How to Detect Hail Damage With High-Powered Lights

Hailstorms can create serious damage to the exterior of buildings. Bits of hail can range in size from tiny pellets to baseballs, or even bigger. Some hail damage, such as a broken window, is obvious; less obvious forms of hail damage take the form of slight dents, hollows and depressions around the outside of structures, and can be harder to find.

High-powered flashlight, 150 lumens minimum
Ladder

Instructions

- 1
  Position a ladder carefully against the side of the house and climb up onto the roof. Walk slowly around the roof, shining your flashlight on each square foot of the roof. Examine the drip edge, the vents, shingles and fascia for dimples or dents.
- 2
  Angle your flashlight this way and that, turning it as you examine each square foot of the roof. Imitating the sun's angles in this way allows you to reveal hail damage that you ordinarily would not see. Pay close attention to shady areas, as the shade can often hide a lot of damage from hail.
- 3
  Climb down from the roof and position your ladder beside the gutters. Run your flashlight up and down the length of the gutters, angling it this way and that way to reveal indentations and dings you might not have ordinarily seen.
- 4
  Walk around the structure, shining your light onto each downspout. Look for shingle mineral deposits or dents around the downspouts. These are also signs of hail damage.

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