Hail damage is the single most common insurance-funded roof replacement in the Chicagoland area — and also the most misunderstood. Most hail damage is invisible from the ground. Even hailstones smaller than a quarter can bruise the asphalt mat of a shingle, crack the shingle binder, and knock away the protective granule layer that shields the underlying asphalt from UV. Once those granules are gone, the shingle begins a fast, quiet failure — often not obvious until a leak appears two or three years later.
Dynasty Restoration performs free, thorough hail damage inspections and delivers a documented, photograph-backed report you can share with your insurance carrier. We never file a claim for damage that isn't there, and we never chase storms — we are a local, Illinois-licensed contractor based in Prospect Heights.
Signs of Hail Damage
Bruised Shingle Tabs
Circular soft spots where the hail impact crushed the mat. Often invisible from the ground — inspector uses a gloved hand to feel for give.
Granule Loss
Bare asphalt showing through, concentrated in circular impact patterns. Granules collect at the bottom of downspouts.
Cracked or Split Shingles
Star-shaped cracks radiating from an impact point, usually on the windward slope.
Damaged Soft Metals
Dents in gutters, downspouts, fascia wraps, AC fins, and grill covers — all classic 'hail signatures.'
Damaged Vents & Flashings
Dented pipe boot collars, attic vent tops, and turtle vent caps indicate a direct hit on the roof.
Cracked Skylights & Windows
Larger hailstones crack glass and damage window screens. Any exterior screen damage is highly correlative with roof damage.
Repair vs. Replace — The Honest Answer
Hail damage on a roof is rarely 'fixable' in the patch sense. When a carrier approves a hail claim, the standard remedy is a full roof replacement because damaged shingles cannot be spot-replaced without creating visible scarring and because the underlying mat damage affects the entire exposed slope.
That said, whether a claim is supported depends entirely on the inspection. We document hit density per test square (a 10x10 area), type of damage, and distribution across slopes. Carriers have specific thresholds — the most common is 8 or more hits in a test square, though some carriers use different criteria. Our inspection tells you exactly where you stand before you ever call your agent.