Hail season in St. Louis does not always look dramatic from the street. Plenty of roofs take a hit and still look "fine" from the driveway. That is exactly when homeowners get surprised six months later by a leak that started as soft spots nobody photographed.
This is what we look for after a storm, and how trade and national coverage of weather and home systems lines up with what we see on ladders.
Soft spots beat surface drama
The public picture of hail damage is cracked shingles everywhere. Real post-storm work is quieter: soft spots in the shingle mat, granule loss that will not show until the next hard rain, and bruised tabs that still hold a shape in bright sun. We walk the same path every time so those soft spots do not get missed because we were only looking for theatrical cracks.
If you want a calm, non-sales walkthrough of how a household should think about roof timing, the national desk piece a seasonal calendar for the roof is a useful read. It is not a substitute for a local inspection. It is a good way to stop guessing.
Wind and water paths
Hail rarely travels alone. Wind lifts, ridge issues, and gutter overflow after a storm change how water moves. Attic ventilation and moisture after big weather events are part of the same story for the house under the roof. Home Comfort Dispatch has a clear field take on attic ventilation and roof health that matches what we see when a quiet roof still has a wet sheathing problem.
For moisture that shows up as indoor air issues rather than a ceiling stain, Healthy Home Headlines covers roof leaks and hidden moisture in plain language.
What we photograph after a storm
- Shingle fields, ridge, and valleys for soft spots and granule loss
- Flashing at walls, chimneys, and penetrations
- Gutter seams, hangers, and downspout discharge after heavy flow
- Any prior patch work that failed under new weather
We already published the full photo order for a normal inspection in how we inspect a roof. Storm season is that same discipline, with more attention to impact marks and wind-driven entry points.
Insurance is a process, not a guess
We document so you can have a real conversation with your carrier. We do not invent damage, and we do not talk you into a replacement you do not need. If the roof is sound, we say so. If it is not, the photos do the arguing.
If you want a second set of eyes after the next cell moves through, call us for an inspection. We will walk it the same way every time.