Key numbers
45 verified hail storms with stones of 1.75 inches or larger reached Denver County from 1984 to 2026 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 1984 to 2026 | 1980s: 1, 1990s: 4, 2000s: 12, 2010s: 17, 2020s: 11 Source: Storm library: Denver metro hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $2.3 billion insured losses (2017 dollars), May 8, 2017 Source: RMIIA |
| 32 | The median age of U.S. homes was 32 years in 2007, per NAHB citing Census data. Source: National Association of Home Builders / Bank of America Home Equity, 2007 |
| About 3.5 million | About 3.5 million U.S. households reported missing roofing material, 1.9 million a sagging roof and 1.5 million a hole in the roof in the 2023 American Housing Survey. Source: Roofing Contractor (reporting Instant Roofer analysis of 2023 AHS), 2023 |
| About 29% | About 29% of U.S. homes with asphalt shingles have less than four years of remaining useful roof life. Source: Insurance Journal (reporting Verisk), 2025 (report year) |
A storm counts when the library lists Denver County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
Local building code: Denver roof code data: IRC edition, reroof permits, ice barrier
Most roof leaks in Denver can be repaired: a lifted or missing shingle, a cracked pipe boot, failed flashing at a wall or chimney, or a small area of hail or wind damage. A repair becomes a permitted job once it covers more than 10% of the roof or two roof squares, whichever is smaller, and it stops making sense when the roof is near the end of its life or the damage is spread across several slopes. A good repair roofer finds the actual source of the water first, because the stain on your ceiling is often several feet downhill from the hole.
Common Denver roof repairs
- Wind-lifted and missing shingles. Strong gusts break the seal strip, and loose shingles fold back. Reset, reseal or replace.
- Pipe boots and vent flashing. Rubber boots dry out and crack in strong sun. A cheap part, and one of the most common leak sources.
- Wall, chimney and skylight flashing. Denver’s checklist requires flashing that is rusted, damaged or deteriorated to be replaced, and any chimney wider than 30 inches needs a cricket behind it.
- Hail bruising and cracked shingles. Small, isolated damage can be repaired. Widespread hail damage is a storm damage and insurance question, and a Denver roof inspection shows which side of that line you are on.
- Ice dam leaks. Water backs up under the shingles at the eaves in winter. A repair fixes the damage; insulation and ventilation fix the cause.
- Tile and slate. Cracked tiles and slipped slates are swapped individually. See tile roofing and slate roofing.
Repair or replace? The local rules decide part of it
Your city’s code sometimes makes the call for you. A quick guide:
| Where | When a repair needs a permit | When it becomes a full replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | More than 10% of the roof or 2 squares, whichever is smaller | Partial roofs only to a natural edge, never part of a slope |
| Littleton | More than 100 sq ft | Over 100 sq ft on a shingle or tile roof requires the full roof |
| Centennial | More than 100 sq ft | Repairs over 25% of the roof require a complete tear-off |
| Lakewood | 100 sq ft or more | Replacement coverings go to the deck |
| Golden | More than 10% of the roof | Re-roofing always needs a permit |
| Unincorporated Adams County | More than 1 square on any slope | That whole slope must be replaced |
Beyond the code, replace instead of repair when the roof is near the end of its life, leaks keep moving from spot to spot, the decking is soft, or the damage covers several slopes. If the damage came from a storm, your insurance may cover a replacement; read how roof replacement through insurance works. If you are leaning toward a new roof, see Denver roof replacement.
Choosing a repair roofer in Denver
Ask for proof of license and insurance, references from recent local jobs, and a written estimate that names the materials and the area being repaired. Be wary of anyone who knocks after a storm and says no permit is needed. Our guide to understanding a roofing estimate shows what a complete estimate includes. We repair commercial roofs too; see commercial roofing.
Get your leak looked at
Once the leak is fixed, we can seal and repaint the stained ceiling; see interior painting in Denver.
We are veteran-owned, family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, and have 650+ Google reviews. Our Denver-area office is in Centennial and we reply the same business day. Call (303) 209-0152 or book a free Denver roof inspection. We will show you photos of what we find and tell you whether a repair will hold. If a bigger project makes sense, financing is available.
Sources: City and County of Denver, Roofing Guide and Checklist (updated 4/11/2024); City of Littleton, Policy 24-001; City of Centennial, Residential Roof Repairs and Re-Roofing; City of Lakewood, Roofing and Re-roofing handout; City of Golden, Required Building Permits Guide; Adams County, Residential Roofing Requirements (July 2026).
Photos From Our Projects
