What do insurance adjuster markings on a roof mean?
Short answer. Chalk circles usually mark individual hail hits, a chalk box outlines a 10 by 10 foot test square, and a number in or beside the box records how many hits were counted. Letters or arrows commonly label the slope or the type of damage, but there is no universal code, so ask the adjuster to explain the marks before leaving and photograph them before rain washes them away.
Common marks and what they usually mean
- Small circles: individual hail hits the inspector counted as damage.
- A large chalk box: a test square, normally 10 by 10 feet, which is one roofing square.
- A number in or beside the box: the hit count for that square.
- Letters for slopes: often F, B, L and R, or compass letters like N, S, E and W, so photos can be matched to a slope. A W might mean west or wind, which is one reason to ask.
- Marks on creased or lifted shingles: sometimes a line, arrow or letter flags wind damage.
- Marks on vents and metals: circles around dents on box vents, ridge vents and gutters.
Adjusters, roofers and engineers all use chalk or marking crayons, and each has their own habits, so two people can mark the same roof differently.
Why the marks matter to your claim
The marks are temporary, but photos of them become evidence. A photo of a chalked square with a visible count is what a desk adjuster or appraiser will review months later. Rain and sun fade chalk within days or weeks, so take your own wide and close photos of every marked area the same day.
Practical tips
- Do not wash, scrub or pressure wash the marks off.
- If your roofer marked squares before the adjuster came, ask the adjuster to review those same squares.
- If the counts look low or a slope was never marked, ask in writing for a reinspection.
For how counts turn into a decision, see test squares for hail damage and what roof adjusters look for.