What Homeowners Need to Know

Living in Chicago means bracing for unpredictable weather, especially in the spring when hailstorms are most common.

While a sudden hailstorm might seem like a brief burst of bad weather, it can leave behind serious damage—especially to your roof.

At ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba, we have years of experience handling water damage due to damaged roofs throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to identify hail damage, what steps to take if your home is affected, and how to protect your property moving forward.

How Hailstorms Impact Chicago Homes

The Chicago area is hit by hailstorms multiple times each year, making roof damage a common concern for homeowners.

In the Chicago area, “big hail days” typically happen during the spring months, when storm activity is at its peak.

What’s more, the Chicago metro area has the highest concentration of risk in the nation for severe hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds, with millions of homes potentially affected and over $1 billion in estimated reconstruction costs, according to recent reports.

With risks this high, you should address the hail damage before it leads to bigger problems.

What to Do If You Suspect Hail Damage: A Step-by-Step Guide

If a hailstorm just swept through your neighborhood and you’re worried about your roof, don’t panic—but don’t wait too long, either.

Even minor damage can lead to serious issues if ignored.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to protect your home and start the repair process the right way.

1. Look for Visible Signs of Damage

Start by inspecting your home from the ground. You don’t need to climb up on your roof—in fact, we recommend you don’t for safety reasons.

Instead, take a walk around your property and look for any telltale signs of roof damage that you can see from the ground.

What hail damage looks like on different roof types:

Asphalt shingles: Look for small, circular bruises where the granules have been knocked off. You may also see cracked, curled, or missing shingles, or spots exposing the black underlayer.
Metal roofing: Check for visible dents or dimples, especially on flashing or ridge caps.
Wood shingles: Look for splits or cracks, often with sharp edges and some discoloration around the damage.

 

Other signs you can spot from the ground:

Dented gutters, downspouts, or flashing
Granules collecting in gutters or near the foundation
Pieces of shingles or roofing material in the yard
Damage to siding, window screens, or outdoor furniture

 

Secondary signs inside your home:

Water stains or brown spots on ceilings or walls
Musty smells, which could indicate trapped moisture or mold
Unexpected spikes in your energy bill, possibly due to damaged insulation

 

While some damage will be immediately visible, other signs may take time to show up, especially if the hail only knocked loose a few granules or weakened shingles beneath the surface.

Over time, this kind of hidden damage can lead to secondary issues like roof leaks, water stains, or even mold growth inside your home.

Take clear photos of everything you see—outside and inside.

Even if the damage looks minor, documenting it now can help tremendously when filing an insurance claim later.

2. Contact Your Insurance Company

After spotting signs of hail damage, contact your homeowner’s insurance provider to report the issue and start the claims process.

The sooner you notify them, the sooner you can begin the claims process and potentially prevent further damage from worsening while you wait.

Be prepared to describe what you found and ask about your coverage and next steps.

This is also a great time to reach out to our team here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba. We can assist with documenting the damage, communicating with your adjuster, and helping you navigate the insurance process smoothly.

3. Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba

At ServiceMaster by Zaba, we’ve handled hail, storm, and water damage across Chicago for years, so we know how stressful these situations can be.

Our goal is to help you get things back to normal as smoothly as possible.

Here’s what we do:

Perform a comprehensive roof inspection
Document all damage to support your insurance claim
Create a detailed, policy-aligned repair estimate
Communicate directly with your adjuster to streamline the process
Provide emergency roof protection if needed

 

Pro Tip: Restoration professionals often spot hidden damage that others miss—and that can make a big difference in your claim.

4. Restore Your Property

Once your insurance claim is approved, our team will get started on repairs.

Depending on how much damage the storm caused, we’ll take care of everything from the roof surface to any interior issues. Our goal is to restore your home safely, thoroughly, and according to code.

Here’s what that might include:

Replacing damaged shingles or other roofing materials
Repairing gutters, flashing, or vent covers
Fixing any water damage inside your home

 

Pro Tip: After the work is complete, schedule regular roof inspections—especially after heavy storms. Catching minor damage early can save you from bigger repairs later.

Dealing with Water Damage Due to Hail, We Can Help!

Hailstorms are a real threat in Chicago, especially in the spring. While damage may not be obvious right away, it can lead to costly problems if left unchecked.

The key is acting quickly: inspect safely, file your claim, and bring in a trusted restoration team.

We’re here to help you recover quickly and protect your home for seasons to come.

You can count on ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba for expert storm damage restoration services—available 24/7 across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Call now: 773-647-1985.