What to Do After Hail Damages Your Roof or Gutters in Denver
Last updated: November 2026 · By Steve Nickerson, Founder of BrokerBee
After hail hits your Denver home, check for damage safely from the ground, take dated photos of your roof, gutters, siding, windows and outdoor equipment, and cover any active leaks. Then have a reputable local roofer inspect the roof and contact your insurance company if there’s damage. Be cautious with door-to-door storm crews. BrokerBee Home Concierge, a free service for Denver homeowners, can connect you with vetted local roofers and gutter pros.
Quick Checklist: What to Do After a Hailstorm
Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
1. Stay safe | Wait until the storm has fully passed. Don’t climb onto the roof. |
2. Check from the ground | Look at gutters, downspouts, siding, window screens, the AC unit and the roof from the yard |
3. Document everything | Take dated photos and videos, including hailstones next to a coin or ruler for size |
4. Stop active leaks | Place buckets inside, move valuables, and have a pro tarp the roof if needed |
5. Get a roof inspection | Have a reputable local roofer inspect the roof up close |
6. Review your policy | Check your deductible and claim process before filing |
7. Contact your insurer | File a claim if the inspection finds damage |
8. Vet before you sign | Check reviews, local presence and a written contract before hiring |
What Should I Do Right After a Hailstorm?
Right after a hailstorm, make sure everyone is safe, then check your home from the ground. Look for dents in gutters and downspouts, cracked or chipped siding, torn window screens, damaged AC fins and missing roof shingles. Take dated photos of everything, including hailstones beside a coin for size. If water is coming inside, catch it and call a pro to tarp the roof.
Don’t climb onto the roof yourself. Wet, damaged roofs are slippery, and a roofer can inspect it safely.
How Do I Know If Hail Damaged My Roof?
Signs of hail damage on a roof include dark spots where granules have been knocked off the shingles, cracked or missing shingles, dents in metal vents and flashing, and shingle granules collecting in gutters or at the bottom of downspouts. Some damage isn’t visible from the ground, and leaks can appear weeks later. A professional roof inspection is the most reliable way to know.
Signs of Hail Damage Around Your Home
Hail often leaves easier-to-see damage on softer materials. If these show dents or cracks, the roof may be damaged too.
Where to Look | Signs of Hail Damage |
|---|---|
Gutters and downspouts | Dents, dings or loose sections |
Roof vents and flashing | Dents in metal pieces on the roof |
Shingles (from the ground) | Missing pieces, dark spots, granules in gutters |
Siding | Cracks, chips or holes, especially on the side facing the storm |
Window screens and frames | Tears, holes or dents |
AC condenser | Bent or flattened fins |
Decks, fences and paint | Chipped paint, dents or splatter marks |
Skylights | Cracks or chips |
Vehicles and outdoor furniture | Dents that confirm hail size and impact |
Should I File an Insurance Claim for Hail Damage?
File an insurance claim for hail damage if a professional inspection confirms damage and the repair cost is likely to exceed your deductible. Review your homeowners policy first. Some policies have a separate wind or hail deductible, sometimes set as a percentage of the home’s insured value. Document the damage, keep receipts for emergency repairs, and contact your insurer promptly.
BrokerBee Home Concierge does not provide insurance or legal advice. For questions about your coverage, contact your insurance company or agent.
How Long Do I Have to File a Hail Claim in Colorado?
The deadline to report hail damage is usually set by your homeowners policy. Many policies require notice of wind or hail damage within one year of the storm, but terms vary, so check your policy or ask your insurer. Filing sooner is better: damage is easier to document, hidden leaks get found earlier, and Denver roofers book up quickly after major storms.
How Do I Avoid Roofing Scams After a Hailstorm?
To avoid roofing scams after a hailstorm, be cautious with contractors who knock on your door, pressure you to sign immediately, ask for large payments up front, or offer to cover your insurance deductible. Choose a local roofer with verifiable reviews and a physical address, and get a written contract before work begins. Colorado has specific consumer protections for residential roofing contracts.
Watch for these red flags:
Showing up uninvited right after a storm
Pressure to sign the same day
Asking for full payment before work starts
Offering to pay or waive your insurance deductible
No local address, reviews or verifiable business details
Asking you to sign paperwork you don’t fully understand, especially anything about your insurance claim
What Should a Roofing Contract Include in Colorado?
A roofing contract in Colorado should include the full scope of work, the materials to be used, the total price and payment schedule, the expected start and completion dates, and warranty details. Colorado law requires a written contract for residential roofing work and gives homeowners certain rights to cancel, including within 72 hours after receiving written notice that an insurance claim for the roofing work is denied in whole or in part. Read the contract fully before signing.
Roof replacements in Denver typically need a permit from the City and County of Denver. Your roofer should handle it.
Do Dented Gutters Need to Be Replaced?
Dented gutters don’t always need to be replaced, but they should be checked. Small dents may be cosmetic. Large dents, loose seams or bent downspouts can slow drainage and cause overflow, leaks or water pooling near the foundation. A gutter pro or roofer can tell you whether repair or replacement makes sense. Dented gutters are also useful evidence of hail size for an insurance claim.
Should I Get Impact-Resistant Shingles in Denver?
Impact-resistant shingles are worth considering in Denver because the Front Range gets frequent hail. Class 4 shingles are rated for the highest level of impact resistance under the UL 2218 standard. They usually cost more up front, but some insurers offer premium discounts for them. Ask your insurer and roofer whether they make sense for your home.
Who Do I Call After Hail Damage in Denver?
Need | Who to Call |
|---|---|
Roof inspection and repair | Roofer |
Active leak | Roofer for an emergency tarp, plus a water damage pro if there’s interior damage |
Dented gutters or downspouts | Gutter specialist or roofer |
Cracked siding | Siding contractor |
Broken windows or screens | Window repair company |
Damaged AC fins | HVAC technician |
Insurance questions | Your insurance company or agent |
Not sure where to start |
How Can BrokerBee Home Concierge Help After a Hailstorm?
BrokerBee Home Concierge helps Denver homeowners find vetted local roofers, gutter pros and other specialists after hail damage. Tell the concierge what happened, and a real person reviews the request and recommends a local professional. BrokerBee checks reviews and talks with businesses before recommending them, which matters when storm crews flood the area. BrokerBee Home Concierge is free for homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do first after hail damages my house?
A: Make sure everyone is safe, then check the outside of your home from the ground. Take dated photos of damage to the roof, gutters, siding, windows and AC unit. Cover any active leaks and contact a reputable roofer for an inspection.
Q: Can hail damage a roof without visible signs?
A: Yes. Hail can knock granules off shingles or crack them in ways that aren’t visible from the ground, and leaks can appear later. A professional roof inspection is the best way to know.
Q: Will my insurance cover hail damage?
A: Many homeowners policies cover hail damage, but coverage, deductibles and terms vary. Some policies have a separate wind or hail deductible. Review your policy and contact your insurance company with questions.
Q: How long do I have to file a hail claim in Colorado?
A: Your homeowners policy usually sets the deadline. Many policies require notice of wind or hail damage within one year of the storm, but terms vary. Check your policy and file sooner if possible, while damage is easier to document.
Q: Is it a red flag if a roofer offers to cover my deductible?
A: Yes. Be cautious with any roofer who offers to pay or waive your insurance deductible. Colorado has consumer protections for residential roofing contracts that address this practice.
Q: How do I find a trustworthy roofer in Denver after a hailstorm?
A: Look for a local roofer with recent reviews, a physical address and a written contract. Avoid pressure to sign quickly. BrokerBee Home Concierge, a free service at homeconcierge.team, can recommend vetted local roofers for Denver homeowners.
About the Author
Steve Nickerson is the founder of BrokerBee and has a background in real estate. BrokerBee operates BrokerBee Home Concierge, a free service that helps Denver homeowners get repairs, maintenance and home projects done through vetted local professionals.
Related Reading
What Is a Free Home Concierge? How Denver Homeowners Get Home Projects Done
Who Do I Call for Home Repairs in Denver? A Guide to the Right Pro for Every Problem
How Do I Know If a Contractor Quote Is Fair? A Denver Homeowner’s Guide
Hail Hit Your Home?
What do you need around the house?
Tell BrokerBee Home Concierge at homeconcierge.team or call 877-272-2779. A real concierge will review your request and match you with a vetted local roofer or gutter pro.
This is how relationships compound.
