Is Your Roof Ready for Spring Hail?

Spring hail is no joke in the Midwest.

If you’ve been in Indiana (or anywhere in the Midwest) for more than five minutes, you already know — spring weather can flip on you fast. One minute it’s sunny, next minute the sky turns green and you’re getting pelted with hail the size of golf balls.

And guess what takes the first hit?
Your commercial roof.

Hail doesn’t mess around. Especially on commercial buildings with flat or low-slope roofs. Even small hailstones can beat up your roof system — cracking membranes, denting metal, damaging fasteners.

And the bigger stuff? That can tear right through it.

The worst part? A lot of hail damage isn’t super obvious right away. It doesn’t always cause a leak that day.

But over time? Those little hits turn into big problems.

That’s why if you’re managing a commercial building — especially around Elkhart, South Bend, Goshen, or really anywhere in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, or Illinois — you need to know what hail can do, and how to get ahead of it.

What Hail Actually Does to Commercial Roofs (It’s Not Just Dents)

Most people think hail damage = a few dents in metal. But that’s just surface-level stuff. On commercial roofs? Hail can do way more damage than you’d expect — especially if your roof’s already a few years old.

Here’s what’s really happening when hail hits:

It hits hard. Even small stones pick up speed as they fall, slamming into your roof with some serious force. On single-ply membranes like TPO or EPDM, that impact can leave behind tiny punctures or stress cracks. They’re easy to miss at first glance — but water will find its way in, guaranteed.

If you’ve got a roof coating, hail can wear it down unevenly. That breaks the waterproof seal in certain spots. Same goes for older built-up roofs — hail can knock gravel loose, exposing layers underneath to the sun and rain.

Hail also weakens seams and joints. On flat roofs, where water already likes to pool, any hit near a seam or around flashing is trouble. One good storm can shift things just enough to let water sneak in over time.

And metal roofs? Sure, they’re tougher — but they’re not invincible. Hail can dent panels, bend seams, and loosen fasteners. Even if it doesn’t leak right away, all that movement adds up and shortens the life of your roof.

Bottom line: hail doesn’t need to break something wide open to cause damage. A bunch of “small” hits can add up fast — especially if no one checks the roof after a storm.

Why Most Hail Damage Gets Missed — Until It’s Too Late

Here’s the sneaky part about hail damage: it doesn’t always show up right away.

You don’t walk into your building the next morning and see water pouring from the ceiling (well, sometimes you do, but not always). Most of the time, the real damage is quiet. Slow. Hidden.

You might have a bunch of tiny punctures across the membrane — not enough to cause a leak that day, but just enough to let water seep in every time it rains.

Over a few weeks or months, that moisture builds up underneath the roof. Soaks into insulation. Gets trapped in layers. And suddenly, you’ve got mold, rot, and ceiling stains popping up way after the storm.

By that point? Insurance might not cover it anymore. And you’re left footing the bill for a full tear-off or major repairs — all from a storm you thought you “got through just fine.”

That’s the biggest issue we see. Property managers assume that no leak = no damage. But roofs don’t always work that way. Especially commercial ones. They’re built tough, but when hail finds a weak spot, it’ll exploit it slowly.

And honestly, a lot of hail damage needs a trained eye to spot. You might walk the roof and not notice anything off — meanwhile, a pro can see the membrane stress, bruising, or loose seams that are about to fail.

Moral of the story? Don’t wait for leaks. If you’ve had a storm with hail, get that roof looked at. Even if everything seems fine.

How to Prep Your Roof Before the Next Hailstorm Hits

Here’s the truth: you can’t stop hail from falling. But you can make sure your roof is ready to take the hit.

Prepping for hail isn’t about building some indestructible roof. It’s about tightening up weak spots, checking vulnerable areas, and making sure your system can bounce back when that first spring storm rolls through.

Start by getting a spring inspection. And not just a quick walkaround — bring in a professional who knows what to look for. They’ll check for open seams, worn-out flashing, spots where water might already be sneaking in. Those are the areas hail is gonna hit hardest. You want them sealed up and strong before the sky turns black.

Next, make sure drains and gutters are totally clear. If hail clogs them up — or if water can’t drain after a storm — you’ll end up with ponding, backups, and even more pressure on your roof system. Clean them out now while the weather’s decent.

If your roof already has some age on it, ask your roofer about reinforcing coatings. Certain roof coatings (like elastomeric or silicone) can add a protective layer that helps absorb hail impact and extend the life of your system. Doesn’t work for every roof type, but for some buildings, it’s a smart investment.

And don’t forget to take photos. Seriously. Before-and-after pics can make all the difference with insurance if you ever do need to file a hail damage claim. Document what the roof looks like now — clean, intact, in good shape. If a storm hits, you’ve got proof that any damage came from that storm, not some old issue.

Prepping your roof doesn’t have to be a huge project. But it does take a little action before the hail starts flying.

What to Do After a Hailstorm (Even If You Don’t See Damage)

Storm’s over. Sky clears up. You walk outside, maybe see a few dents on your truck, maybe a busted light fixture — but the roof looks fine from down here.

So you figure, “Cool, guess we dodged that one.”

But here’s the thing: just because you can’t see damage doesn’t mean it’s not there.

After any hailstorm — even a small one — you should treat it like a fire drill for your roof. Quick steps, no panic, just make sure nothing got messed up while you weren’t looking.

First, do a quick exterior check. Walk around the building and look for signs of impact on things like HVAC units, metal trim, vents, or anything else that’s roof-level and visible. If those things got dinged up? There’s a good chance your roof took a hit too.

Second, if it’s safe, get up on the roof (or call someone who can) and take a look. Don’t just glance from the ladder. Actually check for dents, punctures, scuffed-up membranes, loose fasteners, or shifted flashing. These little things might not cause a leak today — but give it a couple spring downpours? You’ll start seeing the effects.

Third, call a pro for a full inspection. Seriously. Even if you don’t see anything, it’s worth getting someone who knows what to look for to walk the roof. They might catch signs of damage early — stuff that’s covered by insurance now, but won’t be if you wait.

And finally, file a report. Doesn’t have to be formal — just take some photos, jot down the date of the storm, and make a note in your building maintenance log. If you do need to file a claim later on, this little bit of recordkeeping can save your butt.

Point is, storms are sneaky. Hail doesn’t always show up right away. But if you do a quick post-storm check and bring in the pros when it makes sense, you stay ahead of the damage — and you keep control of the situation.

Final Thoughts: Hail Happens — Be Ready for It

Spring hailstorms aren’t a matter of if, they’re a matter of when. Especially around Elkhart and the rest of the Midwest. You can’t stop the weather — but you can make sure your roof is ready to handle it.

Ignoring small hail damage now just means paying big later.

And assuming everything’s fine because there’s “no leak yet”? That’s the easiest way to get blindsided by costly repairs (or worse — a full replacement) down the road.

That’s where we come in.

At American Builders, we help commercial property owners and managers all across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois get ahead of hail season. We’ll inspect your roof, document any damage, handle repairs, and help you figure out if insurance should be involved.

Whether you’ve already been hit this year or just want to get ahead before the next storm — we’ve got your back.

Contact American Builders today and schedule a spring hail inspection.
Because by the time you see the damage… it’s already done.