What hail and wind actually do to a Hillyard roof
Hail rarely punches a clean hole. Instead it knocks the protective granules off asphalt shingles, leaving soft black spots that bake in the sun and crack open over the following winters. Around Market St, where many roofs carry steeper pitches and decades of layered repairs, a single storm can scatter damage unevenly - the south and west slopes facing the storm track usually take the worst of it.
Wind is the other half of the problem. Gusts lift shingle tabs, break the adhesive seal, and let the next rain drive underneath. On the older early-1900s homes that define this part of NE Spokane, that loosened edge often runs along the eaves and the ridge, exactly where water has the shortest path into old plank decking.
Why early-1900s homes here need a closer look
Many houses in the Hillyard historic rail district in NE Spokane were built when railroad workers settled the area, and a lot still wear board-sheathed decks, cut valleys, and brick chimneys that need careful flashing. A storm that a modern subdivision shrugs off can open seams on these homes that have been quietly aging for a century.
- Step flashing around chimneys and dormers that hail has dented or wind has pried loose
- Brittle older shingles that shatter on impact instead of bruising
- Skip-sheathed or plank decking that hides soft, water-stained spots until we walk it
- Valleys where blown debris and granule loss collect and dam up snowmelt
We inspect with all of this in mind rather than treating your roof like new construction.
Our storm-response process, step by step
After a storm we move quickly, because the sooner we document the damage the stronger your case is. Here is how a typical Hillyard call goes:
- Free inspection: we photograph hail strikes, lifted shingles, and any interior signs, slope by slope.
- Emergency tarping: if water is getting in, we get it sealed before the next front rolls through.
- Clear written report: you get plain-language findings and photos you can hand to anyone.
- Repair or replacement: we fix what is repairable and recommend full replacement only when the storm truly warrants it.
You can read more about our full roof replacement options if the damage runs deeper than a spot repair.
Insurance claims without the headache
Storm and hail damage is one of the most common reasons homeowners file a roof claim, and the documentation is where most people get stuck. We meet your adjuster on site, point out the hail bruising and wind creasing they might otherwise miss, and make sure the scope reflects what your roof actually needs.
Because we are GAF Master Elite certified - a credential held by only the top 2-3% of roofers nationwide - the repairs we install qualify for the strongest manufacturer warranties available, including the GAF Golden Pledge. That matters when an adjuster wants proof the work will last.
Built for Inland Northwest weather
Hillyard does not just get summer hail. The same roofs face heavy snow loads, freeze-thaw cycles, and the ice dams that form when warm attic air melts snow that refreezes at the cold eaves. A storm that loosens shingles in July sets up the leaks you discover in February.
That is why our storm repairs address the whole system, not just the obvious dents - we check underlayment, flashing, and ventilation so the next freeze does not finish what the hail started. Every job carries our 15-25 year workmanship warranty on top of the GAF coverage.
Why Hillyard homeowners call DG Contracting
We are a family-owned company that has worked across NE Spokane since 2013, and our 5.0 rating across 288 Google reviews reflects how we treat each home. We are licensed and insured in both Washington and Idaho, estimates are always free, and flexible financing is available when a storm hits at a bad time.
When you replace a storm-damaged roof with us, you also get a 15-25 year workmanship warranty - a real help on the older homes near Market St where original gutters are often as worn as the shingles above them. Call (509) 209-1894 and we will get a crew out to look.
