What Should I Inspect After a Quad Cities Hailstorm?

Start With a Wide View of the House

Before walking directly up to the siding, step back and look at each side of the house as a whole.

A wider view can reveal storm damage that is harder to notice when standing a few feet from the wall.

Look for:

• Loose or missing siding
• Sections that appear uneven
• Dented gutters
• Loose fascia
• Missing soffit panels
• Broken windows
• Tree limbs or debris against the house
• Anything that looks different than it did before the storm

Take photos before moving or repairing anything if it is safe to do so.

1. Inspect Vinyl Siding for Cracks, Holes, and Chips

Vinyl siding can react to hail differently depending on the size of the hail, wind speed, temperature, age of the siding, panel thickness, and angle of impact.

Look carefully for:

• Cracks
• Holes
• Chipped edges
• Split panels
• Loose panels
• Panels that have unlocked
• Impact marks near panel edges
• Damage around corners, windows, and doors

Hail damage on vinyl siding may be most noticeable around the edges and lower portions of individual panels.

Learn more about siding options from Suburban Construction .

Do Not Assume Every Small Mark Is Hail Damage

Dirt, old scratches, lawn equipment damage, previous repairs, and normal wear can sometimes be mistaken for storm damage.

The strongest clue is change.

If you have older photos of the house, compare them to what you see after the storm.

Consistent impact patterns across the side of the home that faced the hail can also help distinguish recent storm damage from unrelated wear.

2. Look for Dents in Metal Siding and Exterior Components

Steel, aluminum, and other metal exterior components may show hail damage differently than vinyl siding.

Instead of cracking, metal surfaces may show:

• Dents
• Dings
• Distorted profiles
• Paint or finish damage
• Repeated circular impact patterns

Look at the wall from several angles. Shallow dents may become easier to see when sunlight reflects across the surface.

3. Check Window Screens and Screen Frames

Window screens can be one of the easiest places to notice evidence of hail.

Check for:

• New tears
• Small holes
• Stretched screen material
• Dented screen frames
• Frames knocked out of alignment

Screen damage does not automatically mean the window itself is damaged, but it is a good reason to inspect the surrounding glass, frame, and trim more carefully.

4. Inspect Window Glass, Frames, and Exterior Trim

Large hail or wind-driven hail can affect more than screens.

Inspect windows for:

• Cracked or broken glass
• Chips along glass edges
• Dented exterior trim
• Loose aluminum wrapping
• Damage to frames
• New gaps around the opening

Check the inside of affected windows too, especially if heavy rain accompanied the hail.

Explore replacement window options from Suburban Construction .

5. Inspect Gutters for Hail Dents

Gutters are often one of the easiest exterior components to inspect for hail impact.

Look for:

• Dents on the front face
• Dents along the bottom
• Sections that appear twisted or distorted
• Loose hangers
• Gutters pulling away from fascia
• Damage at corners

Hail dents in gutters can provide useful clues about how heavily one side of the home was hit.

Learn more about seamless gutters and gutter protection .

6. Check Downspouts for Impact Damage

Downspouts present broad vertical surfaces that can make hail damage easy to spot.

Look for repeated dents, crushed corners, loose sections, or areas that were knocked out of alignment.

Also make sure downspout extensions still direct water away from the foundation.

7. Inspect Aluminum Window and Door Wraps

Custom-bent aluminum around windows and doors can show hail impacts clearly.

Check for:

• Small dents
• Repeated impact patterns
• Creases
• Loose pieces
• Open seams
• Finish damage

These areas can sometimes provide additional evidence of the direction and intensity of a hailstorm.

8. Look at Fascia and Rake Trim

Fascia and rake trim are exposed at the roofline and can take direct hail impact.

Step back from the house and look for:

• Dents
• Bent sections
• Loose aluminum
• Sections pulling away
• Exposed wood

Binoculars can be useful for viewing these higher areas safely from the ground.

9. Inspect Soffit Panels

Soffit sits underneath the roof overhang, so it may receive less direct hail impact than other components.

Wind during a hailstorm can still damage it.

Look for:

• Loose panels
• Missing panels
• Dents
• Panels hanging down
• Open areas along the roofline

10. Inspect Exterior Doors and Storm Doors

Entry doors and storm doors can also receive hail damage.

Check for:

• Dents
• Broken decorative glass
• Damaged storm-door glass
• Torn screens
• Dented aluminum frames
• Damage to surrounding trim

Make sure the door still opens, closes, and latches properly after the storm.

See exterior door options from Suburban Construction .

Check Garage Doors Too

A garage door provides a large surface area for hail impact.

Look across the panels from an angle to identify dents that may not be obvious when viewed straight on.

Also check windows and perimeter trim around the garage-door opening.

Check Outdoor Equipment and Metal Surfaces for Clues

Other objects around the property may help you understand how severe the hail was.

Look at:

• Air-conditioning units
• Metal patio furniture
• Grills
• Mailboxes
• Downspouts
• Vehicles
• Metal sheds

Repeated fresh dents across exposed surfaces can be another clue that the property experienced significant hail impact.

Look for Damage on the Side the Storm Hit Hardest

Hail rarely strikes every side of a home equally.

Wind direction can cause one or two elevations to receive much more impact than the others.

If you see significant damage on one side, inspect the siding, windows, screens, gutters, trim, and doors on that elevation especially carefully.

What About the Roof?

Roof damage is often one of the biggest concerns after a hailstorm.

Homeowners should not climb onto the roof to look for it.

From the ground, you may be able to see:

• Missing or displaced shingles
• Damaged roof-edge materials
• Tree limbs on the roof
• Obvious debris

Hail damage to roofing materials can be difficult to evaluate from the ground, so contact a qualified roofing professional if you have concerns.

Check Inside for Water After the Storm

Hailstorms often arrive with wind-driven rain.

Check the interior around windows, doors, ceilings, and exterior walls for:

• Fresh water stains
• Damp drywall
• Wet trim
• Moisture around window sills
• New ceiling discoloration

Photograph fresh water intrusion before it dries whenever possible.

Photograph the Entire Exterior

Documentation can be extremely useful after a hailstorm.

Take wide photographs of:

• The front of the house
• The back of the house
• Both side elevations
• Detached garages or sheds

Then take close-up photos of individual areas showing visible damage.

This gives you both context and detail.

Keep Any Siding Pieces That Come Off

If hail or wind knocks a piece of siding or trim off the house, keep it if it can be retrieved safely.

That material can sometimes help identify:

• The manufacturer
• The siding profile
• The approximate color
• The panel thickness
• Other product characteristics

Product identification can become particularly important when an older siding system needs repair.

Can One or Two Damaged Siding Panels Be Replaced?

Sometimes.

If the damage is isolated and compatible replacement material is available, individual panels may be replaceable without removing the entire siding system.

The challenge is often matching older material.

Manufacturers discontinue colors and profiles, and years of sun exposure can make existing siding look different from brand-new material even when the original color is still manufactured.

What if You Cannot Identify the Existing Siding?

Product identification services such as ITEL reports may be useful when the manufacturer, product line, or color of existing siding is unknown.

A sample of the existing material can be analyzed to help identify potentially compatible products.

An ITEL report does not guarantee a perfect visual match, especially when older siding has weathered or faded, but it can provide useful information when evaluating repair options.

Hail Damage Does Not Automatically Mean the Entire House Needs New Siding

The extent and location of the damage matter.

One damaged elevation is different from widespread damage across the entire house.

A few repairable panels are different from a siding system where replacement products are no longer available.

A professional inspection should help homeowners understand the actual condition rather than assuming every hailstorm requires full replacement.

What Should You Do if You Think You Have an Insurance Claim?

If you believe the hail caused damage that may be covered by your homeowners insurance, review your policy and contact your insurance company for guidance on its claim process.

Keep photographs and notes showing what you observed after the storm.

A contractor can help inspect and document exterior conditions, but the insurance carrier determines coverage according to the terms of the policy.

Be Careful With Immediate Door-to-Door Storm Offers

Significant Quad Cities hailstorms can bring a large number of contractors into affected neighborhoods.

Some are established local companies.

Others travel from storm to storm.

Before signing an agreement, ask:

• Where is your permanent office?
• How long have you operated in the Quad Cities?
• Who will actually install the work?
• Who handles service later?
• Can I verify your insurance?
• What workmanship warranty or guarantee is included?

Storm damage may create urgency, but it should not eliminate normal contractor research.

Avoid "Sign Right Now" Pressure

Emergency temporary repairs may need to happen quickly when the home is exposed to additional damage.

Permanent replacement decisions usually deserve more thought.

Homeowners should have an opportunity to understand the damage, insurance process, products, contractor, installation scope, and warranties before signing a major agreement.

Why a Permanent Local Contractor Can Matter After a Hailstorm

Storm repairs may involve products that remain on your home for decades.

It is reasonable to ask who you will call if you need service several years later.

Suburban Construction operates from a permanent Davenport facility at 3602 North Harrison Street.

Homeowners can visit the local showroom, meet the team, compare exterior products, and know where the company is located before and after the project.

Take a closer look at our Davenport showroom .

Local Experience Helps With Older Quad Cities Homes

Hail damage can become more complicated when the home's existing siding, windows, or exterior trim are older.

Older Quad Cities homes may have discontinued siding, previous repairs, unusual trim details, multiple exterior materials, or products that are no longer manufactured.

Experience with local homes can be useful when determining what appears repairable and where replacement may need to be considered.

Suburban Construction Has Served the Quad Cities Since 1985

Suburban Construction Inc. has worked on exterior remodeling projects throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, LeClaire, Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, and surrounding communities for more than four decades.

Our exterior work includes replacement windows, siding, entry doors, patio doors, seamless gutters, gutter protection, soffit, fascia, and exterior trim.

Learn more about Suburban Construction's history in the Quad Cities .