Get a Free Estimate 
If a recent storm has come through the area, then you might be wondering how hail damage affects your roof and whether you need to call a professional team for repairs. Often, you can’t see hail damage when looking at the roof while standing on the ground. But the damage from the hail impact can cause damage to the shingles, eventually leading to serious complications and expensive repairs.
Here in the DFW area, we are close to one of the areas in the US that gets the most hailstorms. So, hail damage in this area is a recurring problem that every property owner needs to be proactive about.
Why DFW Homeowners Can’t Afford to Ignore Hail Damage
Even if you look at your roof after a storm and everything seems to be fine, it’s important to understand how much hail damage can lead to long-term damage to your home. In fact, assuming that your roof is fine after a hailstorm is one of the most expensive assumptions that you can make.
When the shingles are damaged by hail, they continue breaking down over time. As a result, moisture and water can seep under the shingles and start to cause water damage to the roof structure and even the ceilings and walls in your home. Eventually, you not only need a replacement roof, but you might be facing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in restoration costs as well.
The better solution is to identify and repair hail damage as soon as possible. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of water damage and other complications.
What Hail Actually Does to Your Roof
There are different issues that can occur when your roof has been battered by a hailstorm. Even if you have a high-quality roof and durable shingles, some of the issues that can occur include:
- Granule Loss: The impact of the storm can cause roof granule loss from hail, which is inconspicuous damage that ages your roof quickly. As these granules fall off the shingles, it increases the risk of roof leaks and water damage.
- Bruised and Fractured Shingles: Small areas of damage on the shingles can weaken their structure and compromise the overall integrity of the roof.
- Exposed Roof: Once the granule coverage breaks down and the mat integrity has been affected, cracks and punctures will start to appear. The roof asphalt will be exposed, which is a big red flag that you have a serious issue that needs to be repaired immediately.
There are two factors that will determine whether your roof is damaged in a storm: the size of the hail and the age/durability of your roofing materials. Here in Texas, some of the worst storms bring hail ranging in size from quarters to golf balls. This size of hail will usually damage most roofs that are hit by the storm.
How to Spot the Most Common Signs of Hail Damage on Roof
The main thing that you need to understand is that there can still be hail damage, even if your roof looks fine from your perspective on the ground. In severe storms, some types of hail damage might be visible if you are standing on the ground and using binoculars. But there are other types of hail damage that can only be identified with a close-up inspection from a roofing expert.
- Immediately After a Hailstorm: Look for warning signs such as dents in the gutters or damage to the siding. Cracked window screens are also an indication of the strength of the hailstorm. These signs mean that there is a pretty good likelihood that your roof was damaged as well.
- Long After the Storm: If your roof was damaged by hail a while ago and you didn’t get it repaired, then other signs might start popping up. For example, if you can see water stains in the attic or a sagging ceiling, then it’s an indication that you have a serious water damage issue that should be addressed immediately. At this point, the damaged shingles have allowed water to work its way into your home.
A ground-level check is never enough. If there has been a hailstorm recently, then the best thing you can do is call our team for a professional inspection. We have modern tools that can be used to identify the earliest signs of damage, including drones and thermal imaging that show us where the weaknesses in the roof need to be repaired.
The Hail Damage Timeline: Seemingly Small Damage Can Become a Disaster
- Immediately After the Storm: The worst damage isn’t immediately noticeable right after a hailstorm. Initially, there might be dents on the shingles, and the granules are loose. The initial impact leaves signs of damage, but it takes time for the bigger consequences to occur.
- A Few Weeks Later: A few weeks after the storm, the roof is continuing to break down because of the ongoing UV exposure on the damaged parts of the roof. The shingles are already weak, and this UV exposure makes them even more brittle, which means that your roof is breaking down at an accelerated rate.
- Several Months After the Hail Damage: After a few months have passed, if the damaged shingles were not repaired, then you will start to have more noticeable damage. At this point, you might see cracks in the shingles or signs of moisture damage.
- Years Later: Delaying roof repairs for years can be a serious problem, but it happens when homeowners don’t realize that their roof was damaged in a storm. Not only have additional hailstorms come through and caused more damage, but the unaddressed damage typically leads to severe consequences such as wood rot, mold, and structural issues in your home.
The best solution is to identify the damage in the earliest stages…as soon as possible after the hailstorm. Then, you can take a proactive approach to repair the roof before the most serious issues start to develop.
FAQs
How quickly after a hailstorm should I get my roof inspected?
As soon as reasonably possible, ideally within days. The roof damage can worsen quickly because of the continued exposure to the sun and other storms.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Texas?
The filing window depends on your insurance policy, but most homeowners have between one and two years after the date of the storm. It’s best to file a claim sooner rather than later so that you can repair the roof before bigger issues occur.
Call For Hail Damage Roof Repair in Texas
At Infinite Roofing, we can come to your home to inspect your roof after a storm. Additionally, we provide a full range of exterior services, including solar installation, windows, gutters, and more. Contact us today if you suspect that your roof is damaged.