Hail is part of severe-weather season across the Twin Cities, south metro and western Wisconsin. After a storm, the best first move is not to climb onto the roof—it is to document what happened, look for safe-to-see exterior clues and determine whether the property needs a closer inspection.
1. Document the storm while the details are fresh
Record the date, approximate time and what you observed. Photograph hail on the ground, damaged landscaping and visible exterior conditions if you can do so safely. This creates a simple record of what occurred at your property rather than relying on memory later.
2. Check the home from the ground first
Walk the property after conditions are safe. Look for missing or displaced shingles, dented metal, damaged gutters, torn window screens, cracked siding or debris around the home. Avoid climbing onto a wet or storm-damaged roof. Homeowners in communities such as Burnsville, Lakeville and Hudson face the same Upper Midwest mix of hail, wind, snow and freeze-thaw cycles, so the roof should be considered as part of the complete exterior system.
3. Do not assume every roof mark is hail damage
Asphalt shingles can show normal aging, manufacturing variation, foot traffic and older marks. Hail can also affect vents, flashings and other exterior components differently. A useful inspection separates storm-related observations from ordinary wear instead of treating every blemish as functional damage. For more detail, see our guide to hail damage on asphalt shingles.
4. Protect active leaks and interior finishes
If water is entering the home, prioritize limiting interior damage and arranging safe temporary protection. Move belongings away from the leak, collect water where practical and photograph affected ceilings or walls. Permanent exterior repairs should be based on an understood scope unless immediate work is necessary to prevent additional damage.
5. Get clear roof and exterior documentation
A professional inspection should identify the areas reviewed and explain meaningful findings in plain language. Photos are especially useful because they let you see conditions that are difficult to view from the ground. Solaris provides roofing inspections and replacement services and can also evaluate related siding, window and gutter concerns when a storm affects more than the roof.
6. Decide the next step from the condition of your property
Not every hailstorm means a roof needs replacement. Some properties may show little meaningful damage, while others can have concentrated or widespread effects. The appropriate repair, monitoring or replacement decision should follow the evidence on the specific home, the age and condition of the roofing system and the extent of the affected areas.
Minnesota and western Wisconsin storm planning
Solaris is based in Burnsville and serves homeowners throughout the Twin Cities, south metro and western Wisconsin. Explore our service areas or browse Solaris projects near you to see work completed in local communities.
Need a roof inspection after hail?
If your property was recently hit by hail or strong wind, Solaris can inspect the exterior, document what we observe and explain practical next steps without assuming replacement is automatically necessary.