Hail Damage Vs. Roof Blistering

Some homeowners who have not seen various types of roof damage may have difficulty distinguishing between blistering and hail damage. To the untrained eye, they seem to look the same. There are a few differences. In this article, we will explain the difference between hail damage and blistering. We will also cover how to prevent blistering on your roof.

First off, blistering is not covered by insurance. There is no insurance policy out there that does cover it. It is considered wear and tear. You may be able to get coverage through a warranty, but without that, you will have to pay out of pocket to fix this.

Blistering normally happens on asphalt roofs. During the manufacturing process, moisture gets trapped within the shingle itself. If the shingles on a roof have trapped moisture, they are likely to start blistering when the sun heats the roof. Also, if a roof does not have proper ventilation, shingles can blister because of intense heat.

There is no fool proof way to prevent blistering. The key is when the shingles are installed. Make sure you use a certified roofer and do not choose the cheapest roofing option.

The main differences between blistering and hail damage are: Location, physical appearance, and debris. Hail damage is usually scattered around the entire roof instead of just one location. Blisters remove asphalt down to the roof itself. Hail damage leaves a dent while blistering causes more debris than hail damage due to the popping.


The above photo is an example of blistering.

The above photo is an example of hail damage.


As always, please contact your Milestone Insurance agent if you have any more questions about your roof claim.