Most Central Oregon homeowners have never had a professional roof inspection — and don't know what to expect from one. If you're considering scheduling a free inspection after the August 2025 hailstorm that affected Bend, Redmond, and La Pine, this guide walks you through the entire process: before, during, and after.

Understanding what happens during an inspection helps you know what questions to ask, what documents to have ready, and how to use the results to support your insurance claim.

Before the Inspector Arrives: What to Prepare

A little preparation before the inspection makes the process smoother and ensures you get the most useful report possible.

Gather Your Insurance Policy Documents

Have your insurance declarations page available. The inspector doesn't need to read your policy — but knowing your deductible amount, your insurer's name, and your policy number allows them to answer questions about whether documented damage is likely to meet your insurer's approval threshold.

Note Any Visible Damage You've Already Observed

Write down anything you've noticed since the storm: granules in gutters, dents on AC units, water stains on ceilings, areas where your roof looks discolored. This is helpful context for the inspector — even if what you observed turns out not to be storm damage, it helps them prioritize where to look first.

Clear Access to Your Attic (If Possible)

Many inspectors also check the attic for signs of water infiltration, compromised decking, or daylight visible through the roof. If your attic access is buried under stored items, try to clear a path before the appointment.

Ensure Safe Ladder Access

The inspector will need to access the perimeter of your home with a ladder. Make sure gates are unlocked, vehicles are moved away from the house, and there are no obstacles along the foundation where the inspector will be working. You do not need to be on the roof or hold the ladder — the inspector handles all of this.

Step-by-Step: What Happens During the Inspection

Step 1: Ground-Level Assessment (5-10 Minutes)

The inspector starts on the ground, walking the full perimeter of your home. They're looking for:

Dents or fresh damage on gutters, downspouts, and fascia
Granule accumulation around downspout splash areas
Visible missing or displaced shingles
Damage to window screens, siding, or other exterior surfaces that corroborates a hail event
Any prior repairs or patches that indicate previous damage history

Dented gutters and AC condenser fins are particularly useful evidence — they're easy to photograph, difficult to dispute, and prove that hail impacted the property on the date in question.

Step 2: Roof Access and Safety Setup (5 Minutes)

The inspector stages their ladder, puts on appropriate footwear with good grip, and accesses the roof. They typically begin at the lowest accessible slope and work systematically across the entire roof surface.

Step 3: Test Square Assessment (15-25 Minutes)

This is the core of the inspection. Insurance adjusters — and experienced inspectors preparing for insurance claims — use a method called test square assessment. They mark out 10-foot by 10-foot sections (100 square feet = one "square" in roofing terminology) and count the number of hail impact marks within each square.

Most insurance companies require a minimum number of impacts per square before approving a claim. The exact threshold varies by insurer, but typically:

8-10 impacts per square is often the threshold that triggers a full replacement recommendation
A licensed contractor will document multiple test squares across different roof slopes to establish a consistent pattern
Each impact is photographed; the inspector typically uses chalk to circle impacts before photographing for clarity

The inspector is also evaluating the character of the damage: is it consistent with hail impact (random distribution, circular bruising, missing granules) or does it look like aging, foot traffic, or prior damage? This distinction matters enormously when working with insurance adjusters.

Step 4: Detailed Damage Documentation (10-15 Minutes)

Beyond the test squares, the inspector photographs and documents:

Ridge cap condition — hail often damages these first
Metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents
Pipe boot seals — rubber boots around plumbing vents crack easily under hail impact
Roof valleys — areas where two slopes meet accumulate more hail impact
Any cracked, split, or displaced shingles
Any previous repairs or patches that need to be noted

Step 5: Attic Inspection (5-10 Minutes, If Applicable)

If attic access is available, the inspector checks for water staining on roof decking, wet or compressed insulation, daylight visible through nail pops or cracks, and any active moisture. Attic evidence of water infiltration strengthens an insurance claim significantly.

Step 6: Inspector's Findings Discussion (5-10 Minutes)

At the end of the inspection, the contractor walks you through what they found. A good inspector gives you a candid assessment: if there's clear, documentable hail damage consistent with the August 2025 storm, they'll tell you. If the damage is minimal or appears pre-existing, they'll tell you that too. A trustworthy inspector doesn't push you to file a claim you don't have grounds for — that creates problems for everyone.

How Long Does a Hail Damage Inspection Take?

For a typical Central Oregon residential roof (1,500–2,500 square feet), a thorough hail damage inspection takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Larger homes, more complex roof geometry (multiple angles, valleys, dormers), or homes with significant damage will take longer. Plan to be home for the full inspection period so you can answer questions and receive the inspector's findings in person.

What You Receive After the Inspection

A professional post-inspection report from a qualified contractor typically includes:

Written summary of findings, including the contractor's professional opinion on whether damage is consistent with hail impact
Dated photographs of all documented damage, organized by roof section
Measurement of damaged area in roofing squares, which informs the claim estimate
Material recommendations — for Central Oregon, this often includes discussion of Class 4 impact-resistant shingles
Estimate of replacement or repair cost that you can use as a reference when reviewing your insurance adjuster's offer

This report is your most important document in the insurance claim process. Keep a copy, submit a copy to your insurer when filing, and have it available when the adjuster comes to your home.

What Happens Next: Filing Your Claim

After the inspection, if damage is documented, the recommended next steps are:

Notify your insurer immediately — call and say: "I had a professional roof inspection following the August 5, 2025 hailstorm in Deschutes County and the inspection found storm damage. I want to file a claim."
Request your adjuster visit date — ask that your contractor be present during the adjuster visit or, at minimum, that the adjuster review the inspection report before their visit.
Do not make repairs before the adjuster visits, except emergency tarping to prevent active leaks.
Review the adjuster's estimate against your contractor's findings — if there is a significant difference, you can request a re-inspection or dispute the amount.

For a complete guide to this process, read our complete guide to filing a roof insurance claim in Oregon.

Schedule Your Free Inspection Today

FreeRoofPros connects Bend, Redmond, and La Pine homeowners with vetted, licensed Oregon roofing contractors who specialize in hail damage documentation and storm damage roof replacement. The inspection is completely free and carries no obligation.

With the August 2026 deadline for the 2025 storm approaching, don't delay.

Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection at FreeRoofPros.com
Call us: 541-728-0266
Email: info@freeroofpros.com

We serve homeowners throughout Bend, Redmond, La Pine, Sunriver, Tumalo, and all of Deschutes County. Free inspection, no obligation.

What Happens During a Free Hail Damage Roof Inspection?