Hail, Wind, and Storm Damage Structural Inspections

Severe weather events produce structural damage that is frequently mischaracterized, underestimated, or disputed. Hail, high winds, and falling trees each impact a structure differently - and the methods used to assess that damage determine whether the full extent of what occurred gets documented or not.

A Step in Time Structural Engineering provides independent forensic structural inspections for hail, wind, and storm damage. Every inspection is conducted by or under the direct supervision of Mr. Ray Gessner, PE, who holds a HAAG Certification in Residential Roof Inspection. Every report is PE-stamped and documents the full structural impact of the storm event.

How Severe Weather Impacts a Home Structurally

Hail Damage

Hail impacts cause damage to roofing materials, flashings, gutters, siding, and in significant hail events, to structural elements beneath the surface materials. On a roof, hail damage is identified through a combination of granule loss patterns, bruising of asphalt shingles, denting of metal components, and impact evidence on soft metals such as ridge vents, flashing, and HVAC equipment.

Identifying genuine hail damage requires a systematic approach. We use a test square methodology – defining a measured area of the roof surface and counting impact points within it – to establish whether the pattern of damage is consistent with a hail event and to document density and distribution of impacts. This methodology is recognized in insurance and legal contexts as the appropriate basis for hail damage claims.

Not every mark on a roof is hail damage. Mechanical damage, foot traffic, debris, and weathering produce marks that can resemble hail impacts. A HAAG-certified inspector distinguishes between hail-caused damage and damage from other sources as part of the assessment.

Wind Damage

Wind produces structural damage through direct pressure on surfaces, uplift on roof planes, and the differential pressure that develops between windward and leeward sides of a structure during high-wind events. Damage ranges from lifted or missing shingles to structural failures at connections – primarily roof-to-wall connections and sheathing fastening.

Our wind damage assessments examine visible surface damage, structural connection adequacy at the roof perimeter, fastening patterns in accessible framing, and evidence of uplift or movement in roof and wall systems. We reference local weather data, NOAA records, and storm reports to establish what wind conditions the property was exposed to at the time of the event.

Tree and Falling Object Damage

When a tree or large branch impacts a structure, the visible damage at the impact point is typically obvious. The structural story extends beyond it. Impact forces distribute through the framing along load paths, potentially affecting members and connections at a distance from the visible impact zone. Our assessment traces the full load path impact and documents structural conditions throughout the affected area.

Our Forensic Process

Meteorological Documentation

Every storm damage assessment begins with meteorological documentation. We reference NOAA storm event records, Doppler radar data, local news storm reports, and forensic weather reports specific to the property location and storm date. This creates an objective, verifiable foundation for the assessment that ties observed damage to a documented storm event.

Field Inspection

On-site inspection follows a systematic methodology. For roof assessments, we use the test square approach to document hail impact density and distribution. For wind and structural assessments, we examine damage patterns in the context of how the structure responds to wind loads. We document all findings with photographs tied to specific locations on the property.

White Paper and Industry Standard Reference

Our assessments reference applicable white papers and industry standards for identifying storm damage, including published HAAG guidelines, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) standards, and relevant wind and hail research. These references place our findings in the context of professionally accepted methodologies.

PE-Stamped Report

Findings are compiled in a PE-stamped engineering report signed by Mr. Ray Gessner, PE. The report documents the storm event, the field evidence observed, the methodology used, and the engineering conclusions regarding cause, extent, and scope of structural damage. Reports are formatted for use in insurance claims, appraisal proceedings, mediation, and litigation.

Why Independent Engineering Matters in Storm Damage Claims

Storm damage assessments by insurance adjusters reflect the carrier's process and the adjuster's training. An independent PE-stamped engineering assessment reflects the findings of a licensed professional engineer with no financial relationship to the carrier and no interest in any particular claim outcome.

Where the assessments agree, the independent report confirms the findings. Where they differ, the PE-stamped report provides a professional counterpart with the authority to support a formal dispute. Mr. Ray Gessner, PE is available to provide expert witness testimony in storm damage insurance disputes, appraisal proceedings, and litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my roof has hail damage?

Hail damage on asphalt shingles is identified by granule displacement, bruising of the mat beneath the granules, and consistent impact patterns across the roof surface. Metal components such as ridge vents, flashings, and gutters show denting that can establish hail size and impact density. A HAAG-certified inspector examines these indicators systematically using a test square methodology to document whether hail damage is present and to what extent.

What is a test square and why does it matter?

A test square is a defined area of the roof surface – typically 10 feet by 10 feet – within which a HAAG-certified inspector counts and documents hail impacts. Counting impacts within a measured area establishes density and distribution, which is the standard methodology for documenting hail events in insurance and legal contexts. It is a more defensible basis for a claim than a general visual assessment.

Can a storm damage inspection help if my claim was denied?

Yes. If you are faced with a denial or only a partial finding, we will inspect and provide an independent report as to the extent of the damage and how it occurred. A PE-stamped forensic report documenting the storm event and the field evidence of damage provides the professional documentation appropriate for a claim dispute.

How soon after a storm should I schedule an inspection?

As soon as possible and before permanent repairs are made. Documenting conditions while the evidence of the storm event is intact is essential for a complete forensic assessment. Repairs that are made before an inspection eliminate the physical evidence the report depends on.

What storms does your inspection cover?

We provide forensic structural assessments for hail events, high-wind events including thunderstorm winds and straight-line winds, tornado damage, hurricane and tropical storm damage, and tree or falling object impacts. We work from documented storm events tied to verified meteorological data.

Schedule a Storm Damage Inspection

Hail, wind, and storm damage assessments from A Step in Time Structural Engineering document the full structural impact of the event - not just what is visible on the surface - using a forensic methodology recognized in insurance and legal contexts.

Ray Gessner, P.E. is licensed in Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Oregon, and Washington, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, Louisiana, Iowa, Nevada, Nebraska, Mississippi, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and South Dakota. The firm holds DPOR licenses as a Class A contractor, professional engineer, and engineering business entity, with offices in Virginia Beach, Sarasota (FL), and Panama City (FL).