Roof Inspection Photo Protocol After 2+ Inch Hail – Field Guide

Opening practical challenge

Field crews routinely pass over micro-fractures at flashings and vents when roofs are inspected after 2-inch-plus hail. Those missed images lengthen estimates. They also increase adjuster reinspection requests. Close, repeatable photos reduce back-and-forth and speed approvals.

Pre-inspection data checks

1. Pull the radar-derived hail swath and dual-polarization radar time stamp for the event. Note the strongest reflectivity cores and local storm reports. Prioritize structures inside the concentrated hail swath.
2. Cross-check spotter-verified reports and any local storm photos before leaving the yard. Note the event time window for captioning.
3. Assign a roof ID per property before ascent. Use a short alphanumeric tag. Include it in every photo filename and caption.

Minimum photo set per roof (10–16 images)

Take this core set on every roof. Each image must contain a clear timestamp and GPS coordinate in EXIF.

• Exterior approach wide shot (1)

  • From ground, 10–20 feet back. Full-structure framing. Show roof geometry, slope, and surrounding trees or obstructions. Use 24–35mm equivalent.

• Oblique slope shots (2–4)

  • One oblique per major slope. 30–45 degree angle from horizontal. Capture eaves to ridge in a single frame if possible. Distance 10–15 feet.

• Ridge to eave sweep (2)

  • Telephoto sweep from ridge toward eave. Overlap frames by 30%. Use 50–100mm equivalent. These reveal shingle granule loss and fractures not visible from oblique shots.

• Penetration and flashing close-ups (3–4)

  • Vents, plumbing boots, skylights, chimneys, and valley flashings. Frame with a 6-inch ruler or a standardized scale card. Close-ups at 12–18 inches. Use a macro or telephoto crop.

• Edge and rake close-ups (1–2)

  • Exposed edges, drip edge, gutter attachments. Look for chipped metal, denting, or seam separation.

• Ancillary component shots (1–2)

  • HVAC units, satellite dishes, solar panels, gutters, and soffits. Include evidence of dents or granule loss on metal surfaces.

How to frame each shot

• Include scale. Use a 6-inch ruler or a commercial scale card in every close-up. Place it so it does not obscure the defect.
• Use oblique perspective for texture. 30–45 degrees brings out depressions and fractures.
• For fractures, get a perpendicular close-up and an oblique to show depth. Two angles beat one.
• Maintain consistent distance. Record distance in the caption when possible.

Camera settings and equipment

• Resolution: 12 megapixels minimum. Higher is better for crops. Smartphones newer than three years meet this threshold.
• File format: Shoot RAW if available. Provide high-quality JPEGs for delivery. Preserve EXIF metadata.
• Focal lengths: 24–35mm for wide. 50–100mm for detail. Macro for penetrations.
• Use a polarizing filter for glazed surfaces to reduce reflection on solar panels and skylights.

Metadata and file management

• File naming standard: YYYYMMDD_propertytag_roofID_shot01.jpg. Example: 20260615_123MainSt_R01_01.jpg.
• Embed captions in EXIF or sidecar. Include event date/time, camera time, GPS coordinates, roof ID, and a one-line visual description.
• Do not strip GPS metadata when exporting. Adjuster workflows depend on coordinates.

Insurer-ready caption templates

Use concise, factual captions. Include what, where, and how the image was taken.

• Example A: "2026-06-15 14:12:23, 33.621234 N, -97.123456 W, Side B south slope midspan. 12-inch close-up with 6-inch ruler. Asphalt shingle granule loss and surface pitting consistent with 2+ in hail. Camera: iPhone 14 Pro, 50mm eq."

• Example B: "2026-06-15 14:15:10, 33.621401 N, -97.123512 W, Ridge seam at chimney. Oblique 30° from horizontal. Metal flashing denting and seam separation. Camera: mirrorless 24–70mm, 70mm, f/5.6."

Common evidence to capture after 2-inch-plus hail

• Granule loss bands on individual shingles. Photograph full shingle and a close-up of the exposed mat.
• Fractures and bruising near nail lines. Take perpendicular and oblique angles to show depth.
• Metal dents on gutters, vents, and HVAC housings. Include a 6-inch scale.
• Skylight impact points and cracking in glazing. Photograph interior from below if safe.
• Solar panel microfractures. Oblique sun-glint shots help reveal glass spidering. Note array orientation.

Safety and access protocol

• Confirm personal protective equipment and fall protection before roof access. If conditions are wet or granule-covered, stop ascent.
• Capture a ground-based set if roof access is unsafe. Flag the file name and caption with "ground-only" and list obstruction reason.

Quality control and submission

• Minimum images: 10. Target: 12–16 for complex roofs.
• Review EXIF for GPS and timestamp before upload. Reject photos with stripped metadata.
• Deliver images grouped by property in a single ZIP or through your uploader. Include a one-page summary with event time window and which radar-derived hail swath was used to prioritize the property.

Quick field checklist

• Assign roof ID. Confirm event time from radar-derived swath.
• Wide approach, oblique slopes, ridge-eave sweeps, flashing/penetration close-ups, edge shots, ancillary components.
• 6-inch ruler in close-ups. EXIF with GPS and timestamp. Filename standard applied.
• Safety check recorded.

Closing operational note

Consistent photo standards reduce reinspection cycles. Clear scale, two angles per defect, and preserved EXIF metadata make estimates quicker. Use the radar-derived hail swath and spotter reports to prioritize properties within the warning polygon.

References: Consult NOAA dual-polarization radar products and local storm reports for event timing and hail core locations prior to field deployment.