How hail damages roofs
Tile roofs
Hailstones can crack, chip or break tiles, particularly older concrete tiles that have become brittle. Cracks may be fine and hard to see from the ground. Ridge caps and their pointing can also be damaged.
Steel roofs
Steel can dent, and large hail can damage the coating or deform sheets at laps and fixings. Dents are often cosmetic, but coating damage can lead to corrosion, especially near the coast.
Gutters and downpipes
Gutters can be dented or crushed, and hail can block downpipes, causing overflows when the rain arrives.
Skylights and translucent sheets
Plastic skylights and translucent roofing are particularly vulnerable and can crack or shatter.
Solar panels and roof equipment
Panels, air-conditioning units and vents can be damaged. Electrical equipment should be checked by a licensed electrician.
What to do after a hailstorm
1. Stay safe
Do not climb onto the roof. Hail-damaged tiles may be loose and steel can be slippery. Watch for damaged powerlines.
2. Check from the ground and inside
- Look for broken tiles, dents, damaged gutters and debris.
- Check ceilings for new stains.
- Look in the roof space with a torch for daylight or water.
- Check skylights and solar panels for visible damage.
3. Photograph everything
Take photos of hailstones (with something for scale if possible), roof damage, gutters, cars and outdoor items, and any interior water damage. Record the date and time.
4. Contact your insurer
Report the damage promptly and ask what they need. Many insurers arrange an assessment.
5. Make safe
If the roof is leaking, arrange a temporary repair or cover through a roofer, or the State Emergency Service in an emergency.
6. Get an inspection and report
A roofer should inspect the whole roof, including areas not visible from the ground, and provide a written report with photos describing hail damage, its extent and recommended repairs or replacement.
Repair or replace after hail
Minor damage, such as a few cracked tiles or a dented gutter, is usually repaired. Widespread damage, such as many broken tiles across all planes or extensive coating damage on steel, may warrant replacement, particularly if the roof was ageing. Insurers generally decide based on the damage and policy terms. See storm damage roof replacement.
Hidden damage
Hail can create hairline cracks in tiles that only leak after further weather. It can also damage coating on steel without obvious dents. An early inspection helps catch these before they cause interior damage, and supports an insurance claim made close to the event.
Insurance tips
- Read your policy's storm and hail provisions.
- Report promptly.
- Keep all photos, receipts and reports.
- Ask for the roofer's report to describe cause and extent clearly.
- Understand any excess.
Choosing a roofer after hail
After major hail events, demand spikes and door-knockers appear. Check QBCC licences, get written quotes and be cautious of large upfront payments. See roofing regulations in QLD.
Building resilience
If replacing, consider robust materials, good installation and sarking or a blanket as a second line of defence. No roof is hail-proof, but some details reduce the consequences.
What a roofer looks for after hail
A hail inspection is more detailed than a quick look from the gutter. The roofer typically checks each roof plane, because damage is often worse on the side that faced the storm. On tile roofs they look for star cracks, chips at tile edges and broken ridge caps, and they may lift a few tiles to look for hidden fractures. On steel roofs they look at the pattern and depth of dents, any damage to the paint finish, and the condition of laps, ridge capping and flashings. Gutters, downpipes, skylights, vents and the roof space are checked too.
The written report should describe what was found on each part of the roof, include dated photos, and separate hail damage from any older wear. That separation matters for insurance: assessors often need to know which damage the storm caused and which was already there. A clear report reduces back-and-forth and helps the claim move faster.
Related reading
See what causes roof damage on the Sunshine Coast and roof repairs.
General information for Sunshine Coast property owners, not advice about your particular roof. Rules, products and programs change; confirm with the authority named, or with Sunshine Coast Council or Noosa Shire Council, before acting.