Address: 2404 E State St, Hermitage, PA 16148, United States
Phone Number: (724) 877-7380
Email Address: donkovac018@gmail.com
Business Hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM To 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Pennsylvania may not sit in Tornado Alley, but hailstorms across the western part of the state do real damage. Great Lakes air masses collide with warm Gulf moisture over the Allegheny Plateau and produce severe thunderstorms with hail as large as golf balls or bigger. Big River Roofing has repaired hail-damaged roofs throughout Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, and Beaver Counties for years. From subtle granule loss to fractured shingle mats, our certified team identifies hail damage that most homeowners and even some insurance adjusters miss. Call (724) 877-7380 for a free hail damage inspection.
This service supports our broader storm damage roof repair work across Western Pennsylvania. After a hailstorm, the clock starts on insurance deadlines and on water intrusion through cracked shingles. Quick documentation and professional repair protect both your home and your settlement.
Hail damage is rarely as dramatic as wind damage. You will not always see broken shingles or holes in the roof after a Western PA hailstorm. The damage hides in the granule layer, the asphalt mat, and the seal strips. Each impact reduces the shingle’s ability to shed water and protect the deck below.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Pennsylvania logs dozens of severe hail reports each year, with most events concentrated between May and August. Hailstones reach the severe thunderstorm threshold at 1 inch in diameter, the size of a quarter, and meaningful damage to asphalt shingles begins at that point.
Hailstones cause different types of damage based on size, density, and angle of impact. At 1 inch, the size of a quarter, you can expect minor granule loss and cosmetic dents. Stones around 1.25 inches, comparable to a half dollar, leave visible bruising and accelerated granule loss. At 1.5 inches, roughly the size of a ping pong ball, the damage progresses to mat fractures and seal strip damage. Golf-ball sized hail at 1.75 inches cracks shingles and exposes the asphalt mat, while stones at 2 inches or larger can puncture shingles outright and cause full shingle failure on impact.
Even at the lower end of this scale, repeated hail events compound damage from earlier storms. We inspect for cumulative damage during every post-storm visit, since a roof that looked fine after the first storm may show its weakness after the second.
Hail damage often looks like normal wear from the ground. You need to walk on the roof or fly a drone to find the real evidence. Common signs we identify during inspections include:
Hail rarely arrives alone. Most Western PA hailstorms also include high winds, so we inspect for wind damage roof repair needs during every hail call. If you see any of these signs, document them with dated photos and call us before the next rain. Our roof repair team responds within 24 hours to assess the damage and stabilize active leaks through emergency leak detection and tarp service.
Not all hailstorms produce the same level of roof damage, and understanding what different hail sizes typically do to each roofing material helps homeowners in Hermitage and across Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, and Beaver Counties know when to call for a professional inspection and when a claim is likely warranted. The table below maps hail size to expected damage by roofing material based on industry standards and Big River Roofing’s field experience across Western Pennsylvania.
Hail Size | Common Reference | 3-Tab Shingles | Architectural Shingles | Luxury Designer Shingles | Metal Roofing | Gutters and Soft Metals | Insurance Claim Likely | Recommended Action |
Under 0.75 inch | Pea size | Minimal granule loss, cosmetic only | Minimal impact, surface granules only | Minimal impact on heavy mat | No visible damage | Light denting on aluminum possible | Rarely | Ground level inspection, monitor for leaks |
0.75 to 1.0 inch | Marble size | Moderate granule loss, possible mat bruising | Light granule loss, sealant strip may be affected | Minimal impact on premium mat | Minor surface marking possible | Moderate denting on aluminum gutters | Sometimes, depends on density and coverage | Schedule professional inspection within 2 weeks |
1.0 to 1.25 inch | Quarter size | Significant granule loss, mat bruising likely | Moderate granule loss, possible mat cracking | Light granule loss, minor bruising | Light denting on softer metals | Clear denting on aluminum gutters and flashing | Yes, document and file promptly | Schedule inspection within 48 to 72 hours |
1.25 to 1.5 inch | Half dollar size | Heavy granule loss, mat cracking, tab splitting likely | Significant granule loss, mat bruising and cracking | Moderate granule loss, mat bruising | Moderate denting on all metal surfaces | Heavy denting, possible separation at seams | Yes, strong claim | Schedule inspection within 24 to 48 hours |
1.5 to 1.75 inch | Walnut size | Severe mat damage, tab cracking, possible penetration | Heavy granule loss, significant mat cracking | Significant granule loss, mat cracking on most lines | Clear denting on steel, possible coating damage | Severe denting, possible gutter separation | Yes, replacement likely | Call (724) 877-7380 within 24 hours |
1.75 to 2.0 inch | Golf ball size | Severe damage, penetration likely on aged shingles | Severe mat cracking, possible penetration | Heavy mat damage, bruising throughout field | Significant denting on all metal profiles | Severe denting and possible structural damage to gutters | Yes, full replacement likely | Call immediately for emergency inspection |
2.0 to 2.5 inch | Hen egg size | Catastrophic damage, full replacement required | Severe damage, full replacement required | Heavy damage, replacement likely | Heavy denting, possible seam damage | Gutters likely require full replacement | Yes, full replacement certain | Call immediately |
Above 2.5 inch | Baseball size or larger | Complete roof failure, immediate replacement required | Complete damage, immediate replacement required | Severe damage, immediate replacement required | Significant structural denting, seam failure possible | Complete gutter replacement required | Yes, emergency claim | Call immediately, emergency tarp may be needed |
Hail damage repair follows a different workflow than wind damage repair. The damage is harder to see, the insurance conversation requires more documentation, and the repair scope often expands as concealed damage surfaces during tear-off. We have refined our process over many Western PA hail events.
We start with a free inspection that includes drone imaging, attic check, and a hands-on chalk test. The chalk test marks each impact point on the shingle so the adjuster can count and verify damage during the on-site meeting. We also document the hail event with NOAA Storm Prediction Center data confirming the date, location, and stone size for your address.
After documentation, we file the claim or join you for the call to your carrier. We meet your adjuster on the roof to walk through every chalk-marked impact, point out matching shingle requirements, and explain the repair scope. Once the claim is approved, our crews complete the repair under the agreed scope and register the manufacturer warranty.
For homeowners who want full claims support including policy review and supplemental claim filing, our dedicated insurance claims assistance team handles the paperwork from the first phone call to the final settlement.
Most Pennsylvania homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage as a sudden, accidental event. Coverage details vary by carrier, but the core elements include:
A handful of carriers operating in Pennsylvania have added cosmetic damage endorsements that exclude purely visual hail damage on metal panels, shingle granules, or vent caps. These endorsements pay for damage that affects function but not for damage that affects only appearance. We review your policy during the inspection so you know what to expect before the claim is filed.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department publishes consumer information on storm damage claims. For complex or denied claims, the department also handles formal complaints against carriers operating in the state.
Not every hail-damaged roof needs replacement. Repair makes sense when damage is isolated to a single slope, the roof is less than 10 to 15 years old, and the shingle line is still in production for matching. Replacement makes sense when damage covers multiple slopes, the roof is past mid-life, or the shingles are discontinued and matching is impossible.
Our inspectors recommend the most cost-effective option that restores warranty coverage and weatherproof performance. For homes that need new materials, we install architectural shingles, luxury shingles, or metal roofing panels. For partial replacements, our missing shingle replacement and shingle roof replacement services use color-matched materials from current manufacturer lines.
If concealed damage surfaces during tear-off, our structural roof repair crews handle deck replacement and rafter reinforcement before the new roof goes on.
If your home has been hit by hail once, the same storm track and topography make it likely to be hit again. Impact-resistant shingles tested under UL 2218 standards offer protection against future hail damage and may qualify for insurance discounts in Pennsylvania.
The classification system runs from Class 1 through Class 4, with each class indicating the size of steel ball the shingle withstands during the UL 2218 drop test without cracking.
Asphalt shingle roofing lines from major manufacturers now include Class 4 options in popular color families. Standing-seam metal roofing also performs well against hail and carries longer warranties than premium asphalt shingles.
Big River Roofing provides prompt, certified hail damage roof repair and replacement services to homeowners and property owners throughout the entire Western Pennsylvania service area. Our service areas include: Mercer County, Lawrence County, Butler County, Beaver County, Cranberry Township, Harmony, Wexford, Slippery Rock, Butler, Beaver, Grove City, New Castle, Neshannock, Mercer, Sharon, Hermitage, Ellwood City, West Middlesex, Beaver Falls, Warrendale and surrounding communities. Explore our complete list of coverage zones on our Service Areas page.
Whether you are dealing with hail damage in Hermitage, a recent hailstorm in Sharon, or impact damage across multiple roofing components in Cranberry Township, the team is locally based, fully licensed, and ready to deliver the thorough inspection documentation and certified repair quality your insurance claim requires.
Hail damage worsens with each rain, freeze, and ultraviolet cycle. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove the damage came from the original storm. Big River Roofing offers free hail damage inspections to Western Pennsylvania homeowners, complete with drone imagery, chalk testing, and claim-ready documentation. Whether your roof needs partial repair or full replacement, our certified team handles the work and the paperwork as a single project.
Call (724) 877-7380 or request your free roof quote to schedule your inspection. Same-day response is available across Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, and Beaver Counties.
Address: 2404 E State St, Hermitage, PA 16148, United States
Phone Number: (724) 877-7380
Email Address: donkovac018@gmail.com
Business Hours:
Monday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM To 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Most Pennsylvania policies allow 12 months from the date of loss to file a hail claim, though some carriers shorten the window to 6 months. Read your declarations page for a specific language. Filing within 30 days of the storm produces the strongest claim outcome and reduces the chance of a wear-and-tear denial.
Not always. Hail rarely punctures a shingle on the first impact, but it weakens the granule layer and can crack the mat. Leaks often appear weeks or months after the storm as ultraviolet exposure and freeze-thaw cycling open the small cracks. Document and file early to avoid a wear-and-tear denial later.
Hail and other storm damage claims classified as catastrophic events usually do not raise individual premiums in Pennsylvania, since they are weather-related and not driver-of-loss claims. Multiple claims in a short window may affect rates. Consult your agent for specifics on your policy.
We use drone imaging to capture every slope, hands-on chalk testing to mark each impact, and infrared scans to identify wet insulation under the deck. Most adjusters have 30 minutes per home and rely on what they see from the ladder. We bring detailed evidence that supports a fair settlement.
Class 4 shingles pass the UL 2218 impact resistance test using a 2-inch steel ball with no cracks or damage. They cost more upfront but typically qualify for insurance discounts and last longer in hail-prone areas. For Western PA homes that have already been hit by hail, the upgrade often pays for itself.
We file a supplemental claim with documentation showing why the carrier’s number does not cover the work. Most underpaid claims resolve within 1 to 2 weeks once we provide the evidence. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department also accepts complaints if a carrier refuses to pay a fair amount.
In most cases, no. If your mortgage company is named on the check, the lender requires proof the repair was completed before releasing the funds. Even without a mortgage, skipping the repair leaves the home vulnerable to leaks, mold, and a denied future claim. We provide written estimates and completion records that satisfy lender requirements.
Your roof protects everything underneath it. If it’s been a few years since your last inspection, or a recent storm rolled through your area, now is the right time to get a professional set of eyes on it before a small problem becomes a costly one.
Reach out to Big River Roofing and let a certified local contractor give you a straight answer about what your roof needs. No sales pressure, no inflated estimates, just clear information and honest recommendations from a team that has been serving Hermitage and Western Pennsylvania homeowners for 5+ years.
