Terra Nova Roofing & ConstructionHail Storm Damage Roof Inspection in Bergen County, NJ
Hail damage rarely leaks the next day, and it's hard to see from the driveway. Terra Nova Roofing & Construction, based in Garfield, inspects roofs across Bergen County after hail storms: every slope, the vents and flashing, gutters, skylights and siding, with photos and measurements you can use if you file a claim. Free, with the exact repair price in writing.
Licensed & insured • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700 • Locally owned in Garfield, Bergen County • Free inspection with photos • Hablamos español
Text photos of hailstones, dented gutters or car dents to 973-200-1617, with your town, and we'll schedule an inspection.
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Who does hail storm damage roof inspections in Bergen County?
Terra Nova Roofing & Construction does free hail storm damage roof inspections in Bergen County, NJ, from our base in Garfield: we check every slope for bruised and cracked shingles, test the vents, flashing, gutters and skylights for dents, and give you photos, measurements and a written estimate with the exact price. Repairs start from $950, and we can meet your adjuster. Call or text 973-200-1617.
What does a hail damage roof inspection include?
A proper hail inspection is done on the roof, slope by slope, not from a ladder at the gutter or a photo from the street. Here's what we check after a Bergen County hail storm and why:
| What we check | What hail does to it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shingles on every slope | Bruises, cracks and granule loss in round spots | Bruised shingles lose protection and age faster, even if they don't leak yet |
| Ridge and hip caps | Cracked or crushed caps along the peaks | Caps are thinner and bent, so they break easily |
| Roof vents and exhaust caps | Dents and dings on soft metal | Dent size helps show hail size; split vents can leak |
| Flashing and drip edge | Dents, bends, loosened edges | Damaged flashing at chimneys and walls is a leak waiting to happen |
| Pipe boots | Torn or split rubber collars | A direct path for water into the attic |
| Skylights | Cracked domes or glass, damaged frames and flashing | A cracked skylight leaks fast and is easy to miss from the ground |
| Gutters and downspouts | Dents along the top edge and face | Collateral damage that supports a hail claim |
| Siding, screens, AC fins | Cracks, holes, flattened fins | Shows the storm's direction and strength |
| Flat roof sections | Punctures or fractures in the membrane, damaged edges | Porches, rear additions and flat-roof two-families |
You get photos of each finding with a marker or tape for scale, a sketch of which slopes are affected, and a written estimate.
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail damage on asphalt shingles is often subtle. These are the signs we look for on a Bergen County roof after a storm:
Dark round spots
Places where hail knocked the granules off, exposing the black asphalt. Often random across a slope.
Soft bruises
Feel like a soft spot or slight dent when pressed; the mat underneath is fractured.
Cracks and splits
Larger hail can crack shingles, especially older, brittle ones and ridge caps.
Granules in gutters
A sudden load of granules at the downspouts after a storm is a common clue.
Dented metal
Round dents on vents, flashing and gutters. If metal on the roof is dented, the shingles took hits too.
A direction to it
Damage concentrated on the slopes that faced the storm.
Photos and more detail: what hail damage looks like on a roof.
Hail damage vs. normal wear: how to tell
Insurers pay for hail damage, not for old age, so telling the two apart matters. These are the differences we document:
| What you see | Points to hail | Points to wear or age |
|---|---|---|
| Granule loss | Random round spots, sharp edges | Even thinning across the whole roof, worst on the sunny side |
| Spots on the shingle | Soft bruise, fractured mat underneath | Blisters or pops with raised edges from heat or poor ventilation |
| Cracks | Fresh breaks, often star-shaped from impact | Long, weathered cracks with curling edges |
| Metal | Round dents on vents, flashing, gutters | Rust and corrosion, no dents |
| Pattern | Heavier on slopes facing the storm | Same everywhere, or worst where the roof bakes or stays shaded |
| Timing | Appeared after a known storm date | Developed over years |
When should you get a roof inspected after a hail storm?
Get the roof inspected within days of a hail storm if you see any sign of it, and before you report a claim. The sooner damage is photographed, the easier it is to tie to the storm date. You should book an inspection if:
- You saw hail at your house, or neighbors are talking about it.
- Cars, mailboxes, grills or patio furniture have new dents.
- Gutters or downspouts are dented, or granules piled up at the downspouts.
- Window screens are torn or siding is cracked.
- Your roof is older and you want to know if it held up.
Write down the storm date and time, and take your own photos of hailstones (with a coin for scale) and damaged items. Check your policy for how soon you must report damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to a roof?
Hail is a covered cause on most homeowners policies, so confirmed hail damage may be paid, but the adjuster decides how much of the roof is damaged and your deductible applies. Some policies have a separate wind and hail deductible, and some pay less for older roofs. What we do and don't do:
- We document the damage with photos and measurements and give you a written estimate.
- We can meet your adjuster and point out the damage, including test-square hits and dented metals. See what adjusters look for.
- We don't promise a claim result, negotiate your claim, or cover or waive your deductible.
Claim guides: roof insurance claims for hail.
Repairing or replacing a hail-damaged roof
Light, scattered hail damage can often be repaired; heavy bruising across several slopes usually means replacing the roof. Our starting prices: roof leak repair from $650, standard roof repair from $950, emergency roof leak service from $1,500. Damaged decking is extra. You get the exact price in writing before any work.
When a hail-damaged roof needs replacing, we:
- Tear off to the deck and replace any soft or damaged wood.
- Install ice & water barrier at the eaves, valleys and around penetrations, and synthetic underlayment across the rest.
- Replace dented vents, drip edge and flashing at chimneys, walls and skylights.
- Set up balanced ridge and soffit ventilation.
- Install new shingles to manufacturer specs and register the manufacturer warranty where it applies.
- Clean up daily, sweep for nails with a magnet, and walk the job with you at the end.
Most residential replacements take 1–3 days. Financing is available for larger projects; options and terms depend on the project and approval. See roof replacement in Bergen County and repair vs. replacement.
Hail damage inspections across Bergen County
We're in Garfield, so most of Bergen County is close by, from the river towns near us out to the northern boroughs. Hail damage inspections and roof work in nearby towns:
- Garfield · Hackensack · Paramus
- Plus Fair Lawn, Teaneck, Ridgewood, Lodi, Rutherford and the rest of the county
We also cover Passaic, Essex, Morris, Hudson and Union counties. Hablamos español. More: storm damage roof repair · free estimate.
What homeowners say about us
★★★★★ 5-star rated on Google
Book a Free Hail Damage Roof Inspection
Tell us your town and when the hail hit. We'll inspect every slope, photograph and measure the damage, and give you a written estimate with the exact price.
Bergen County homeowners call us when
- Hail hit the neighborhood
- Gutters, vents or cars are dented
- Granules piled up at the downspouts
- A leak showed up weeks after a storm
- The adjuster visit is scheduled
Request your free estimate
Fill this out and a member of our team will follow up within one business day.
✓ No-obligation quote · ✓ Licensed & insured · ✓ Your info is never shared
Hail Damage Roof Inspection Questions
Is a hail damage roof inspection free?
Yes. Our on-site inspection and written estimate with photos are free, and you get the exact price before any work.
How long does a hail inspection take?
It's a single visit for a typical Bergen County home. How long it takes depends on the roof's size, steepness and how many slopes, skylights and penetrations need checking.
Do I need to be home?
Not necessarily for the roof itself, but it helps if there's an interior stain or you want to go over the photos with us.
Can hail damage a roof without leaking?
Yes. Hail often bruises shingles without an immediate leak. The damage shows up later as granule loss, cracks and leaks.
What size hail damages shingles?
There's no single cutoff. Shingle age, type and the wind behind the hail all matter, so an inspection is the only real answer.
Will insurance pay for hail damage on my roof?
It may, if the adjuster confirms hail damage under your policy. We never promise outcomes, and the deductible applies.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most residential roof replacements take 1–3 days, depending on size and complexity.
What happens if it rains during the job?
We open only what we can close the same day and keep tarps ready. The roof is dried in before we leave.
Is financing available?
Financing is available for larger projects like a roof replacement. Options and terms depend on the project and approval.
What does the estimate include?
Photos and measurements of the damage, a list of what needs repair or replacing, and the exact price in writing.
Do you do hail inspections outside Bergen County?
Yes. We also cover Passaic, Essex, Morris, Hudson and Union counties.
¿Hablan español?
Sí, hablamos español. Llame o mande texto al 973-200-1617.
Updated November 2026 by the Terra Nova Roofing & Construction team, Garfield, NJ • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700