What to Know About Hail Season in Texas

When hail season is around the corner, it’s time to start getting prepared. This guide breaks down what you, as a homeowner, should know about hail season in Texas.

When is Hail Season in Texas?

In Texas, hail season primarily occurs from March to May. During this time, the state often experiences severe weather, including hailstorms. However, it’s not rare for hailstorms to happen in the summer months, particularly in June and July. These storms can vary in intensity and can cause significant damage, especially to roofs, fences, windows and vehicles. Being aware of this seasonal pattern is crucial for homeowners to prepare and protect their property.

How Bad is Hail Season in Texas?

According to a hail loss study released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau in 2020, Texas led the nation in major hail events and hail loss claims between 2017 and 2019. According to the report, between 2017 and 2019, Texas residents filed 637,977 hail loss claims.

Can I Prevent Hail Damage Before a Storm?

The best way to avoid hail damage is to take preventative measures to ensure your roof is in great shape before hail season begins. Our team can perform a courtesy roof inspection and provide you with a detailed photo report. Then, we can make any repairs necessary to make sure your roof is prepared to handle the torrential rain that often comes during hail season. Another way to prevent hail damage is to remove any branches that could fall on your roof. Sometimes debris can cause even more damage than hail.

Unfortunately, there’s no stopping Mother Nature. The best thing you can do to prevent damage to your home during hail season is to have a reliable roofing contractor on standby for when the inevitable happens. When your roof is hit by hail, you can feel confident that your Elevated Roofing contractor will make your home a priority. They will be at your house the next day for an inspection or even within hours for any necessary temporary tarp covers to prevent water intrusion.

What Can I Do if I Suspect Hail Caused My Roof Damage?

If you suspect that a storm damaged your roof, you may need hail damage roof repair. The first thing you should do is have a licensed, insured, trusted and professional roofing expert assess your roof and property for hail and storm damage.

Hailstorms can cause visible damage to your roof. A few examples of visible damage include:

• Patches of missing or damaged shingles
• Debris on the roof, such as tree limbs
• New water damage inside the house
• Loose granules from the hail impacted shingles can get washed down the gutters after it rains, post hailstorm. You can find these typically near the gutter or downspout ends.

Related: How to assess your roof for hail damage

Even if you cannot find any visible damage, you don’t want to leave it unchecked. Roof damage can lead to structural and interior damage to your home. Have one of our professionals perform a free roof inspection, with no obligation to you! We can offer you a detailed photo report outlining all damage or issues found during the inspection, giving you more information about your roof’s integrity and whether it needs repairs or replacement.

Hail Damage FAQ

Check out these frequently asked questions about hail damage in Texas. If you don’t see your question here, just give us a call — we’ll get you the answers you need.

Why Should I Call a Roofing Expert After a Hailstorm?

If you think a hailstorm has damaged your roof, the first step is to contact a professional roofing expert. Look for someone who is licensed, insured, and has a good reputation. They will thoroughly inspect your roof and property for any signs of hail or storm damage. A professional assessment is vital in determining the extent of the damage and the necessary repairs.

Related: Everything you need to know about Timberline Solar™

How Long Do You Have to Claim Hail Damage on a Roof in Texas?

How long you have to make a claim with your insurance provider for hail damage will depend on your insurance policy. Each policy is different and will outline how long you have to file a claim. Typically, in Texas, it is common to have one year to file a claim.

We recommend that you let your insurance provider know about the damage as soon as our trusted roofing experts have fully inspected your property and confirmed that there is sufficient damage to warrant a roof replacement. Your insurance company will schedule an appointment to send an adjuster to inspect the damage. Let your insurance company know in advance that you have chosen us as your roofing contractor, you want us there for the meeting, and it is important for them to be in agreement with us.

Elevated Roofing works with insurance companies every day. If we sign a contract with you (per your permission), we can speak for hours over the phone with your insurance company so you don’t have to!

Related: What should a roof estimate include?

When Should My Roof Be Replaced After Hail Damage?

If there is visible damage after a storm, we recommend that you call a licensed, local and insured roofing contractor right away. Depending on the extent of the damage, your contractor may need to take emergency roof repair measures until your roof can be repaired or replaced.

Even if there is no visible damage, we recommend that you reach out to us after a storm. We provide a free roof inspection at no obligation to you. We do this in a variety of ways: visually from the ground, on the roof, in your attic and sometimes even through the use of a drone. Then, we will happily go over our findings with you and provide you with a detailed inspection photo report outlining all damage or issues found during the inspection. We can determine whether your roof needs a total replacement, or if it just needs repairs.

Related: Request a free, contactless drone roof inspection

How Can I Tell if My Roof Has Been Damaged by Hail?

To check if hail has damaged your roof, look for clear signs like dents or bruises on shingles, or missing pieces in asphalt shingles where the granules have been knocked off. You might also notice shingles that look shiny, as the hail impact can remove their protective layer. Another indicator is dents on your roof’s metal parts, such as vents or flashing. It’s not always easy to spot hail damage from the ground, so consider getting a professional inspection for an accurate assessment. But if you notice dents on your gutters or marks on your fence, you can almost be certain your roof has hail damage.

What Happens During a Free Roof Inspection?

In a free roof inspection, a roofing expert will examine your roof thoroughly to assess its condition. They will look for signs of damage, wear and tear, and potential vulnerabilities. This includes checking shingles, flashing, gutters, and any roof penetrations like vents. The inspector will also assess the overall structural integrity of the roof. After the inspection, they will provide you with a detailed report on the roof’s condition, highlighting any areas that need repair or attention and an estimate to what it would cost to repair or replace your roof.

Related: What to look for when you need a commercial roofer in Texas

How Long Will It Take to Fix My Roof After Hail Damage?

The time it takes to repair hail damage on your roof can vary depending on the extent of the damage. Minor repairs, like replacing a few shingles, can be completed relatively quickly, possibly within a day. More extensive damage that requires large sections of the roof to be repaired or replaced can take several days to a week. The exact timeline will depend on factors such as the size of the roof, the availability of materials, and weather conditions. A professional roofing contractor can provide a more accurate timeline after assessing the damage.

Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage to My Roof?

Many homeowners’ insurance policies cover roof damage caused by hail, but the extent of the coverage can vary. Factors such as your policy details, the age and type of your roof, and your insurance deductible can influence the coverage. If your roof is older, your insurance might only cover its depreciated value.

To make a claim, document the damage with photos and notes, and get a professional roof inspection report. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file the claim and provide all necessary documentation to facilitate the claims process.

Contact Elevated Roofing Today to Schedule a Free Inspection

At Elevated Roofing, we provide premier residential roofing services, including roof repairs, hail and storm damage repairs and roof replacements. We proudly bring excellence and integrity to the roofing business by consistently delivering quality, reliable and cost-effective services to protect your property and investment.