Hail damage on a metal roof is usually dents, not leaks. The metal stays whole, the water still runs off, and the roof keeps working. The real trouble starts when a stone bends a seam or a ridge cap, or chips the paint so bare metal can rust.
The short version
- Hail dents metal, but it rarely punches through it.
- A dent in the middle of a panel is mostly a looks problem. A bent seam or a chipped coat of paint is a water problem.
- Soft metal around the house, like gutters and vents, shows how hard the storm hit.
- Your policy may treat dents differently from leaks, so read it before you file.
- A walk on the roof tells you more than a look from the yard.
Does hail puncture a metal roof?
Hail almost never punches through a metal roof. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) says that when hail strikes metal, the metal is observed to dent (opens in a new tab) rather than crack or puncture.
IBHS also fired more than 9,000 artificial hailstones at a test house. The damage to both metal sections was cosmetic in nature, leaving visible dents but no punctures (opens in a new tab). That is one test on one structure, so treat it as a pattern and not a promise.
When are dents only cosmetic?
Dents are cosmetic when the shape of the panel and its paint are still intact, because then the roof still sheds water the way it did before. IBHS says dents change how a roof looks, but there is currently no evidence that dents impact the functionality (opens in a new tab) of a roof.
Its roof guide for metal panels agrees. Hail may cause aesthetic damage, but the integrity of the metal roof is typically maintained (opens in a new tab). Keep in mind that this is a general finding. It does not promise that your roof came through fine, which is why the walk-over matters.
One more thing. The type of panel changes how much it shows. IBHS notes that denting can be worse in preformed shapes (opens in a new tab) of metal, such as metal shingles. And in the same hail test, dents were larger and deeper on metal laid over old shingles than on metal fastened straight to the roof deck.
When does hail damage a metal roof for real?
Hail does real harm to a metal roof in three places: where the paint cracks, where a seam or ridge cap bends, and where a stone knocks a fastener loose. In each one, water has a way in that it did not have before.
- Cracked or chipped paint. IBHS warns that if the coating on a panel is damaged, corrosion could occur (opens in a new tab). A chip in the middle of a dent is a small thing that turns into rust.
- Bent seams and ridge caps. These are the parts that hold the panels together and keep water out of the joints. A crushed seam can open a gap you cannot see from the ground.
- Loose fasteners and flashing. Vents, pipe boots and edge metal take dents first. When they bend, the seal around them can break.
We see storms show up the weak spots of a roof more than they make new ones. A roof with high-placed fasteners or reused flashing is the one that leaks after a hailstorm, and the hail just gets the blame.
How can you tell how bad the storm was?
Look at the soft metal first. Gutters, downspouts, the air conditioner cabinet and metal roof vents dent more easily than a roof panel. University of Missouri Extension says the number of dents in metal roof vents is a good indicator of hail amounts and size (opens in a new tab).
A lot of dents in the gutters and none on the roof tells you the stones were big enough to matter. A few dents on a vent and clean gutters usually means a light storm. Take dated photos of both either way.
For what to look for on shingles and gutters as well, see our piece on what hail damage looks like. For the steps an inspector follows, read how a roof is inspected for hail damage.
What do you do after hail hits a metal roof?
Check the seams, the ridge, the paint and the attic, in that order, and write down what you find. Here is how the checks compare.
| What you find | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow round dents, paint unbroken | Looks only | Photograph it, watch it |
| Chipped paint or bare metal in a dent | Rust can start | Get it looked at soon |
| Bent seam, ridge cap or edge metal | A way in for water | Have it repaired |
| Stain on the ceiling or damp insulation | Water is already in | Call right away |
Inside the house, look in the attic with a flashlight the next day, and again after the first hard rain. Water spots on the underside of the roof boards are the sign. Stay off the roof yourself, because wet painted metal is slick.
Our free roof inspection includes a walk on the roof, and the report comes with photos. We keep it separate from any proposal, with no obligation to book work.
Will insurance pay for dents on a metal roof?
It depends on the policy, and the adjuster and the policy wording decide, not us. Some policies carry an exclusion for cosmetic damage to metal roofs, which means dents that do not let water in may not be paid for. Others do not.
That is why the order matters. Find out what your policy says about cosmetic damage and about the wind and hail deductible before you call. We cover the basics in does homeowners insurance cover hail damage. The Nebraska Department of Insurance notes that after a claim is filed, an adjuster inspects and prepares an estimate (opens in a new tab), and that your insurer handles the claim under the policy terms.
We cannot tell you what a claim will pay, and we do not deal with your insurer for you.
Common questions
Should I replace a metal roof with hail dents?
Usually not, if the dents are only on the flat of the panels and the paint is whole. A repair is the better first look. If the damage is spread across seams and edges, replacing panels may make more sense than patching.
Can hail dents be repaired?
Sometimes. This Old House says denting is common on metal roofs but does not always require fixing (opens in a new tab). It also says standing seam roofs are difficult to repair, and that replacing whole panels is typically the better option than patching.
Is a metal roof still worth it in hail country?
For many homeowners, yes, since a dent is easier to live with than a punctured roof. If you are weighing it, our metal roofing installation page covers what the job includes.
How soon should I check after a hailstorm?
The same week. Rust from a chipped coat takes time, but a bent seam can leak with the next rain, and photos taken soon after the storm are easier to tie to it.
