What to Do After Hail Damages Your Roof
After a hailstorm, stay off the roof, check for damage from the ground and inside, document it, stop any active leaks, and contact your insurance company promptly. A professional inspection confirms what was damaged and what it will take to repair.
- Check from the ground. Look for dented gutters, downspouts, vents and siding, and shingle granules in the gutters. Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof.
- Check inside. Look for ceiling stains, drips or damp insulation in the attic. Some leaks appear only after the next rain.
- Document and protect. Photograph damage inside and out and note the storm date. Make only temporary repairs, such as tarping, to stop further damage, and keep your receipts. The Indiana Department of Insurance advises waiting on permanent repairs until your insurer has inspected.
- Report it promptly. Contact your insurance company or agent soon after the storm. Policies set deadlines for reporting damage, so check yours.
- Schedule a professional inspection. Kusiak inspects the roof and attic, photographs the damage, and provides a written, itemized estimate.
More guidance: Indiana Department of Insurance
What a Kusiak Storm Damage Inspection Includes
A Kusiak storm damage inspection checks more than the shingles. We look at every part of the roof system that hail and wind affect, including the attic, because some damage only shows from inside.
- Shingles: bruising, cracks, granule loss and lifted or missing shingles
- Flashing, vents, skylights and chimneys
- Gutters, downspouts and drip edge
- Attic: roof deck, moisture, insulation and ventilation
- Photo documentation of all damage found
- A written, itemized repair or replacement estimate
Why Insurance Adjusters Know Kusiak
Insurance adjusters across Northwest Indiana know Kusiak Construction for documentation that goes beyond what insurers require. We inspect the attic as well as the roof, photograph the damage, and prepare clear, itemized estimates, so the adjuster sees exactly what was damaged and what the repair involves.
With your permission, Kusiak can be on site when your adjuster inspects to show the documented damage and answer questions about the repair scope. Coverage decisions are made by you and your insurance company.
How Roof Insurance Claims Work in Indiana
Most Indiana homeowners policies cover sudden hail and wind damage, minus your deductible. How much your policy pays depends on its terms, so it helps to know four things before you file.
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value. A replacement cost value (RCV) policy pays to replace damaged roofing with new materials; insurers often hold back part of the payment until the work is finished. An actual cash value (ACV) policy subtracts depreciation for the roof’s age, so older roofs may receive much less.
- Your wind and hail deductible. Some policies use a flat deductible; others use a percentage of your home’s insured value for wind and hail. Your declarations page shows which you have.
- Cosmetic-damage exclusions. Some policies exclude dents that do not affect how the roof performs.
- Reporting deadlines. Policies set time limits for reporting damage. Report promptly.
Indiana law protects you. Contractors may not offer to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible, and they may not act as your public adjuster (IC 24-5-11-10.5). Questions or complaints about an insurer can go to the Indiana Department of Insurance.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy determines your coverage.
How to Spot a Storm Chaser in Lake County, Indiana
Storm chasers follow hail and wind events, sign up as many homes as possible, and move on. Watch for these warning signs before you sign anything:
- Knocking on your door right after a storm with a “free inspection”
- Pressure to sign the same day
- An offer to pay or waive your deductible (illegal in Indiana)
- No permanent local office, or out-of-state vehicles
- A request for a large payment before work begins
- Paperwork that hands control of your insurance claim to the roofer
Why local matters: Kusiak Construction has worked from a permanent Hammond address since 2000, carries ten times the required liability insurance, and stocks materials at its own warehouse. We will be here after the job is done. See our license, insurance and bonding details.
Repair or Replace After Storm Damage?
Repair usually makes sense when damage is limited to one area and the roof is less than 10 to 15 years old. Replacement is usually the better value when damage is spread across the roof, the roof is 15 to 20 or more years old, shingles are brittle and crack when lifted, or repairs would cost 30 to 40 percent of a new roof. Kusiak will tell you when a repair is enough. If replacement makes more sense, see our roof replacement page.
Why Kusiak Construction for Storm Damage Repairs
- Local since 2000. Our crews live and work in Lake and Porter counties.
- CertainTeed ShingleMaster. Certified roofing crews and CertainTeed materials.
- Documentation adjusters trust. Roof and attic inspections, photos and itemized estimates.
- Emergency service. Tarping and temporary repairs to stop leaks fast; materials stocked at our Hammond warehouse.
- Licensed, bonded and insured, with ten times the required liability coverage.
Signs of Hail Damage You Shouldn’t Ignore
After a hailstorm, your roof may look fine from the ground—but even minor hail impacts can lead to serious damage over time. At Kusiak Construction, we help homeowners across Northwest Indiana spot early warning signs of roof damage before they turn into costly repairs.
🔍 Common Signs of Hail Damage:
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Bruised or Missing Shingles
Hail can cause visible dents or soft spots on asphalt shingles. These bruises weaken the protective surface and often lead to leaks if left untreated.
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Granule Loss
If you find granules in your gutters or at the base of downspouts, your shingles may have lost their UV protection—leaving your roof vulnerable to weathering.
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Cracked or Curled Shingle Edges
High-impact hail can crack shingle corners or curl their edges, especially on older roofs.
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Dented Flashing or Metal Components
Check vents, flashing, chimney caps, and gutters for small dings or pits. These are telltale signs of hail impact.
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Ceiling Stains or Attic Moisture
Water infiltration often begins subtly. If you notice new water stains indoors, moisture in the attic, or musty odors after a storm, hail damage may be the cause.
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Damage to Nearby Property
If your siding, windows, vehicles, or landscaping took a hit during the storm, chances are your roof did too—even if the damage isn’t obvious at first glance.
Hail damage is often hard to see from the ground. A professional inspection is the most reliable way to confirm it.
👉 Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection Today
Winter Leaks and Ice Dams
Ice dams form when attic heat melts snow on the roof and the water refreezes at the colder edge. Water backs up under the shingles and leaks into ceilings and walls. Kusiak repairs ice dam damage and checks attic insulation and ventilation, the usual cause, during every inspection.
Storm Damage Roof Repair Across Lake County, Indiana and Porter County
Lake County, Indiana Contractors Page
Hammond Storm Damage Roof Repair
Older bungalows and brick duplexes on tight lots. We repair storm-damaged shingles, chimney flashing and aging decking, minutes from our Summer St. warehouse. Visit Hammond Contractor Page
Munster Storm Damage Roof Repair
Brick ranches and custom homes. We inspect for hail bruising and wind-lifted shingles and document damage for your insurance claim. Visit Munster Contractor Page
Highland Storm Damage Roof Repair
Brick ranches and bungalows. Common storm repairs include shingles, ridge caps and roof vents. Visit Highland Contractor Page
Griffith Storm Damage Roof Repair
Ranches and Cape Cods. We repair hail-damaged shingles, skylights and gutters and stop active leaks quickly. Visit Griffith Contractor Page
Schererville Storm Damage Roof Repair
Subdivision and custom homes. We match architectural shingles so repairs blend with the existing roof. Visit Schererville Contractor Page
Dyer Storm Damage Roof Repair
Larger homes with complex rooflines, dormers and steep slopes, where hail damage hides in valleys and around penetrations. Visit Dyer Contractor Page
St. John Storm Damage Roof Repair
Large, steep-pitched roofs. We inspect ridge vents, valleys and flashing closely after hail and wind events. Visit St. John Contractor Page
Crown Point Storm Damage Roof Repair
Historic homes and newer estates. Repairs are matched to the home’s style and existing materials. Visit Crown Point Contractor Page
Merrillville Storm Damage Roof Repair
Ranches, split-levels and two-story homes. We repair wind and hail damage and check attic ventilation. Visit Merrillville Contractor Page
Gary Storm Damage Roof Repair
Tudors and modest older homes. We weatherproof storm-damaged roofs and repair aging flashing. Visit Gary Contractor Page
Whiting Storm Damage Roof Repair
Dense lakefront neighborhoods where wind off Lake Michigan lifts shingles. We focus on drainage and moisture protection. Visit Whiting Contractor Page
Hobart Storm Damage Roof Repair
Cape Cods and lakeside homes. Storm inspections, documentation for insurance, and repairs. Visit Hobart Contractor Page
Valparaiso Storm Damage Roof Repair
Craftsman, Victorian and newer homes with steep rooflines and gables. We repair hail and wind damage. Visit Valparaiso Contractor Page
Portage Storm Damage Roof Repair
Post-war and newer homes. We repair storm damage and check underlayment and attic ventilation. Visit Portage Contractor Page
👉 Request Your Free Hail Damage Inspection Today
Roof Repairs | When a new roof isn’t the best solution
Dave Kusiak established Kusiak Construction as a roofer and an expert in roofing repairs. For Kusiak, Roof repairs and maintenance require commitment from a dedicated team. While at times, a new roof might be the best approach, Kusiak’s roof repair team can offer maintenance & affordable solutions to get the most of your existing roof.
Roofing Repairs | Maximize the Life of Your Roof
Kusiak’s roofing repair team is ShingleMaster Certified and can fix everything from leaking roofs to soffit repairs, cracked shingles, and damaged wood. Roof repair services include gutter repairs and cleaning, flat roof repair, roof inspections, and dish removal.
