Living in Texas, we’re no strangers to serious hailstorms – but how can you tell if your roof has been damaged as a result? This guide gives you tips and pointers from the area’s best roofing company so you can determine what to do after a hailstorm.
How to Tell if Your Roof Has Hail Damage
First things first: If you suspect your roof has hail damage, you should call the best local roofing company you can find. A good roofing company will offer you a free roof inspection after a storm, and during that inspection, a qualified expert will scour your roof for any sign of damage. In many cases, that’s the best way to determine whether your roof has been damaged due to hail.
Pro Tip: Even if the hail damage is minor, you should address it as soon as you can. Minor roofing problems can become major roofing problems very quickly, so the sooner you fix things, the better.
Related: What to expect from a free roof inspection
Ask the Best Roofers: What Happens if Your Roof is Damaged by Hail?
Hail damage occurs in varying degrees, based on your roof’s condition prior to the storm, the type of roofing materials you have, and the size and intensity of the hail. Wind speed, wind direction and even your roof’s slope also play roles in the amount of damage your roof sustains.
Some damage is cosmetic and won’t affect the way that your roof functions. However, some damage is functional, and it can cause serious complications. For example, roof tiles with broken edges or asphalt shingles with punctures and granule loss can’t perform their jobs properly. Here’s a quick breakdown of how seemingly minor damage can affect your roof’s performance:
- Granule loss. Shingle granules are small, round particles the help your roof shed water and protect the roofing materials beneath them. When hail knocks off these granules, your roof has lost an important layer of protection.
- Cracked shingles or tiles lead to exposure of the underlying roof materials. They can even create spots for water to get in.
- Weakened seals. Heavy winds and hail can weaken the seals on your shingles. When the seals are weakened, your shingles can blow off and leave your underlying materials exposed to the elements.
Hail Size: How it Impacts Your Roof
The following table outlines how hail size can affect your roof.
| Hail Size | Comparable Item | Potential Damage |
| 1 inch | A quarter | Little exterior damage to your roof if it was already in good condition; however, damage can be moderate to severe if your roof is older or is already compromised |
| 1.25 inches | A half-dollar | Minor damage to most roofing materials; can also cause cracks in siding |
| 1.5 inches | A walnut | Severe roof damage; can also dent wood |
| 1.75 inches | A golf ball | Major dents and broken shingles; can even cause dents in cars |
| 2.5 inches | A tennis ball | Irreparable roof damage in some cases; can also break car windows and severely damage farm crops |
Related: What to do after a North Texas storm
How to Tell if Your Roof Has Been Damaged
We never recommend climbing on your roof unless you can do safely and conditions are dry. If you’re not used to climbing on pitched surfaces, or if you’ve never been on your own roof before – or if you have roof tiles that could crack under a person’s weight – you should wait and call a professional to prevent risk of injury or further damage.
You can, however, check for damage from the ground. Here are a few signs that your roof has been damaged by hail, as told by the best roofing company’s expert technicians:
- Dents in metal flashing. Flashing is the material around things that stick out from your roof, such as chimneys and skylights. If you can see dents in the flashing, there’s a good chance that other components of your roof have also been damaged.
- Shingle granules in your yard or gutters, or near your downspouts. If you spot tiny shingle granules in your yard beneath your roofline, or if you find them in your gutters or on the ground near your downspouts, it’s an indication that hail has done a number on your roof. Hail can knock off these granules, and then they blow away with wind or wash away with water. (And just a side note: If you notice these granules, whether or not hail had anything to do with it, you need to call the best roofing company you can find.)
- Pits or dents on your roof. You may be able to see dents in shingles from the ground. You’re looking for any shape – they can be round or tear-shaped.
- Cracks in shingles or tiles. If you can see cracks in any of your roof tiles or shingles, there’s a good chance that hail may have caused serious damage. The fact is that your tiles or shingles are your home’s first line of defense against the elements – particularly water – and if they’re cracked, they can let water get in. When water gets into your roofing materials, it never ends well, so you need to contact an expert right away.
- Missing tiles or shingles. If wind has blown off your tiles or shingles, you need a professional to evaluate the extent of the damage and do what it takes to prevent further damage.
- Leaks inside your home. Get inside your attic and look around for signs of water incursion. You might notice a drip, streaks from dried water, or even mold or mildew growth. If you notice any signs that water has gotten into your attic through your roof, you need to call the best roofing company you can find immediately. Water leaks never get better on their own, and they can become exponentially worse very quickly. Even a minor leak can cause catastrophic damage to a home over time.
Related: Warning signs that your roof is failing
What to Do if Your Roof is Damaged by Hail: Advice From the Best Roofing Company
If your roof has been damaged by hail, you need to get in touch with an expert immediately. In fact, if you even suspect that hail has damaged your roof, you should get an inspector up there as soon as possible. The bottom line is that even minor hail damage can lead to roof leaks, which are expensive to fix – and could even result in you needing a complete roof replacement.
You can evaluate the damage from the ground or from a ladder at the edge of your roof (provided you can do so safely). However, it’s always a good idea to get a free roof inspection as soon as you can.
Related: 5 things you can do when you need emergency roof repair
Do You Need to Talk to the Best Roofing Company in the Area About Hail Damage?
We’re here to help you with all your roofing issues, whether you think your roof has been damaged by hail or you simply want a free roof inspection to find out for sure. Call our office today to schedule your completely free inspection; we’ll send out an expert at a time that works with your busy schedule. That’s just one of the reasons we’re known as the best roofing company in the area.
