Hail can move through a Michigan neighborhood in only a few minutes, but the effects on an asphalt-shingle roof may last for years. Damage is not always obvious from the ground. Small dents, bruising, cracks, or lost granules can weaken shingles and leave them more vulnerable to rain, wind, freeze-thaw cycles, and future storms.
This matters in our part of Michigan, where spring and summer thunderstorms can bring hail along with strong wind and heavy rain. The Michigan Hazard Analysis documents hail as a recurring natural hazard across the state, including reported hail events in Lapeer County.
The right response depends on the condition of the roof. Some roofs need a repair. Some require complete replacement. Others may still be structurally sound and could qualify for GoNano Structural Roof Rejuvenation.
See If Your Roof Qualifies
Call Michigan Nano Roofing at 810-545-6364 to request an assessment.
What hail can do to an asphalt-shingle roof
Hail damage is caused by repeated impact. When hailstones strike a shingle, they can disturb the protective granules, bruise the asphalt beneath the surface, or crack the shingle mat.
Common signs include:
- Dents or bruises: Circular depressions may appear where hailstones struck.
- Soft spots: Bruised shingles can feel softer than surrounding areas, although homeowners should not walk on the roof to check.
- Granule loss: Loose granules may collect in gutters, downspouts, or around the foundation.
- Cracks: Shingle edges, tabs, or ridge caps may split after a severe storm.
- Dark or shiny areas: These may indicate that the protective granule layer has been knocked away.
- Dented metal: Gutters, vents, flashing, and downspouts can show round impact marks.
- Interior water stains: New stains on ceilings, upper walls, or attic surfaces may indicate that the roof’s water-shedding ability has been compromised.
Some hail damage is cosmetic, while other damage is functional. Cosmetic damage may affect appearance without immediately allowing water into the home. Functional damage affects the roof’s ability to protect the structure. A professional inspection is the safest way to determine the difference.
What to do after a hailstorm
Your first priority should be safety. Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Hail can leave shingles slippery, and hidden damage may make walking surfaces unstable.
Instead:
- Look from the ground. Use binoculars or a phone camera with zoom to check for missing shingles, dark marks, or damaged roof accessories.
- Check gutters and downspouts. Look for unusual amounts of granules or dents in accessible metal.
- Inspect the attic and ceilings. Watch for stains, damp insulation, dripping, or musty odors.
- Photograph visible damage. Take pictures of the roof from the ground, exterior walls, gutters, vehicles, and any interior water intrusion.
- Write down the storm date. Note when the hail occurred and, if possible, the approximate size of the hailstones.
- Arrange a professional roof evaluation. A roof-level inspection may identify damage that cannot be seen from the yard.
- Review your insurance policy. Check hail coverage, deductibles, documentation requirements, and the time limit for reporting a claim.
The National Weather Service hail size guide uses common objects such as quarters, golf balls, and baseballs to describe hail diameter. In Michigan, the National Weather Service considers hail one inch in diameter or larger to meet the severe-thunderstorm threshold. That does not mean every quarter-size hailstorm damages every roof, but it is a good reason to arrange an inspection.
How hail damage affects an insurance decision
Homeowners often feel pressure to make a quick decision after a storm. A contractor may recommend replacement, while an insurance adjuster may use different terms to describe the same damage.
Before signing a contract, ask for:
- Clear photographs of each damaged roof slope
- A written description of the damage
- An explanation of whether the damage is cosmetic or functional
- A list of damaged accessories, such as vents, flashing, or gutters
- The recommended solution and why it is appropriate
- Your policy’s deductible and claim requirements
Do not assume that an insurance claim automatically means a full roof replacement is necessary. At the same time, do not assume that a treatment can solve serious storm damage.
If shingles are missing, cracked throughout the roof, actively leaking, sagging, or otherwise failing, the roof may need repair or replacement. Michigan Nano Roofing does not repair active leaks, replace shingles, replace decking, or rebuild failed roofing systems. A failed roof does not qualify for GoNano treatment.
Could an aging roof still qualify for rejuvenation?
Hail damage and roof aging are related, but they are not the same problem.
An older asphalt-shingle roof may be losing flexibility and becoming more vulnerable to weather stress even if it has not suffered severe storm damage. If the shingles remain structurally sound, GoNano Structural Roof Rejuvenation may be an option worth evaluating.
GoNano is not a conventional paint, generic sealant, or surface coating. Structural Roof Rejuvenation is designed to work within the shingle structure rather than simply forming a film on top. The treatment is applied only after the roof is evaluated and determined to be a suitable candidate.
For qualified roofs, the application can often be completed in approximately 90 minutes on average, depending on the roof. Potential project savings can be as much as 80–85% compared with replacement, but actual pricing and savings vary by roof size, condition, access, and project requirements.
Get a Quote
Call Michigan Nano Roofing at 810-545-6364 to request an assessment. Michigan Nano Roofing serves eligible properties within a 25-mile radius of its Dryden, Michigan business location. Service availability depends on the property address and must be confirmed.
What UL 2218 means for hail resistance
UL 2218 is a recognized impact-resistance standard for prepared roof-covering materials. According to UL Solutions, the test uses steel balls dropped from specified heights to simulate the energy of hail impacts. Roofing products are classified from Class 1 through Class 4, with Class 4 representing the highest classification in this system.
Class 4 shingles are often discussed by homeowners who want additional impact resistance. However, no roof is completely hail-proof, and a rating should not be treated as a guarantee against all storm damage.
GoNano’s approved testing materials reference:
- UL 2218 for impact resistance
- ASTM D3161 for wind resistance
- UL 790 for fire resistance
GoNano states that it has invested more than $1 million in testing. These results apply to the tested materials and the specific treatment system, not automatically to every roof.
Before relying on any class rating for insurance or construction purposes, ask for the applicable product documentation and confirm the requirements with your insurance carrier. Insurance discounts, eligibility, and policy terms vary.
Myth vs. fact: hail damage and roof rejuvenation
Myth: If hail hit my roof, I automatically need a new roof.
Fact: Severe or widespread damage may require replacement, but the correct answer depends on an inspection. Some roofs need localized repairs, while structurally sound aging roofs may have other options.
Myth: If I do not see a leak, there is no damage.
Fact: Hail can bruise shingles or remove granules without causing an immediate leak. Damage may become more serious after additional rain, wind, sun exposure, and Michigan freeze-thaw cycles.
Myth: GoNano repairs a failed roof.
Fact: GoNano Structural Roof Rejuvenation is intended for qualified, structurally sound asphalt-shingle roofs. It is not designed to repair active leaks, major storm damage, missing shingles, structural failure, or a roof that requires replacement.
Myth: UL 2218 means a roof cannot be damaged by hail.
Fact: UL 2218 measures impact resistance under a defined test method. It can help homeowners compare performance, but no roofing product eliminates all risk from severe weather.
Hail damage questions to ask before choosing a solution
Before you approve any roofing work, ask:
- Is the roof structurally sound?
- Are there active leaks or missing shingles?
- Is the damage localized or widespread?
- Are the shingles cracked, bruised, or losing granules?
- Does the roof need repair before any treatment?
- What documentation supports the recommended solution?
- Is the proposed product tested under UL 2218 or another recognized standard?
- What warranty applies to this specific product and roof?
- Is the roof actually a candidate for treatment?
Michigan Nano Roofing’s process starts with qualification. We do not treat every roof, and that is intentional. The goal is to help homeowners in the Dryden area make an informed decision: whether that decision is rejuvenation, repair, or replacement. Michigan Nano Roofing serves eligible properties within a 25-mile radius of its Dryden, Michigan business location. Service availability depends on the property address and must be confirmed.
Get your roof evaluated
Hail damage can be difficult to judge from the ground, especially on an aging asphalt-shingle roof. If a recent storm affected your home, document what you can safely see, review your insurance policy, and arrange a professional evaluation before making a major roofing decision.
Learn more about GoNano Structural Roof Rejuvenation, or review our service-area information.
Get a Quote
Call Michigan Nano Roofing at 810-545-6364 to request an assessment and find out whether your existing asphalt-shingle roof may qualify for Structural Roof Rejuvenation. Michigan Nano Roofing serves eligible properties within a 25-mile radius of its Dryden, Michigan business location. Service availability depends on the property address and must be confirmed.