1. Wait Until It's Safe
Do not go on your roof during or immediately after a storm. Wet shingles are extremely slippery, and hidden damage (loose flashing, lifted shingles) can make the roof unstable. Wait until the storm has passed and the roof is dry — usually the next morning.
2. Do a Ground Inspection First
Walk around your house and look for these signs from ground level:
- Granules in the gutters — a lot of black/gray sand-like material means shingles lost their protective coating
- Dented gutters, downspouts, or AC units — hail that dents metal almost certainly damaged your roof
- Bruised or missing shingles — look for dark spots on asphalt shingles (bruises) or bare spots where granules are gone
- Broken tree branches — limbs on the roof can scrape off granules and puncture the underlayment
- Cracked skylights or roof vents — these are weak points and often the first to show hail damage
3. Then Go Up (If Comfortable and Safe)
If you can safely access your roof with a ladder, check:
- Shingle condition — press down gently on suspect areas. If the shingle feels soft or spongy (like a bruised apple), the fiberglass mat underneath is fractured
- Flashing — look for dents, separation, or lifted edges around chimneys, vents, and skylights
- Ridge caps — these take the most direct hail impact and often show damage first
- Pipe boots — rubber seals around plumbing vents crack in the Texas sun; hail can finish them off
⚠️ If you're not comfortable on a roof, stop here. Don't risk a fall for a DIY inspection. A licensed roofer will do it for free.
4. Document Everything
Take photos and video of:
- Every dent, bruise, or missing granule spot
- Gutters with granule accumulation
- Dented AC units, outdoor faucets, or metal patio covers (these help prove hail size and severity)
- Time-stamped shots of the damage before any repairs
This documentation is your strongest tool when filing an insurance claim.
5. Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor for a Free Inspection
Most reputable Texas roofers offer free inspections. A licensed contractor will:
- Walk the roof and take their own photos
- Identify hail versus wind versus wear damage
- Give you an honest assessment of whether a claim is worth filing
- Help with the insurance supplement process if needed
🚩 Avoid door-knockers who show up the day after a storm. Use a local company with verifiable reviews and a physical address in your city.
6. Contact Your Homeowners Insurance — If Appropriate
Not every storm requires a claim. Here's how to decide:
| Do file a claim | Don't file a claim |
|---|---|
| ✅ Clear hail damage across multiple roof slopes | ❌ One or two small dents |
| ✅ Missing shingles with exposed underlayment | ❌ Granule loss from age (wear, not storm) |
| ✅ Gutters and AC units also damaged | ❌ No interior leaks or visible penetration |
| ✅ Roof is under 15 years old | ❌ Roof is 20+ years old nearing end of life |
📌 Every claim goes on your CLUE report — too many claims (even small ones) can raise your rates or get you non-renewed. Don't file for minor damage.
7. If You File a Claim
- You'll pay your deductible (typically 1–2% of your home's insured value for hail)
- The adjuster will inspect and write a scope of work
- Your contractor can submit a supplement if the adjuster missed items
- In Texas, you typically have 1–2 years from the storm date to file (check your policy)
🇪🇸 En Español
Cómo revisar tu techo después de una tormenta en Texas
La temporada de granizo en Texas va de marzo a junio. Si acaba de pasar una tormenta, esto es lo que debes hacer paso a paso.
- Espera a que sea seguro — No te subas al techo durante la tormenta ni inmediatamente después. Las tejas mojadas son muy resbaladizas. Espera al día siguiente.
- Inspecciona desde el suelo — Busca granulado en las canaletas (arena negra/gris), canaletas abolladas, tejas con manchas oscuras, ramas rotas, y claraboyas rotas.
- Si te sientes seguro, sube al techo — Revisa tejas que se sientan blandas, flashing alrededor de chimeneas, tapas de cumbre, y sellos de goma (pipe boots).
- Toma fotos de TODO — Cada abolladura, cada mancha, canaletas con granulado, y tu unidad de AC. Estas fotos son tu mejor evidencia para el seguro.
- Llama a un contratista con licencia — La mayoría ofrece inspección gratuita. ⚠️ Cuidado con los que tocan puertas después de la tormenta.
- Decide si hacer el reclamo — Haz el reclamo si hay daño visible en varias áreas, tejas faltantes, o canaletas y AC dañados. Cada reclamo queda en tu historial CLUE.
- Si haces el reclamo — Pagas tu deducible, el ajustador inspecciona, y tu contratista puede pedir un suplemento si el ajustador no incluyó todo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call my insurance before the roofer?
No. Call a roofer first for a free inspection. If they find real damage, then file the claim. Filing a claim before you know what you're dealing with can backfire.
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Texas?
Most policies allow 1–2 years from the storm date. Check your policy — some carriers are shortening this window. Don't wait.
Will my rates go up if I file a claim?
Probably yes, somewhat. Roof replacement claims from hail are considered "acts of nature" and usually raise rates less than liability or water damage claims. The bigger risk is filing a small claim that gets denied but still goes on your record.
What size hail actually damages a roof?
In general: 1 inch (quarter-size) or larger can damage composition shingles. Smaller hail may damage older, brittle shingles. On metal roofs, even pea-sized hail can dent softer metals like aluminum.
Should I fix a small leak myself?
Only if you're 100% sure it's minor and you know what you're doing. Most DIY roof repairs in Texas end up either voiding the warranty or making the insurance claim harder. A roofer can seal a small penetration properly for $150–300 — worth the peace of mind.