Hail Damage vs. Blistering: What’s the Difference?
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against various weather conditions: hailstorms, high winds, and relentless sun. But when issues arise, like damaged shingles, it can be tricky to assess what’s causing the problem. One common question homeowners have is, “Is this damage from a hailstorm or something else, like blistering?”
This guide will help you distinguish hail damage vs. blistering and their signs, common causes, and steps to prevent them.
Identifying Roofing Issues on Asphalt Shingles
can withstand severe weather conditions, from blistering heat to icy winters, making them an ideal choice for homes in various climates. However, they are also prone to cracks, small holes, or missing shingles.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some common roofing issues:
- Hail Damage: This is caused by hailstones hitting the roof, resulting in dents, bruises, or dislodged granules.
- Blistering: A result of moisture or trapped gas within shingles, causing small, bubble-like raised areas.
- Cracking: Often due to extreme weather fluctuations.
- Algae Stains or Mold: Found in shaded, damp roof areas.
- Curling Shingles: A sign of aging or poor ventilation.
While all these issues can compromise your roof’s integrity, we’ll focus specifically on hail damage vs. blistering and how to tell them apart.
A roofing contractor can help detect problems, such as hail damage or blistering, before they become severe. They may look for any signs of wear and tear, such as missing shingles, cracks, or unexpected granule loss.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Roof Inspections
What Is Hail Damage?
How Does Hail Affect Your Roof?
When hailstones hit your roof, they can cause visible dents and damage to shingles. Even small hailstones can knock off the protective granules on asphalt shingles, exposing the underlying material to UV rays and moisture.
Damages can lead to water leakage and further shingle deterioration. If you suspect hail damage, you may need a roof inspection, especially before filing an insurance claim.
Signs of Hail Damage:
- Bruising on Shingles: Run your hand over the shingle surface. Soft or “spongy” spots could indicate hail strikes.
- Granule Loss: Bald patches that expose the asphalt layer beneath.
- Cracks or Dents: Hail can cause noticeable dents or cracks in shingles.
- Damage to Gutters, Downspouts, or Siding: Hail often leaves marks on other exterior elements of your home.
Related: Storm and Hail Damage Roof Repair
Shingle Blistering
What Causes Shingle Blistering?
Shingle blistering, or roof blistering, forms when moisture or gas is trapped under roofing shingles due to extreme heat. It creates bubble-like raised areas on the shingle surface.
Common factors that can lead to shingle blistering on your roof are:
Prolonged sun exposure and trapped heat in your attic can cause your asphalt shingles to form bubbles or expand.
This expansion leads to the formation of blisters on the shingles. Eventually, they pop, resulting in:
- Discoloration and potential damage to a portion of the shingle
- The poor aesthetic appeal of your roof
- The roof’s integrity and lifespan compromising
Trapped moisture
Each blister will pop during extreme weather. If shingles are installed in wet conditions or moisture is trapped during manufacturing and installation, blisters may form. Then, the sun heats the shingles, causing trapped water to rise to the surface as a blister.
Leftover hydrocarbons
In shingle manufacturing, a crude oil byproduct called asphalt bitumen may leave excess hydrocarbons in shingles. These hydrocarbons cause micro-explosions when exposed to intense heat. It can dislodge protective granules and compromise shingle durability by exposing the bitumen/fiberglass mat underneath to weathering.
Related: Roof Repair Services with Elevated Roofing
Signs of Shingle Blistering:
- Tiny Circular Bubbles: Size varies from 1 to several millimeters
- Popped Blisters revealed the asphalt layer beneath.
- Localized Granule Loss where the blisters have popped.
How is Shingle Blistering Different from Hail Damage?
Weather events like hailstorms do not cause shingle blistering. Instead, shingle blistering is a long-term issue caused by manufacturing defects, prolonged solar exposure, and poor attic ventilation.
Why It Matters:
While shingle blistering may start as a cosmetic issue, popped blisters expose shingles to UV rays and moisture, potentially causing significant damage over time.
Roof Blistering vs. Hail Damage: Key Differences at a Glance
When homeowners are comparing roof blistering vs hail damage, the biggest giveaway is timing. Hail damage always follows a specific storm and shows up right away, with visible dents, bruises, or granule loss appearing on the same day the storm passes through.
Roof blistering, on the other hand, develops slowly over months or years as heat and trapped moisture build up beneath the shingle surface. There’s rarely a single event you can point to; it’s more of a gradual wear pattern than a sudden impact.
Location on the roof is another clue when sorting out hail damage vs blistering. Hail tends to strike every slope of the roof fairly evenly, since it falls from the sky and hits whatever is exposed. Blisters, however, often cluster on the sections of roof that get the most direct sun or sit above poorly ventilated attic space.
If you notice raised, bubble-like spots concentrated on your south-facing slope while the rest of the roof looks untouched, roof blistering is the more likely culprit.
Insurance Coverage for Roof Blisters vs Hail Damage Claims
Insurance coverage is where this distinction really matters. Hail damage is typically covered under a standard homeowners policy, since it results from a specific weather event. Roof blisters vs hail damage claims are handled very differently by insurers, though, since shingle blistering is generally classified as a manufacturing or maintenance issue rather than an unpreventable natural event.
That means most policies won’t cover blister-related repairs, which makes catching the early signs of shingle blistering and addressing ventilation or material problems before they spread especially important for your budget.
Can Shingle Blistering and Hail Damage Happen at the Same Time?
Yes. A roof already weakened by shingle blistering is more vulnerable to hail, since blistered shingles have thinner, more brittle spots where the protective granules have already been compromised. This means a single storm could cause more extensive hail damage to a roof that had blistering issues beforehand. It’s one more reason a professional inspection is worth scheduling regularly, not just after a storm.
If you’re unsure whether you’re looking at roof blistering vs hail damage on your own roof, the safest step is to have a trained eye take a look. A trained roofing contractor can tell the two apart quickly and can also flag if both issues are present, so you know exactly what you’re dealing with and what, if anything, your insurance is likely to cover.
Preventive Measures:
Here are some ways to protect your roof and address issues effectively.
- Regular Roof Inspections – Schedule inspections every 12 months or after a severe weather event. Spotting issues early can save you thousands in repair costs.
- Invest in Durable Roofing Materials – Roofing materials, like GAF asphalt shingles, are designed to withstand extreme weather, including hail and intense heat.
- Enhance Ventilation – Ensure your attic has proper ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Maintain Your Gutters – Regularly cleaning your gutters can channel water away from the roof and avoid pooling that can compromise the shingles.
- Install Hail-Resistant Shingles – Consider impact-resistant shingles designed explicitly for hail-prone areas.
Related: Why Asphalt Shingles
Remediation:
If you suspect hail damage or blistering on your roof:
- Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
- Complete Necessary Repairs: Address minor issues like popped blisters or dented shingles.
- File an Insurance Claim: Work with an experienced roofing contractor to guide you through the claims process.
Related: Restoration for Insurance Claims
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection with Elevated Roofing
Whether your shingles are affected by hail or show signs of blistering, timely action is necessary. Elevated Roofing offers free roof inspections to homeowners in Dallas and surrounding areas.
Our contractors are trained to identify roof damage and provide the best solutions to maintain your home.
