What Is Shingle Bruising?

Shingle bruising is a type of impact damage that occurs when asphalt shingles are struck by hail, fallen tree branches, or other blunt objects. The impact compresses and fractures the underlying mat (fiberglass or organic) while the surface granules may remain intact, making the damage difficult to spot from ground level.

Think of it like a bruise on your skin—the surface may look relatively normal, but the underlying structure has been compromised. Unlike visible cracks or punctures, bruising weakens the shingle’s integrity from within, leading to premature failure and potential water infiltration.

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How Shingle Bruising Occurs

Hail Impact

Hail is the most common cause of shingle bruising. When hailstones strike your roof:

The impact force compresses the shingle
The underlying mat fractures or breaks
The protective granule layer may partially dislodge
The asphalt coating can crack beneath the surface

Size matters: Hail doesn’t need to be baseball-sized to cause bruising. Stones as small as 1 inch in diameter can damage shingles, especially on older or already-compromised roofs.

Other Causes

While hail is the primary culprit, shingle bruising can also result from:

Falling tree limbs or branches
Walking on roofs (especially in cold weather)
Dropped tools or debris during repairs
Pressure washing at close range
Impact from construction equipment

Identifying Shingle Bruising

Bruising isn’t always obvious, which is why professional inspection is crucial after any hail event.

Visual Indicators

Dark spots or discoloration: Bruised areas often appear as random dark circles or oval shapes on the shingle surface.

Exposed or loose granules: Impact points may show granule loss, revealing the black asphalt mat underneath.

Shiny or glossy spots: When granules are knocked off, the exposed asphalt creates a shiny appearance that contrasts with the surrounding matte surface.

Random pattern: Unlike wear patterns that follow water flow or sun exposure, bruising appears randomly across the roof surface based on hail trajectory.

Physical Testing

Trained inspectors use tactile methods to confirm bruising:

Soft spot test: Gently pressing suspected bruising reveals a soft, spongy feel compared to undamaged areas. The fractured mat doesn’t provide the same firm resistance.

Chalk test: Running a piece of chalk across a suspected bruise often leaves a mark on damaged areas where the surface has become rough or porous.

Close inspection: Using magnification can reveal hairline fractures in the asphalt coating that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Why Shingle Bruising Matters

Compromised Weather Protection

Bruised shingles lose their ability to shed water effectively:

Fractured mats allow moisture penetration
Granule loss reduces UV protection
Weakened adhesion makes shingles vulnerable to wind uplift
Water can migrate under the damaged areas

Accelerated Aging

Even if bruising doesn’t cause immediate leaks, it significantly shortens your roof’s lifespan:

Normal weathering accelerates at impact points
Freeze-thaw cycles exploit weakened areas
Granule loss exposes asphalt to UV degradation
Secondary damage compounds over time

Insurance Claim Validity

Documented shingle bruising is critical evidence for insurance claims:

Proves storm-related damage occurred
Establishes need for repair or replacement
Supports claim timing (connects damage to specific weather events)
Justifies full roof replacement when damage is widespread

Bruising vs. Other Types of Damage

Bruising vs. Normal Wear

Normal wear occurs gradually and shows predictable patterns:

Granule loss along water channels
Southern and western exposure shows more fading
Wear is uniform across similar roof sections
Happens over years, not overnight

Bruising appears suddenly after impact events:

Random distribution across all exposures
Varies in size and severity
Concentrated around hail strike points
Appears immediately following storms

Bruising vs. Hail Hits on Other Surfaces

Insurance adjusters often look for corroborating evidence of hail:

Metal vents and flashing: Dents in metal confirm hail size and impact force.

Gutters and downspouts: Dings and dents show hail occurred and its approximate size.

HVAC units: Damage to outdoor equipment supports hail claims.

Soft metals (chimney caps, satellite dishes): Easier to spot than shingle damage and helps establish hail trajectory.

Siding or decks: Impact marks on horizontal surfaces confirm the storm event.

Factors That Affect Bruising Severity

Shingle Age and Condition

Newer shingles (0-5 years):

More flexible and resistant to impact
Higher asphalt content
Better granule adhesion
May show less visible bruising but still sustain damage

Mid-life shingles (6-15 years):

Beginning to lose flexibility
Some granule loss already present
More susceptible to bruising
Damage may be more evident

Older shingles (15+ years):

Brittle and inflexible
Significant granule loss
Highly vulnerable to impact damage
Bruising may appear more severe

Environmental Factors

Temperature during impact: Cold shingles are more brittle and sustain worse bruising than warm, pliable shingles.

Roof slope: Steeper roofs often show less damage because hail strikes at an angle rather than with full force.

Shingle quality: Premium architectural shingles typically resist bruising better than basic three-tab shingles due to thicker construction.

Installation quality: Properly installed shingles with adequate fastening resist impact better than poorly installed roofs.

When Bruised Shingles Need Replacement

Damage Threshold Guidelines

Insurance companies and roofing professionals use various criteria to determine if bruising warrants replacement:

Number of impacts: Most insurers consider 8-10 or more hail hits per 100 square feet (a 10’x10′ area) as significant damage requiring replacement.

Damage severity: Even fewer impacts may justify replacement if bruising is severe enough to compromise shingle integrity.

Roof age: Older roofs with any bruising may qualify for replacement since remaining lifespan is already limited.

Scattered vs. concentrated damage: Widespread bruising across all roof planes typically requires full replacement rather than patching.

Test Squares

During inspections, adjusters often examine specific “test squares”:

Multiple 10’x10′ sections across different roof planes
Areas most likely to show damage (south-facing, lower slopes)
Zones around documented hail strike marks on metal

If test squares meet damage thresholds, the entire roof typically qualifies for replacement.

Functional vs. Cosmetic Damage

Functional damage (always covered):

Compromises the roof’s weather-shedding ability
Creates risk of leaks or structural issues
Shortens the roof’s expected lifespan
Requires action to prevent further problems

Cosmetic damage (coverage varies by policy):

Aesthetic issues that don’t affect performance
Many policies exclude purely cosmetic damage
Review your policy’s cosmetic damage clause carefully

Most shingle bruising qualifies as functional damage since it compromises the shingle’s protective mat and reduces effective lifespan.

The Inspection Process for Bruising

What Professional Inspectors Look For

A thorough bruising inspection includes:

Ground-level assessment: Looking for obvious indicators like missing shingles, damaged gutters, or debris.

Roof surface examination: Walking the roof to identify impact points and test for soft spots.

Documentation: Photographing damage with reference markers (coins, chalk circles) to show scale.

Pattern analysis: Mapping bruising distribution to confirm storm-related damage rather than isolated incidents.

Accessory inspection: Checking vents, flashing, and other roof penetrations for corroborating damage.

Self-Inspection Limitations

While homeowners can spot some obvious damage, bruising often requires professional evaluation:

Safety risks of roof access
Subtle damage easily missed by untrained eyes
Lack of proper testing techniques
Inability to distinguish bruising from normal wear
No documentation standards for insurance purposes

After any hailstorm, schedule a professional inspection rather than relying on ground-level observation alone.

Shingle Bruising and Insurance Claims

Reporting Damage

Act quickly: Most policies require timely reporting of damage. File your claim within days or weeks of a known storm event, not months later.

Document the storm: Note the date, time, and severity of hail. Local weather reports and news coverage can support your claim.

Prevent further damage: Your policy requires reasonable steps to prevent additional damage, such as tarping obvious leaks.

Avoid unnecessary repairs: Don’t make permanent repairs before the adjuster’s inspection, as this can complicate damage assessment.

Working with Adjusters

When the adjuster inspects for bruising:

Request roof access: Ask the adjuster to physically inspect the roof surface, not just view it from the ground or a ladder.

Have your contractor present: A professional roofer can identify damage the adjuster might miss and explain technical issues.

Question limited inspections: If the adjuster only checks one or two areas, request examination of all roof planes.

Get everything in writing: Request copies of the adjuster’s report, photos, and damage estimates.

Common Claim Challenges

Adjuster disputes damage: Some adjusters claim bruising is normal wear or pre-existing. Your contractor’s documentation helps counter this.

Insufficient damage thresholds: If the adjuster finds less damage than your contractor documented, request a re-inspection or supplement.

Depreciation issues: Understand whether your policy pays replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV) for damaged shingles.

Partial denials: Adjusters may approve only certain roof sections. Challenge this if damage is widespread.

Preventing Future Bruising

While you can’t control hailstorms, some measures reduce vulnerability:

Shingle Selection

Impact-resistant (IR) shingles: Class 4 (UL 2218) rated shingles are designed to withstand hail better than standard shingles. They feature:

Reinforced backing materials
Modified asphalt formulations
Superior granule adhesion
Often qualify for insurance discounts (10-30% in some areas)

Architectural vs. three-tab: Thicker architectural shingles generally resist impact better than basic three-tab shingles.

Maintenance Practices

Regular inspections: Annual professional inspections identify existing damage before storms compound problems.

Prompt repairs: Addressing minor damage prevents accelerated degradation during future weather events.

Avoid foot traffic: Minimize walking on roofs, especially during temperature extremes when shingles are most brittle.

Trim overhanging branches: Reduce the risk of falling limbs that can bruise or puncture shingles.

Common Questions About Shingle Bruising

Can bruising be repaired without full replacement?

Individual damaged shingles can sometimes be replaced if bruising is isolated. However, widespread bruising typically requires full roof replacement because:

Matching discontinued shingle colors/styles is difficult
Partial repairs leave the rest of the aging roof vulnerable
Mismatched repairs can void manufacturer warranties
Patchwork repairs may not satisfy insurance requirements

How long after a storm can I file a claim for bruising?

Policy timeframes vary, but most require claims within one year of the damage-causing event. However, waiting too long can hurt your claim:

Connecting damage to specific storms becomes harder
Normal wear compounds impact damage
Adjusters may argue damage is pre-existing
Best practice: Inspect and file claims within 30-60 days of known hail events

Will my insurance rates increase after a bruising claim?

Claim impacts vary by insurer and state regulations. Generally:

Weather-related claims affect rates less than liability claims
Your overall claim history matters more than a single event
Some states prohibit rate increases for certain claim types
The cost of NOT claiming often exceeds potential rate impacts

Does bruising always lead to leaks?

Not immediately. Bruising weakens shingles progressively:

Initial damage may not penetrate to underlayment
Multiple weather cycles expand compromised areas
Eventually, water finds pathways through damaged spots
Secondary damage (ice damming, wind uplift) exploits weakened shingles

This is why replacement is recommended even before leaks occur—preventing interior damage is more cost-effective than repairing it.

Related Roofing Terms

Adjuster: Insurance professional who assesses damage claims
Hail Damage: Various types of storm-related roof damage
Granule Loss: Loss of protective granules from shingle surfaces
Impact Resistance: A shingle’s ability to withstand hail and debris
Class 4 Shingles: Highest impact-resistant rating for roofing materials
Functional Damage: Damage that affects roof performance, not just appearance
Test Square: Sample area used to assess overall roof damage

Professional Bruising Assessment

Identifying and documenting shingle bruising requires expertise, especially when dealing with insurance claims. As professional roof consultants, we provide:

Comprehensive post-storm inspections
Detailed damage documentation with photography
Test square analysis following industry standards
Support during adjuster inspections
Supplement preparation for undervalued claims
Expert testimony when claims are disputed

Experienced a recent hailstorm? Schedule a free inspection to determine if your roof has sustained bruising or other impact damage. We’ll provide a thorough assessment and help you navigate the insurance process.