Utah roofs
Hail Hit Layton, Kaysville and Farmington on Sept. 18. Here's How to Check Your Roof Before the Snow Flies
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On the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 18, a storm moved across Davis County. The National Weather Service Salt Lake City issued a tornado warning, and spotters reported hail up to 1.5 inches near Kaysville and Farmington and 1.25 inches in Layton. A brief tornado was also reported on the ridge east of Fruit Heights. Those sizes come from preliminary storm reports logged by NWS and the NOAA Storm Prediction Center (storm reports CSV).
Hail the size of a quarter (1 inch) or larger is considered severe by NWS. Damage to asphalt shingles often isn’t obvious from the driveway. If you live in Layton, Kaysville, Farmington, or nearby Davis County neighborhoods, a careful look now, before snow and freeze-thaw set in, is worth your time.
Here’s what to do this week: how to check safely from the ground, how to tell cosmetic marks from functional damage, what Utah regulators say about insurance and contractors, and when to bring in a licensed roofer.
First, stay off the roof — and what you can check from the ground
Don’t climb a wet or possibly damaged roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association and manufacturers like GAF advise leaving the walk-up for a trained pro with fall protection.
From the ground, walk the property and look for:
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, metal vents, or chimney caps
- Granules piled at downspout outlets
- Dented air-conditioner fins, torn screens, or pocked siding and window trim
- Shingle pieces or tabs in the yard
Inside, check the attic in daylight with a flashlight for water stains, damp insulation, or daylight showing through. Look at ceilings for new stains. Take dated photos and video of everything you find. Utah’s Insurance Department recommends documenting damage before permanent repairs begin.
What hail damage on shingles looks like — and why cosmetic vs. functional matters
Hail marks on asphalt shingles often show up as dark “bruises” where granules have been knocked off, exposed fiberglass mat, cracked or torn edges, or punctures. NRCA notes that most hail-related marks are cosmetic and may not shorten shingle life. Fractures, penetrations, and heavy granule loss are different. Those can leave the roof open to water and may require shingle replacement.
Older shingles are more brittle than new ones, so the same storm can leave different results on neighboring homes. Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has made the same point: roof age and shingle condition change how hail shows up. A neighbor’s new roof is not a verdict on yours.
Insurance and contractor do’s and don’ts (straight from Utah regulators)
Utah’s Insurance Department has clear guidance for homeowners after a storm:
Do: Call your insurer with your policy number as soon as you can. Photograph or video the damage. Make temporary repairs that stop further water intrusion (for example, tarping a leak), and save every receipt. Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer has inspected and you’ve agreed on the path forward.
Don’t: Sign anything on the doorstep. Don’t sign Assignment-of-Benefits forms you don’t understand. Don’t pay large deposits up front. Be wary of anyone who offers to “waive your deductible.” That may be illegal in Utah. Read the department’s page on roofing scams after hail before you talk to any door-to-door crew.
Verify any contractor’s license through Utah DOPL. Get written estimates. Your insurer, not your roofer, decides what your policy covers.
The NuRoof Guys are a licensed Utah contractor (#14225732-5501). We can inspect the roof, photograph what we find, and recommend repair, restoration, or replacement. We do not decide your claim, and we do not promise that a carrier will pay for the work.
If you want that inspection before the snow, schedule a free roof inspection or call 385-383-8479. More on storm visits is on our storm damage page. The towns named in those reports are on the Utah service area list.