurance claim sorted.

Why Calgary Gets Hit So Hard

Calgary sits in one of the most active hail corridors in North America. The collision of warm air moving up from the prairies and cold fronts rolling off the Rockies creates the perfect conditions for severe summer storms. The stretch between May and September is peak hail season and some Calgary neighbourhoods get hit multiple times in a single summer.

This isn’t bad luck, it’s unfortunate geography. It also means Calgary homeowners need to be more on top of their roof’s condition than almost anyone else in the country.

Step 1: Wait Until It’s Safe

Before you go outside to inspect anything, make sure the storm has fully passed. Hailstorms can stall and restart, and the last thing you want is to be on your roof or in your yard when a second wave comes through. Check Environment Canada’s weather radar before stepping outside.

Step 2: Do A Ground-Level Check First

You don’t need to get on your roof to get a first read on the damage. Walk around your property and look for these signs:

Dented or damaged gutters and downspouts — Hail hits gutters the same way it hits your roof. If your gutters are dented, your shingles almost certainly took hits too.

Granules in your gutters or on the ground — Asphalt shingles are coated in granules that protect against UV and water. Hail knocks them loose. A pile of dark, sand-like granules in your downspout drain is a clear sign of shingle damage.

Dented metal surfaces — Check your AC unit, flashing, vents, and any exposed metal trim. These dent easily and are a reliable indicator of hail size and intensity.

Damaged window screens or siding — If hail punched holes in your screens or cracked your siding, it was large enough to cause meaningful roof damage.

Debris and bruising on soft surfaces — Wood fences, deck boards, and fascia boards can show impact marks that help you gauge how hard the hail hit.

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Before you call a roofer, or at least at the same time, contact your home insurance provider to report the storm. Most Alberta home insurance policies cover sudden storm damage including hail, but there are time limits on when you can file a claim after an event.

Have the following ready when you call: the date and approximate time of the storm, your policy number, and a description of what you’ve observed so far (gutters, granules, visible damage).

Your insurer will send an adjuster to assess the damage. This is where having a Calgary roofing company involved early is valuable. A qualified roofing contractor can document damage in a way that supports your claim and ensures nothing gets missed.

Step 4: Get A Professional Roof Inspection

A ground-level inspection tells you something is wrong. Only a professional inspection tells you the full story.

Hail damage isn’t always visible from the ground, and it doesn’t always cause an immediate leak. What it does is compromise the integrity of your shingles by knocking off granules, cracking the mat beneath, and leaving your roof vulnerable to the next rainstorm, UV exposure, and freeze-thaw cycles over winter.

A qualified roofer will inspect every slope of the roof for impact marks and granule loss, flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights, the condition of the underlayment where shingles are cracked or missing, gutters, fascia, and soffits, and any flat roof sections for membrane punctures or seam failures.

At Albany Roofing, we document everything with photos and give you a written assessment you can share directly with your insurance adjuster. We work alongside adjusters regularly and know what they need to see.

Step 5: Protect Your Roof From Further Damage

If the inspection reveals significant damage, or if you have an active leak, you need to protect your home before the full repair can be completed. Temporary protective measures like tarping exposed areas stop water from getting into your decking, insulation, and interior.

Do not attempt to tarp a steep or damaged roof yourself. It’s dangerous and can cause additional damage if done incorrectly. Call us for emergency roof protection.

What Does Hail Damage Actually Look Like On A Roof?

This is one of the most common questions we get. Hail damage on asphalt shingles shows up as random impact marks and unlike wear and tear, which follows patterns, hail hits randomly across the surface, leaving circular or oval bruising with no pattern. You’ll also see granule loss at impact points, where the darker asphalt mat is exposed and water will eventually penetrate. Damaged shingles may feel soft or spongy when pressed, like a bruised apple, meaning the membrane beneath has been compromised. In severe hail events if your shingles crack completely they are to spot but represent only the most obvious damage.

On metal roofs, damage shows up as dents and dimpling. On flat roofs, look for punctures in the membrane or damage around seams and penetrations.

Will Insurance Cover Hail Damage In Calgary?

In most cases, yes. If you have standard Alberta home insurance, hail damage is covered as sudden accidental damage. What insurance does not cover is pre-existing wear, age-related deterioration, or damage that resulted from lack of maintenance.

Act quickly, as most policies require you to report damage promptly and waiting months to file a claim can complicate or void your coverage. Understand your deductible, too. If the repair cost is less than your deductible, a claim may not make financial sense and a professional roofer can help you make that call. Don’t rely solely on the insurance adjuster’s assessment, always have a roofing company document the damage independently so nothing is missed. Finally, know whether your policy covers replacement cost value or actual cash value, as depreciation can affect your payout depending on your roof’s age.

How Long Does Hail Damage Repair Take?

For moderate hail damage the roof repair might be a partial shingle replacement, flashing repair or gutter work. Most jobs can be completed in one to two days once materials are on hand. After a major storm event that affects a large part of Calgary, roofing contractors get very busy, very fast. Getting your inspection booked early puts you ahead of the rush.

Full roof replacements resulting from severe hail damage typically take one to three days depending on the size and complexity of your roof.

Don’t Wait On Hail Damage

The biggest mistake Calgary homeowners make after a hailstorm is assuming that because there’s no active leak, there’s no urgency. Hail damage is cumulative. Every rainstorm, every freeze-thaw cycle, every hot summer day accelerates the deterioration of compromised shingles. What’s a repair today becomes a replacement next year.

If your neighbourhood got hit, get an inspection booked, even if everything looks fine from the ground. The inspection is free, and the peace of mind is worth it. Book your free hail damage inspection.

FAQ

How Soon After A Hailstorm Should I Get My Roof Inspected?

As soon as possible, ideally within a week or two. After major storm events, roofing contractors book up quickly, and most insurance policies expect timely reporting of damage.

Can I Claim Hail Damage On An Old Roof?

Yes, but depreciation may reduce your payout if you have an actual cash value policy. Your insurer will factor in the age and condition of your roof when calculating the claim.

What If The Damage Looks Minor?

Minor visible damage often means more significant hidden damage. Granule loss and mat bruising don’t look dramatic, but they meaningfully shorten your roof’s lifespan. Get a professional opinion before deciding it’s not worth dealing with.

Do I Need A Roofer Before The Insurance Adjuster Comes?

It’s a good idea. Having a roofer document the damage before or alongside the adjuster ensures nothing is overlooked. We can also advocate for you if the adjuster’s assessment seems incomplete.

Does You Work With Insurance Companies?

Yes. We work directly with adjusters and can provide the documentation and scope of work your insurer needs to process your claim.

At Albany Roofing, we serve Calgary and surrounding areas. Call us at 403-923-2065 or request a free inspection online.