How to Spot Roof Storm Damage After a Tulsa Hail Storm
Tulsa sits in the southern Great Plains, which means hail storms are not rare — they are a scheduled event. After a significant storm, the difference between a $500 repair and a $15,000 full replacement often comes down to how quickly you catch the damage.
This guide covers what to look for, how to look safely, and when to call a roofer.
Check the ground first
Before you look up, look down. Walk your property and check for:
- Granules in the gutters or downspout splash zones. Asphalt shingles shed granules when they take a hit, and those granules collect in gutters after a storm.
- Dented or cracked gutter edges. If aluminum gutters have fresh dents, your shingles likely took hits too.
- Damaged window screens or dented AC units. These are easy-to-see confirmation that hail was large enough to cause shingle damage.
What to look for from the ground
You do not need to climb a ladder to get a first read. Stand back from your house and look at each slope using binoculars or your phone camera at full zoom.
Signs of impact damage:
- Dark spots or discoloration scattered across shingles in no particular pattern. Hail hits are random; wind damage is directional.
- Missing granules leaving a lighter-colored patch on a shingle.
- Cracked or split shingles — on older roofs, a large hailstone can crack brittle shingles outright.
Signs of wind damage:
- Lifted or curled shingle edges along a rake or ridge.
- Missing shingles, usually in groups or rows rather than random singles.
- Shingles folded back at a corner and still attached — these will leak the first time it rains.
Check the flashing and chimney
Flashing — the metal strips around your chimney, skylights, and roof penetrations — is often the first place a roof starts leaking after storm stress. From the ground, look for visible gaps, pulled-up edges, or obvious rust around any roof penetration.
Look inside your attic
If you have attic access, check for:
- Daylight coming through the roof deck boards — a sure sign of a gap.
- Water stains or wet insulation below any roof penetration.
- Sagging or soft spots in the deck when you press gently (only if you can stand on joists safely).
When to call a roofer
If you found granules in the gutters, spotted discoloration across more than a few shingles, or noticed any lifted edges, call a licensed roofer for a professional inspection. A good contractor will walk your roof, document what they find with photos, and give you an honest assessment — no obligation.
Ironclad Roofing provides free roof inspections across Tulsa and can meet your insurance adjuster on-site. Call or text any time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk on my roof to check for damage myself?
It is safer to check from the ground using binoculars or a phone camera on a long stick. Wet or hail-cracked shingles can be slippery and brittle. Leave the roof walk to a licensed contractor.
How soon after a storm should I file an insurance claim?
Most Oklahoma homeowners policies require you to report damage within one year, but acting within 30 days gives you the best shot at a full payout and prevents secondary water damage from an unpatched area.
What if the adjuster says there is no damage but my roofer found some?
You can request a re-inspection and bring your roofer to the meeting. A licensed contractor can document their findings in writing, which carries weight with adjusters and, if needed, a public adjuster or attorney.