How to Know if Hail Has Damaged Your Roof

The weather in Central Texas can bring it all—intense heat, severe storms, tornadoes, and even hail. Your roof must withstand all these elements, but Mother Nature can sometimes be too much. 

If hail damage occurs in your Austin home, it’s vital to repair it quickly. Vulnerable roofs are prone to leaks; once your roof leaks, the damage can soon escalate to other areas of your house.

How Severe Weather Can Damage Your Roof

Severe weather can strike any time here in Texas, and when it does, you may find yourself holding your breath and wondering if your roof made it through yet another storm. 

Because no two storms are alike (and no two roofs are alike either), it’s crucial to stay on top of roof inspections and maintenance so that your roof is in the strongest position to battle the weather – and so that you can breathe a little easier next time the clouds darken and the thunder rolls. 

Severe weather comes in many forms, but the biggest problems for roofs in Austin are wind, rain, and hail—or a combination of all three.

• Wind – High winds can rip off shingles and tear off tree limbs, easily becoming projectiles headed straight for your roof. One fallen tree limb can puncture your roof entirely and expose it to rain.

• Rain – Water is any homeowner’s enemy, and a leaky or exposed roof provides an all-too-convenient path for water to enter your home. Insulation can quickly get saturated, and soon, you’ll be staring down another kind of opponent: mold.

• Hail – Whether as small as a pebble or as large as a baseball, punishing hail can beat down on a roof and leave it weakened (at best) or need a complete replacement (at worst). To learn more about hail damage and your roof.

• Tornado – These stealthy storms come in fast and hit hard. Tornadoes can rip off your roof with the same ease that it takes for you to lift a blanket over your bed. They can also down trees, power lines, and cause other structural issues.

How to Know if You Have Hail Damage

One of the first things to do after a hailstorm passes through your area is to assess for damage. Here are a few signs to look for:

• Dents and dings on your roof as well as in other places like your gutters, siding, windowsills, air conditioner, and other outdoor items
• Granule loss on your asphalt shingles – while some missing granules may not seem like a big deal (it’s not a hole, after all!), this type of damage can accelerate the aging process of your shingles and should be promptly repaired
• Cracks in your shingles
• Loose shingles or any exposed roof surface
• Weakened seal,s which are essential for securing shingles to your roof
• Black-colored dots on your shingles

Even small hailstones can damage a roof, so it’s essential to have your roof professionally inspected after a storm rolls through. If your roof is damaged, you’ll want to call your insurance company right away, too. Depending on your policy, homeowners insurance typically covers roof damage from hail.

Ignoring roof damage can lead to more expensive issues down the road, like mold or electrical problems, so it’s always wise to take preventive action as much as possible when it comes to something as important as your roof.

Repairing Your Roof After Hail Damage

If you’re hunkered downstairs during a storm and hear the tell-tale clink of hail on your roof and windows, you may be tempted to fear the worst immediately. After all, big, heavy hail can be disastrous, and history tells us that the pit forming in your stomach may have good reason to be there.

Before you start panicking, it’s important to remember that experienced roofing contractors, like us at Storm Guard of SW Austin, are available to help, and most insurance policies cover damage caused by hail.

It’s also important to remember that roof damage caused by hail can run the gamut in severity. Sometimes, minor repairs are all that are needed, or if you’re lucky, you might walk away without any damage.

Step 1: Identify if You Have Damage (and Understand Its Severity)

Significant hail damage is generally fairly obvious even from the ground, but it’s best to contact a roofer to inspect the damage from above professionally right away. 

Then, call your insurance company if there is damage. Our team at Storm Guard will go on the roof with your insurance adjuster when they inspect your property. We’ve found it helpful to have a second set of eyes on your roof when looking at damage with the adjuster.

If needed, you may have to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home while you wait for permanent fixes. 

Dents and dings, loose or missing shingles, banged-up gutters, and other signs of hail damage are all clues that you should call a professional for a more thorough roof inspection.

Step 2: Determine if You Need to Repair or Replace Your Roof

Once a roofer has inspected your hail damage, you’ll need to decide if making roof repairs will be enough to fix the damage or if you need a full roof replacement.

We at Storm Guard of SW Austin would like to advise homeowners on their options so they can make the most informed decision about how to proceed. There may not be just one correct answer. The age and condition of your existing roof will likely influence how you proceed after a damaging event, as will other financial considerations.

What to Do if a Tornado Damages Your Roof

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to the weather in Central Texas, and unfortunately, the moments that tend to be most memorable are often the ones we’d rather forget.

That’s how many homeowners feel when a tornado rips through the area, especially when it takes their roof with it.

If your home has been in the path of a storm, it’s always a good idea to get your roof professionally inspected once the dust settles. Even if there aren’t any signs of obvious or significant damage, strong winds and heavy rains can weaken your roof. Over time, this can become increasingly problematic. 

In nearly all instances, it is far cheaper to repair and reinforce your existing roof preventively than wait until you have no choice but to replace it. 

Tornados are among the most powerful storms, and a direct hit on your home can leave you with significant loss and damage. It is a highly stressful experience in and of itself, but to make matters worse, you’re left with the hassle and anxiety of trying to repair or replace what’s been lost. 

We Can Help

At Storm Guard of SW Austin, we understand the significant challenges of roof loss. We do everything we can to ease the burden on you by providing prompt service and superior communication. We also partner with your insurance company so you have one less thing to worry about.

If you’ve had storm damage to your roof or have questions about how to properly care for and maintain your roof throughout the year, don’t hesitate to call our team at Storm Guard of SW Austin.