What Hail Damage Looks Like on Different Roofing Materials

Hail is less common in Perth than in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, but it is not unheard of. Severe thunderstorms and cold fronts can bring hail to the Perth metropolitan area, particularly during the cooler months from May to September. Even small hail falling at speed, often combined with strong winds, can damage roofing in ways that are easy to overlook from the ground. Because Perth homeowners rarely expect hail, damage often goes unnoticed until it leads to leaks, corrosion or a failed insurance claim window.

This guide explains what hail damage looks like on the roofing materials most common across Perth, including Colorbond and other steel roofing, concrete and terracotta tiles, asbestos-era cement sheeting, and the other components that sit on top of them. Knowing what to look for helps you act quickly, document the damage and protect your home.

Why Hail Damage Is Easy to Miss in Perth

Perth roofs spend most of the year baking under intense UV and heat. That weathering can make fresh hail marks harder to distinguish from age-related wear. In addition, the area's long dry spells mean a damaged roof may not leak for weeks or months, until the first heavy winter rain arrives. By then, the connection between the hail event and the leak is less obvious.

Hail damage also varies with the size of the stones, the speed of the wind, the angle of impact and the age and condition of the roof. A roof that has become brittle after 20 or 30 years is far more vulnerable than a newer one, even when the hail is relatively small.

Hail Damage on Metal Roofing (Colorbond and Zincalume)

Metal roofing is very common across Perth and generally performs well in storms, but it is not immune to hail. Damage tends to be both cosmetic and functional.

Dents and Dimpling

The most recognisable sign is dents, which appear as round or oval depressions in the sheet. On profiled sheeting such as Corrugated or Trimdek, dents often show up on the flat pans and ridges. They are easiest to see in low-angle light, such as early morning or late afternoon, when shadows reveal changes in the surface.

Paint and Coating Damage

A more https://roofrestorationsperth.com.au/roof-painting-and-sealing/ serious issue is damage to the protective coating. When hail strikes hard enough, it can crack or chip the paint finish and the metallic coating underneath. Look for:

Small chips or flaking where the colour has separated from the steel
Bright or dull spots where the metallic layer has been exposed
Early rust spotting, especially in coastal suburbs where salt air accelerates corrosion
Cracked sealant or distorted fixings around screws and flashings

Dents alone may not compromise a roof's watertightness, but a broken coating can lead to corrosion over time. This is particularly relevant in coastal areas such as Scarborough, Cottesloe, Rockingham and Mandurah, where salt exposure speeds up deterioration.

Hail Damage on Concrete Roof Tiles

Concrete tiles are one of the most widely used roofing materials in Perth, and they are relatively durable. However, they are rigid and can crack under direct impact.

Cracks and Fractures

Hail can cause hairline cracks, large splits or broken corners in concrete tiles. Cracks may be difficult to see from a distance, but they allow water to penetrate the tile and reach the underlay below. Check for tiles that look uneven, shifted or visibly fractured, and for fragments in gutters or on the ground below the roofline.

Surface Pitting and Glaze Damage

Concrete tiles have a painted or coated surface. Hail can chip this finish, leaving small pale or rough marks where the underlying concrete is exposed. This accelerates weathering and moss or lichen growth, and it can make tiles absorb more water.

Ridge Cap and Pointing Issues

Ridge capping tiles and the mortar or flexible pointing beneath them are vulnerable to impact and vibration. Cracked pointing, loose ridge caps or displaced tiles at hips and valleys are all warning signs worth inspecting after a storm.

Hail Damage on Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta tiles are popular on older Perth homes and in many heritage suburbs. They are strong in compression but more brittle than metal, so hail damage tends to be obvious when it occurs.

Cracked or shattered tiles with sharp, clean fracture lines
Chipped edges and corners, often along the exposed lower edge of each tile
Glaze spalling on glazed terracotta, where small flakes of the surface layer break away
Displaced tiles that have slipped after impact or wind loading

Older terracotta can also have hidden micro-cracking that only becomes obvious when water starts getting through. Matching replacement tiles for older roofs can be challenging, so early detection and repair are worthwhile.

Hail Damage on Cement Sheet and Older Roofing

Some older Perth homes still have cement sheet roofing, including products manufactured before the 1990s that may contain asbestos. Hail can cause cracking, holes or fragmentation in these sheets because they become brittle with age.

Important safety note: if you suspect your roof contains asbestos, do not climb on it, walk on it, scrub it or attempt repairs yourself. Damaged asbestos cement can release fibres. In Western Australia, work involving asbestos must follow the requirements set by WorkSafe WA and the relevant health and safety regulations. Engage a licensed professional to assess and manage any damage.

Damage to Other Roof Components

Hail rarely harms only the main roof surface. Check these additional components, as they often show damage first:

Gutters and downpipes: dents, bent edges and dislodged brackets
Skylights and roof windows: cracks, crazing and broken domes, especially in acrylic or polycarbonate units
Solar panels: cracked glass, damaged frames and compromised mounting points
Flashings and vents: bent or dented metal around chimneys, vents and wall junctions
Roof-mounted air conditioners and TV antennas: dented casings and bent fins

Dents on soft metals such as gutters, downpipes and vents are often a good indicator that hail has struck the roof, even if the main roofing material looks fine from the ground.

Signs of Hail Damage Inside Your Home

Some hail damage first appears inside the house rather than on the roof. Watch for:

Water stains or discolouration on ceilings and cornices
Bubbling or peeling paint near the roofline
Damp or musty smells in the roof cavity
Wet or compressed insulation
Daylight visible through the roof space

If you find any of these after a storm, arrange a professional roof inspection as soon as possible.

How to Check Your Roof Safely

Roofs are hazardous, and falls from height remain a leading cause of serious injury in Australian homes. You can gather plenty of information without leaving the ground.

Walk around the property and look for dented gutters, damaged fences, broken garden items and fallen tile fragments.
Use binoculars to scan the roof surface for cracks, dents and displaced tiles.
Photograph everything with date-stamped images, including close-ups and wide shots.
Check the roof cavity if it is safely accessible, using a torch to look for daylight, damp patches or water marks.
Contact a qualified roofing professional for a thorough, safe inspection, particularly if you see any signs of damage.

Insurance and Documentation Tips

If you believe hail has damaged your roof, check your home insurance policy promptly. Most insurers require claims to be lodged within a reasonable time after the event, and they may ask for evidence linking the damage to a specific storm. Useful steps include:

Record the date of the storm, and consider checking Bureau of Meteorology records for severe weather warnings in your suburb. Keep photographs and written inspection reports from a licensed roofer. Carry out only emergency repairs, such as tarping a leak, before the insurer has assessed the damage, and keep receipts for any temporary work. Always check what your policy covers, as cosmetic damage, such as dents that do not affect function, may be treated differently from structural damage depending on the policy wording.

Why Professional Inspection Matters

A trained roofer can identify damage that is invisible from the ground, including hairline tile cracks, compromised fixings, subtle coating failures and early-stage corrosion. They can also tell the difference between hail damage and ordinary ageing, which can be important for insurance purposes. Prompt repair is almost always cheaper than waiting. A small crack in a tile or a chip in a metal coating can develop into water ingress, ceiling damage, mould and timber deterioration if it is left through a Perth winter.

Protecting Your Perth Roof Going Forward

While you cannot prevent a storm, you can reduce the likelihood of serious damage. Schedule routine roof inspections, ideally before winter and after any significant storm. Keep trees trimmed so branches do not add to impact damage. Replace cracked tiles and worn sealants promptly, and consider impact-resistant roofing products if you are re-roofing or building. As severe weather patterns continue to be a concern across Australia in 2026 and into 2027 and beyond, staying proactive about roof maintenance is a sensible way to protect your home and your investment.

Final Thoughts

Hail damage looks different depending on what is over your head: dents and coating chips on metal, cracks and chipped surfaces on concrete and terracotta, and brittle fractures on older cement sheeting. Learning to recognise these signs, documenting them carefully and booking a professional inspection soon after a storm gives you the best chance of fixing problems early and keeping your insurance claim on solid footing. If you have had a recent storm in Perth, do not wait for the first leak to find out what the hail left behind.

Perth Roof Restoration & Repair

WA, 6004

(08) 6206 8072