What Should I Do If My Roof Is Damaged by Hail?

Central Arkansas sees real hailstorms, and a single bad one can quietly do thousands of dollars of damage to your roof — often without an obvious leak right away. If a storm just rolled through Little Rock and you're wondering what to do next, here's a calm, step-by-step plan.

1. Stay safe — and stay off the roof

The most important step first: don't climb up to look. Wet shingles, hidden soft spots, and storm debris make a roof dangerous right after hail. You can learn almost everything you need from the ground or a window. Leave the on-roof inspection to a trained professional.

2. Look for the signs of hail damage

From the ground, walk your property and look for clues that often point to roof damage:

• Dented gutters, downspouts, or metal vents and flashing
• Granules from your shingles collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets
• Dings on your AC unit, mailbox, fence, or car
• Cracked or shattered window screens and siding
• Shingle pieces or torn tabs in the yard

Damage on metal surfaces and your car is a strong hint that your roof took a hit too — even if the shingles look fine from below.

3. Document everything

Before anyone makes repairs, take clear, dated photos of what you can safely see — dented gutters, debris, granules, and any interior water spots on ceilings or in the attic. Note the date and rough time of the storm. Good documentation makes a later insurance claim far smoother.

4. Get a free professional roof inspection

The only way to know how badly your roof was hit is a proper inspection. Hero Roofing offers free storm damage inspections across Little Rock and Central Arkansas. We safely get on the roof, document what we find, and give you an honest assessment — whether that's a small repair or a full replacement. There's no pressure and the report is yours to keep.

5. Decide whether to file an insurance claim

Many homeowners policies cover sudden hail damage, but coverage depends on your specific policy, your deductible, and your carrier's own assessment. We can't approve or deny claims for your insurer, and we won't promise an outcome we don't control. What we can do is thoroughly document the damage and help you understand what to bring up with your adjuster so you can file an informed claim. There's more on this in our roofing FAQ.

6. Act before small damage becomes a big leak

Hail damage can sit hidden for months and then show up as a leak during the next heavy rain. If you suspect your roof was hit, it's worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later — catching it early keeps a small problem from turning into water damage inside your home.

If a storm just passed through your neighborhood, give us a call at 501-519-9169 or request a free inspection. We'll come out, take a careful look, and tell you straight what your roof needs.