Hail claims for Columbus commercial roofs
Central Ohio sits inside a corridor that sees hail-producing thunderstorms most springs and summers, and Franklin County has had its share of hail events large enough to bruise membrane, crack coatings, and dent metal edge and rooftop equipment. Hail damage on a low-slope commercial roof is often invisible from the ground and easy to miss from a quick walk of the deck — the marks show up as granule loss on modified bitumen, spatter patterns on TPO and EPDM, and dents on rooftop units, vents, and standing-seam panels.
We inspect the full roof surface after a reported hail event, document impact patterns by zone, and note which findings are consistent with hail versus normal foot traffic or age-related wear. That distinction matters — insurers scrutinize hail claims closely, and a documentation package that only shows generic wear will get pushed back. We're your roofing contractor, not a public adjuster — we build the record; the claim decision and negotiation sit with your carrier and, where retained, your public adjuster.
Hail impacts read differently by membrane type. On TPO and PVC, look for circular indentations and cracked heat-weld seams. On EPDM, hail often leaves bruising that isn't visible until the membrane is probed. On built-up and modified bitumen, granule displacement exposes the underlying asphalt to UV, accelerating failure well after the storm has passed. We test-cut suspect areas where needed and photograph the cross-section as part of the record.
Hail dents HVAC housings, condenser fins, vent caps, and skylight domes before it damages the membrane itself. We inventory equipment condition across the roof, since dented curbs and cracked skylight domes are frequently the first visible sign that a hail event was severe enough to also affect the membrane underneath and around them.
We reference NWS storm reports for Franklin, Delaware, and surrounding central Ohio counties to confirm the date, hail size, and path of the reported event, and we align that record with the observed damage pattern on the roof. A claim that ties documented hail size to the specific damage found on each zone holds up better under adjuster review than a general description of "recent hail."
Depending on severity, hail repair can range from spot patching of impact sites to a full membrane replacement where granule loss or seam cracking is widespread. We scope the complete repair — including any matching, flashing, or accessory replacement the damage triggers — so the estimate reflects the actual condition of the roof rather than only the most obvious impact marks.
Questions
Hail damage on a low-slope roof is rarely obvious from the ground. Common signs include granule loss on modified bitumen or built-up systems, dented rooftop units and vent caps, cracked skylight domes, and bruising on EPDM that shows only when the membrane is probed. A roof inspection after any significant hail event is the most reliable way to catch it before it develops into a leak.
As soon as it's safe to access the roof. Most Ohio commercial policies have a reporting window measured in months, not years, and documentation closer to the event date is easier to match against the weather record. Waiting also gives exposed areas more time to deteriorate before repair.
That depends on the extent and pattern of the damage and the terms of the policy. Isolated impact damage may be repairable; widespread granule loss or seam failure across the membrane can support a replacement recommendation. We document the condition and provide a scope; the coverage determination is the carrier's.
No. We're your roofing contractor, not a public adjuster or negotiator — we inspect, document, and produce a scope that reflects the true extent of the hail damage. Filing and negotiating the claim is between the owner, the carrier, and any public adjuster the owner has retained.
Share the building address, the date of the hail event, and what you're seeing on the roof or inside the building. We will schedule an inspection and put together a documented condition report.
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