Should I Be Worried About Hail Damage After the Storm on 4/28/2025 at My Home in Manhattan, Kansas?
What to know and do after recent storms
If you’re a homeowner in Manhattan, Kansas, the April 28th hailstorm probably got your attention. Hail up to 1.75 inches was reported in parts of Riley County, driven by wind gusts that topped 50 mph. If you don’t know, the threshold for damaging hail is only 1”! While some people may shrug it off, others may wonder if their roofing system took a hit.
Whether or not you saw damage, it’s worth taking a closer look at what storms like this can really do—and how long you have to do something about it. (Spoiler alert: It probably isn’t as long as you think!)
What Actually Happened in That Storm?
This wasn’t a minor pop-up thunderstorm. Hail fell hard, and fast, across several Manhattan neighborhoods, with impacts strong enough to dent siding, dent gutters, and in many cases, compromise asphalt shingle roofing systems.
If you were in the Candlewood, Amherst, or Northview areas, you may have heard it bouncing off your vents and downspouts around 8 p.m. That alone is enough to raise questions about what might’ve happened up top—even if you haven’t seen any leaks yet.
What Kind of Damage Are We Talking About?
Hail doesn’t always punch holes through your shingles. More often, it bruises them—knocks off protective granules, weakens the shingle mat, or causes tiny fractures that aren’t immediately visible. Left alone, those issues can shorten the life of your roof or lead to water damage down the line.
Common areas where damage can show up include:
- Shingles — Look for uneven wear, soft spots, or sections that look discolored or patchy from missing granules. These spots will generally present as circular impressions and may feel soft to the touch.
- Vents and Flashing — These are your early indicators. If metal looks dented, hail likely did more than just cosmetic damage. Vents on top of the roof tend to show the hail impacts most clearly.
- Gutters and Downspouts — Dings or bends in aluminum are often signs of a heavier impact zone on the roof above. If the dent has a linear edge, it is most likely not the result of hail, but if it is a more circular dent that is comparable to the hail size – then it may be an indicator that hail has hit your home.
- Siding and Trim — A cracked panel or pitted screen could mean hail hit from a steep angle with force. In more severe cases hail can knock paint off of siding, and punch holes in vinyl siding and window glazes.
Not every home will experience the same severity, but if you talk to the neighbors and find consistent issues among nearby houses, it is best to be proactive in getting your home assessed and potentially reported to your insurance carrier.
Insurance Timelines: What’s the Window?
Kansas homeowners typically have 12 months from the date of loss to file an insurance claim, but don’t assume that applies in every case. Some policies shorten that to 6 months, and some insurers expect prompt notification even if you’re just starting the inspection process.
Waiting to “see if it leaks” might feel like the cautious thing to do, but it can also put your claim rights at risk—especially as more insurers switch older homes to Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage instead of full replacement value. For roofs over 10 years old, that could mean losing 40%–60% of your roof’s value on paper, even if it’s in otherwise decent shape.
If that sounds like a lot of fine print, it is. But the takeaway is simple: if your roof was impacted, the clock is probably already ticking.
Due Diligence Isn’t Complicated—But It Matters
When insurers use the term due diligence, they’re referring to your responsibility to take reasonable steps to identify and address storm-related damage. That doesn’t always mean filing a claim right away, but it does mean documenting what happened and reporting damages you intend to repair that may exceed your deductible.
Here’s a good approach:
- Take photos of your property the day of or day after the storm (ground-level photos are fine—vents, gutters, siding, and landscaping).
- Note what you observed—hail size, time of day, and any noise or damage you noticed.
- Consider a professional inspection from someone experienced with storm damage restoration. Even if you don’t move forward with a claim, having a clean report on file can be helpful down the road. (What if another storm hits on an older roof – the carrier may think it is old damage! This way, you keep a history of due diligence and the story of your roof’s life.)
What If the Roof Looks Fine?
This is where it gets tricky. You might walk around your house, glance up, and think, “Looks okay to me.”
But here’s the reality: shingle damage from hail is rarely visible from the ground. Even from the roof, it takes experience to spot a soft bruise or detect when the fiberglass mat under the shingle has been compromised.
Leaks often show up months to years later—after the next freeze-thaw cycle or spring storm. And at that point, the cause might no longer be covered.
If you’re not comfortable checking the roof yourself, look for a reputable roofing contractor that works in the Manhattan area and is familiar with storm damage and restoration. The right company will document findings without pushing you into a claim if it’s not warranted.
Should Commercial Properties Be Concerned?
Yes—especially flat or low-slope systems. Office buildings, multi-family housing, and retail properties in Manhattan often have membrane roofing or composite systems that respond differently to hail. Soft spots, punctures, and edge damage are all common. While these roof systems tend to be more durable, metal roof systems and older TPO systems are susceptible to damages from 1.75” hail.
If you manage or own commercial roofing assets in the region, it’s worth reviewing your maintenance schedule and making sure a post-storm inspection is logged. Many property insurance policies require routine documentation to validate any storm-related claim.
Red Flags to Watch Over the Next Few Weeks
If you didn’t notice anything right away, keep an eye out for signs like:
- Shingle granules collecting at downspout exits
- Water spots on the ceiling or in the attic after rain
- Cracked siding, bent flashing, or damaged window trim
- Discolored patches on the roof (especially after sun exposure)
These can show up over time. And if they do, a paper trail showing that you acted responsibly early on will help support your case.
If You’re Not Sure What to Do, Start Here
You don’t need to panic—or rush to file a claim. But it’s smart to keep records, consider a qualified inspection, and know what’s in your policy.
You might be looking for a local roofer with experience servicing homes and businesses in Manhattan, KS—particularly one that understands the nuances of asphalt shingles, storm restoration, gathering damage and construction information to support your insurance claim, and roof replacement timelines.
Make sure to vet local contractors and check their reviews on support with documenting damages, communicating with adjusters (when needed), and great installation processes.
In Summary
Not every roof in Manhattan took damage on April 28th. But enough did that it’s worth checking yours—especially if your home sits in a high-exposure area or hasn’t been inspected in the last couple of years.
Storm damage can be subtle, timelines can sneak up on you, and roofing systems aren’t built to last forever. If nothing else, take this opportunity to learn a bit more about your roof—and keep yourself one step ahead, no matter what the next Kansas storm brings.