They say everything’s bigger in Texas. Unfortunately, that includes hail! Damaging storms aren’t just a problem during storm season — you never know when an unexpected hail barrage may strike. All Texas homeowners need to be on the lookout for hail damage to their roofs. No two storms are alike: wind speed, hail quantity, and hail size can all affect how much damage your roof sustains during a given storm.

Even if a storm doesn’t look too bad from the living room window, you should always take a walk around the yard and check for signs of hail damage. The sooner you notice problems with your shingles or catch growing leaks, the faster you can get them fixed by expert contractors.

What Does Hail Damage Look Like On A Roof & How To Fix It Fast

There’s just one problem: how can you tell if your roof has hail damage if you’ve never seen it before? Let’s answer that question and more so you know when to call contractors for fast fixes.

Signs Of Hail Damage To Your Roof

You can often tell when your roof has been harmed by looking for signs of hail damage on the ground or on other aspects of your house. By checking for hail damage, you can give an accurate report to a roofing contractor or your insurance company, plus have a better idea of what to expect from an official inspection. Check for signs like:

• Dings or dents on your garage door or downspouts above five feet — that’s damage that can only come from flying hail!
• Paint damage or dents in your home’s siding.
• Broken window panes or screens.
• Damage to yard furniture or mailboxes.
• Loose shingles on the ground — they had to come from somewhere!

Don’t forget to check your gutters, too. If your gutters around your roof have dents or holes on the bottom from hail, odds are the recent storm was tough enough to do a number on the roof itself.

Of course, you might also notice some interior signs of hail damage to your roof, such as leaks. If your roof is dripping water into your living room, you can bet it’s time to call a qualified roofing contractor!

Calling A Contractor For A Free Assessment

If you’re not sure whether your roof has hail damage — or if the damage is severe enough for repairs — don’t break out the ladder yourself and climb up top. That can be dangerous, even in the best circumstances.

Instead, contact licensed roof repair specialists to take a look for you. Stonewater Roofing offers a free damage assessment without charging you a dime. Our team can check out your roof from above and give you an official breakdown of the damage and the best next steps to take, including roof repairs or replacement.

If you have asphalt or composition shingles, your contractor might report seeing:

• Black marks or “bruises” on your shingles.
• Asphalt granules in the gutters.
• Bare patches on individual shingles.
• Shattered or cracked shingles.

If you have wood shingles, your contractor might notice signs of hail damage such as:

• Split or shattered shingles.
• Hail impact marks along the splits through wood shingles.

Hail damage signs also include dents, cracks, or holes. Typically, hail pieces larger than one inch in diameter are enough to cause major dents and cracks on shingles.

Importance Of Repairing A Roof Damaged By Hail As Soon As Possible

If you notice any damage to your roof after a hailstorm, you should get it looked at by a pro, even if it doesn’t seem to be so bad now. Even minor damage can become worse if you fail to repair it quickly.

Picture a single shingle broken off your roof after the season’s first hailstorm. It’s not a big deal… at first. But when the next hailstorm comes, that exposed patch of roof will be much more vulnerable to major cracks, leaks, and other problems.

Taking care of damage from hail early will save you money — and a big headache — in the long run. It’s much cheaper to replace a few broken shingles or perform basic roof repairs than it is to replace your roof wholesale after a heavy downpour of hail.

When Is Roof Replacement Necessary?

Sometimes, though, you get so unlucky, and your roof sustains enough hail damage that a roof replacement is necessary. The trick is determining when that’s the case.

Generally, your roof should be replaced after hail damage:

• If multiple major leaks are affecting your home.
• If a large portion of the shingles are damaged or destroyed.
• If it would cost roughly the same to repair your existing roof as it would be to replace it completely.

It can be tough to tell whether your roof is damaged enough to warrant a replacement without the right expertise.

Licensed roofing contractors like Stonewater Roofing can take a look at your roof when you’re not sure. With more than a decade of experience in this area, we know what to look for and how to judge whether a roof should be replaced rather than repaired for long-term safety and cost-effectiveness.

Is Hail Damage Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

Typically, yes. Most homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage, alongside other roof damage caused by weather events like major storms, tornadoes, fallen tree branches, and more.

However, to get the cost of a roof repair job or replacement covered by your insurer, you’ll need to have the damage evaluated. Licensed contractors at Stonewater Roofing can do that for you, plus offer knowledgeable repair or replacement recommendations.  

How Much Does It Cost To Repair Hail Damage Or Replace A Roof?

Insurance coverage comes as a major relief to many Texas homeowners in hail season. Average storm damage roof repairs cost about $700, according to HomeAdvisor. However, costs could be higher if you don’t repair hail damage as soon as you see it. If you’re properly insured, you’ll only ever pay up to your deductible for hail repairs or roof replacements.

Still, it is important to get your roof checked after a hailstorm clears. The earlier the roof damage is caught, the sooner you can get it fixed.

Stonewater Roofing: Roof Repair Specialists You Can Count On

As licensed roofing contractors for Texas homeowners like you, Stonewater Roofing is the go-to choice for roof repair work. When a hailstorm bombards your home, we’ll stop by to do an assessment and help you get started on any necessary repairs.

More importantly, we’ll tackle small issues before they become too big for comfort. And if you need a roof replacement, you can bet Stonewater Roofing will handle the job professionally and efficiently.

Don’t leave signs of hail damage unattended. Contact the experts at Stonewater Roofing today for a free damage assessment.