Storm Damage · Hail
Hail Damage Roof Repair in Houston, TX
Hail is a recurring risk across the Houston area, and the damage it does to a roof is often invisible from the driveway — until it turns into a leak months later. This guide explains what hail does to different roofing materials, what you can safely check from the ground, why a professional inspection matters, and how the insurance process works if damage is found. If a storm has passed over your neighborhood, the free inspection is the place to start.
- Dated photo documentation
- Same-day inspections available
- 24/7 customer support
- Honest repair-or-replace recommendation
The Damage
What hail does to a roofing system
Hail damage isn't just cosmetic. Depending on hail size, density and wind, a hailstone can compromise the parts of the roof that keep water out.
Asphalt shingles
Impact knocks protective granules loose (a "bruise"), exposing the asphalt to UV, and can fracture the fiberglass mat underneath. Bruised shingles age faster and can crack and leak over the following months and years.
Vents, flashing & soft metals
Dents in aluminum vents, turbine caps, drip edge, flashing and gutters. Dents in soft metal rarely leak on their own, but they're the clearest evidence of hail size and direction — and can open seams on vents.
Gutters & downspouts
Dented gutters and downspouts, and — more telling — a layer of shingle granules washed into the gutters and out the downspouts after the storm.
Metal roofing
Cosmetic denting on panels. Standing-seam and thicker-gauge panels resist it well; damage is more likely at seams, fasteners and trim. Some policies treat metal-roof denting as cosmetic — check your policy.
Tile roofing
Cracked or broken clay and concrete tiles, especially on older, brittle tile. Broken tiles expose the underlayment, which then has to do all the work of keeping water out.
Flat & low-slope roofs
Punctures or fractures in aged TPO or modified bitumen membranes, and damage to skylights, HVAC curbs and rooftop equipment.
Look, Don't Climb
Signs of hail damage you can safely check from the ground
After a hail storm, take a slow walk around the property. You're looking for evidence that hail was large enough to matter — not trying to diagnose the roof.
- Dents on soft metals: gutters, downspouts, mailbox, A/C unit fins, garage door, window screens and frames, painted metal railings.
- Granules: a gritty layer at the bottom of downspouts, on the driveway below the eaves, or in the splash blocks.
- Damage to other surfaces: shredded leaves, stripped plants, chipped paint on decks, cracked patio furniture, dented vehicles.
- Roof edges visible from the ground: torn or missing shingle tabs, exposed underlayment, damaged ridge caps, bent vents.
- Skylights and windows: cracks or dents in frames and flashing.
- Later: ceiling stains, damp attic insulation or a musty smell in the weeks after the storm.
Seeing several of these doesn't mean your roof is damaged — and seeing none doesn't mean it isn't. It means it's worth a professional look.
Photograph what you see
Take dated photos of dents, granules and debris from the ground. If the roof turns out to be damaged, this ground-level evidence helps establish when the storm happened and how hard it hit your property.
Hidden Damage
Why hail damage often isn't obvious
Most hail damage doesn't produce a leak the next day. A bruised shingle is still in place; it has simply lost the granules that protect the asphalt from the sun and may have a fractured mat you can't see. Over the following seasons, Houston's UV and heat accelerate the aging of every bruised spot, the asphalt dries and cracks, and water finds its way in. By the time a stain appears on a ceiling, the connection to a specific storm can be hard to establish.
That's why roofing professionals and insurance adjusters inspect hail the same way: by examining the shingle surface up close across each slope and by checking soft-metal "collateral" components — vents, flashing, gutters — where hail leaves unmistakable dents. The pattern matters, too. Hail usually hits hardest on the slopes facing the storm, so damage concentrated on one or two slopes with dented metals on the same sides is a strong indicator, while scattered wear across all slopes usually isn't hail.
Two things we won't tell you: that you definitely have damage just because hail fell nearby, or that you definitely don't because the roof looks fine from the street. Both require getting on the roof.
Safety First
Please stay off the roof
We'd rather inspect a roof for free than have a homeowner get hurt. After a storm, roofs are often wet, covered in loose granules and debris, and may have hidden soft spots. Walking on bruised shingles can also cause additional damage. Look from the ground, take photos, and let a professional with the right equipment do the climbing.
If water is coming in now
Move belongings, catch the water, and call us. Emergency tarping may be available for active roof leaks before the permanent repair. Keep receipts for any temporary measures — insurers often reimburse reasonable steps taken to prevent further damage.
Free Hail Inspection
What a ProBuild hail damage inspection evaluates
A hail inspection is more systematic than a general roof check because the goal is to establish whether damage exists, how widespread it is, and to document it in a way that stands up if you file a claim.
Every slope, not just the front
We inspect each roof slope separately and note the direction hail came from. Damage counts per slope are what determine repair vs. replacement and what an adjuster will look at.
Shingle surface up close
Bruises, granule loss, fractured mats, exposed asphalt and cracked or torn tabs — photographed with a marker for scale where useful.
Soft-metal collateral
Vents, turbine caps, flashing, drip edge, gutters, downspouts and skylight frames. Dents here corroborate hail size and direction.
Other components
Ridge caps, valleys, pipe boots, satellite mounts, siding, window screens and A/C fins — all of which can be damaged and some of which insurers include in a claim.
Pre-existing conditions
We note age-related wear, previous repairs and manufacturing defects separately from hail damage, because your insurer will, and honest documentation protects your credibility.
Dated photo report
You receive dated photos organized by slope and component, a written summary and — if work is needed — an itemized estimate. See what every ProBuild inspection includes.
After the Inspection
Repair or replacement after hail?
The answer depends mostly on how widespread the damage is and the condition of the roof before the storm.
| Situation | Typical recommendation |
|---|---|
| A handful of hits on one slope; roof otherwise in good condition | Repair — replace damaged shingles and dented components |
| Damage across several slopes; dented vents and gutters | Replacement is usually the sound choice; likely an insurance claim |
| Older roof with bruising plus general wear | Replacement; insurer may apply depreciation — see the claim guide |
| Dents on metals but no shingle damage found | Repair or replace damaged metals; no roof replacement needed |
| No hail damage found | Nothing — we'll tell you, and you'll have photos on file for the future |
If you're replacing a hail-damaged roof, consider impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles, which are tested to resist hail and may qualify for a homeowners insurance discount in Texas — ask your carrier.
Insurance
Hail damage and your homeowners insurance
Most Texas homeowners policies cover sudden hail damage, subject to your deductible and policy terms — but policies differ on wind/hail deductibles, roof age schedules, cosmetic-damage exclusions and time limits for reporting. In broad strokes, the process looks like this:
- Inspection and documentation — establish whether there's damage and photograph it.
- Review your policy — deductible, actual cash value vs. replacement cost, any roof-specific terms.
- Contact your insurer and file the claim; note the claim number.
- Adjuster inspection — ProBuild can coordinate with you and your insurance adjuster and provide our inspection findings and documentation.
- Scope and estimate review — compare the insurer's scope with the contractor's estimate.
- Repairs — you pay your deductible; the roof is restored.
ProBuild is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster or an insurance company. We document damage and perform the work; decisions about your claim are between you and your insurer. Under Texas law your deductible is your responsibility, and a contractor may not offer to waive or absorb it.
Read the full guide
Deductibles, ACV vs. RCV, recoverable depreciation, supplements, the adjuster visit, questions to ask your insurer and red flags to avoid — in plain language.
Texas roof insurance claim process
Need help with the deductible? Financing options are available for qualified homeowners.
Hail Damage FAQ
Common questions about hail damage
If hail fell in my area, does my roof definitely have damage?
No. Whether a roof is damaged depends on the size and density of the hail, wind direction, the roofing material, its age and condition, and the slope's exposure. Two houses on the same street can come through the same storm very differently. The only way to know is an inspection.
What does hail damage look like on asphalt shingles?
Typically a roughly circular bruise where granules have been knocked loose, exposing the dark asphalt beneath, sometimes with a soft spot where the fiberglass mat has fractured. Bruises are often hard to see from the ground, which is why inspectors look at soft metal components like vents and gutters for dents that indicate the size and direction of the hail.
Is it safe to check my own roof for hail damage?
Check from the ground only. Walking on a roof — especially one that may be wet, damaged or covered in loose granules — is dangerous, and foot traffic can cause additional damage to bruised shingles. Look at gutters, downspouts, window screens, A/C units and the yard for signs, then request a professional inspection.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to a roof in Texas?
Most Texas homeowners policies cover sudden hail damage, subject to the policy's deductible and terms. Coverage, deductibles and any roof-specific limits vary by policy, so review yours or ask your insurer. Under Texas law the deductible is the homeowner's responsibility and cannot be waived by a contractor. See the claim process guide.
Can hail damage be repaired, or does the roof have to be replaced?
It depends on how widespread the damage is. Limited hits on one slope or a small number of shingles can often be repaired. Damage across several slopes, or hail bruising on an older roof, usually points to replacement. ProBuild documents the pattern of damage with photos so the recommendation is based on evidence.
How soon after a hail storm should I have the roof inspected?
Sooner is better. Hail damage can take months to turn into leaks, and inspecting soon after a storm documents the damage while it is clearly storm-related. Insurance policies also have time limits for reporting claims — check your policy for the specific deadline.
Related storm & roofing guides
Hail in your area? Get a free inspection and a straight answer.
Dated photos, an honest repair-or-replace recommendation, and documentation you can use if you file a claim — for homeowners across Greater Houston.