Wind & Hail Damage Roof Repair — BC Storm Response

Yes, more than most homeowners realize. Fraser Valley summer thunderstorms regularly produce hail in the 1.5cm to 4cm range, with occasional larger events. The June and August peak season generates most claims, with secondary activity in shoulder season storms. Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, and the eastern Fraser Valley see the most frequent hail. Vancouver proper and the North Shore see less. Hail size matters less than you think. Even pea sized hail driven by sustained wind strips granules from aging asphalt shingles. Larger hail (golf ball plus) creates direct impact damage that compromises shingle integrity immediately.

Five signs to check after any hail event. First, granule accumulation in gutters and downspouts heavier than normal. Hail strips granules and they wash off in the next rain. Second, visible round impact marks on shingle surfaces, especially on north and west exposures that took the brunt of the storm. Third, dented metal flashing, vent caps, and gutters. Hail leaves dents that you can find by close inspection. Fourth, lifted or cracked shingles where impact has compromised integrity. Fifth, interior leaks within days or weeks of the storm event, often at points where damage is not yet visible from outside. After any hail event with stones over 1.5cm, schedule a professional inspection within 30 days.

Both are typically covered under named perils on standard BC homeowner policies. The differences are in how the damage presents and how adjusters evaluate it. Wind damage shows as lifted, missing, or torn shingles, often at the edges of the roof and at high exposure points. Hail damage shows as round impact marks, granule loss patterns, and dents on metal components. Most major windstorms in BC also bring some hail and rain, so claims often include both. Documentation matters in either case. Date of storm event. Multi angle photos. Professional inspection report. We handle the documentation side as part of the repair scope.

Within 30 days is the standard guidance, sooner if there is active interior water entry. Most BC home insurance policies require prompt notification, and claims filed months after the event face more scrutiny because adjusters question whether the damage actually came from the claimed storm. The exception: if you discover damage during a routine inspection that you can tie to a specific recent storm, file immediately even if the storm was weeks ago. Document everything. Storm date from Environment Canada or news reports. Multi angle photos. Professional inspection report distinguishing storm damage from pre existing wear.

Depends on the extent of damage and your policy structure. If the roof has direct hail or wind damage to a substantial percentage of slopes (typically 25 plus percent of total roof area), most carriers pay for full replacement because spot repair would be impractical and would not match. If damage is limited to one or two slopes, carriers usually pay for slope replacement only. Replacement cost vs actual cash value matters. ACV policies pay depreciated value (much less for older roofs). RCV policies pay full replacement cost. Check your policy declaration page. Older roofs over 20 years old often face additional scrutiny on age based depreciation.

Pea sized (under 1cm) hail rarely damages shingles in good condition but accelerates aging on already weathered roofs. 1cm to 2cm hail produces visible impact marks on architectural shingles and significant granule loss on aged or 3 tab shingles. 2cm to 4cm hail causes direct damage including cracks, splits, and underlayment exposure. Over 4cm produces immediate failure of any asphalt roof. Metal roofs handle small hail well but dent visibly under larger stones. Synthetic slate and stone coated steel are the most hail resistant residential options.

Highly variable based on damage scope. Small wind damage (a few lifted or missing shingles): $300 to $800. Moderate wind damage (one slope partial replacement): $2,500 to $6,000. Major wind damage (multiple slopes, structural repair): $8,000 to $25,000+. Hail spot repair (replace damaged shingles): $400 to $1,500. Hail full slope replacement (when damage is widespread): $3,500 to $10,000 per slope. Insurance claims usually cover the work less the deductible. Out of pocket cost depends on your specific policy and damage scope.

Standard inspections catch obvious hail damage. Storm specific inspections look for the patterns hail produces (impact marks, granule loss patterns, dent distribution) more systematically. After a confirmed hail event with stones over 1.5cm, request a storm specific inspection rather than just a standard one. Cost is similar ($400 to $700) but the documentation is structured for insurance claim support. We provide storm specific inspection reports calibrated to BC adjuster requirements.

Possibly, but it gets harder with each passing month. The challenges. Connecting current damage to a specific storm event becomes harder over time. Adjusters question whether intermediate weather, normal wear, or other factors caused the damage. Documentation requirements get stricter. If you discover what looks like hail damage during a routine inspection, document the date you discovered it, identify the most likely storm event from local weather records, and file the claim with full documentation. Many insurers will still process claims within 12 months of the storm event with adequate documentation.

After storms with sustained winds over 80 km/h or hail over 1.5cm, yes. After garden variety rainstorms, no. The cost benefit is clear. A $400 to $700 storm inspection that catches damage early lets you file a clean insurance claim while documentation is fresh, schedule repairs before secondary damage develops, and prevent the next rain event from turning a repairable issue into a major claim. We schedule storm specific inspections within 5 to 10 days of the event for most properties. Active leak situations get prioritized to same day or next day response.