Austin is known for its wild weather, from devastating tornadoes to blistering and humid summers. The occasional hail storm, too, is part and parcel of living in the capital of the Lone Star State.
Few things make homeowners’ hearts race with worry more than the sound of hail plinking against their roofs. If a hail storm recently came to town, you may wonder, “What does hail damage look like on a roof? How do I know if I need roof repair?”
Below, learn everything you need to know about spotting hail damage to your roof. And if you need repairs, give our Austin roofing contractors a call.
The Fascinating Science Behind Hail Formation
Before we dive into collateral hail damage indicators, you might be curious how hail forms in the first place. Hailstones form when thunderstorm updrafts blow raindrops into the upper atmosphere, where temperatures are cold enough to freeze the rain into ice. When hail grows too heavy for updrafts to support, it falls to the ground.
How fast can hail fall? That depends on its size and weight. Small hailstones measuring less than one inch in diameter fall at speeds of nine to 25 miles per hour. The largest hailstones, with diameters measuring over four inches, can plummet to earth at a whopping 100 miles per hour. Hail that large can certainly do a real number on your roof!
How To Spot Hail Damage on Your Roof
What does hail damage look like on a roof? That depends on the size and weight of the hail, as well as the speed at which it was traveling when it fell. If the hail was large, you might spot holes in the roof. But most hail is fairly small, so the damage can be harder to notice.
If you’re comfortable doing so, climb on your roof and look for these signs of damage:
- Granule loss on shingles: Your roof’s shingles have a protective coating made of granules that help ward off damage. Hail’s impact can chip away the granules, leaving your shingles smooth in places.
- Cracked or split shingles: If the hail was big enough, it may have caused your shingles to split or crack.
- Dents and impact marks: If you have a metal roof, hail damage is easy to spot. Look for circular dents on the roof’s surface.
- Soft spots or bruising: Hail can cause divots on your roof that feel soft or squishy to the touch.
- Roof flashing and gutter damage: In addition to your shingles, your gutters and roof flashing may be dented or cracked.
Does the thought of climbing on your roof make you nervous? You can infer roof damage by looking for hail damage to other parts of your property — no scaling a ladder required! Look for:
- Dents in your car, mailbox, garage door, and outdoor air conditioner unit
- Dings and scratches in your home’s siding and shutters
- Holes in window screens
Not All Damage Is Hail Damage
Just because your roof or gutters are damaged doesn’t necessarily mean that hail is the culprit. Several other things can mimic hail damage, such as your roof’s age.
If your roof is on the older side, it’s common to see worn, cracked, and even missing shingles. Asphalt shingle roofs generally last 30 years, but they can wear down sooner if not properly maintained. Metal and tile roofs last for about 50 and 100 years, respectively.
While fairly rare, manufacturing defects can also look like hail damage at first glance, and so can damage caused by poor installation.
Still wondering, “What does hail damage look like on a roof?” The best way to know if you’re dealing with hail damage is to schedule a roof inspection from Texas Roofers.
Factors That Can Affect Hail Damage to a Roof
Not every hailstorm that passes through Austin will wreck your roof. What’s the difference between a minor hailstorm and a major one that causes serious damage? All of these factors play a part in the severity of the damage and repairs:
- Shape of the hail: Hail is more likely to cause damage if it’s irregularly shaped with sharp edges. Perfectly spherical hail tends to bounce off objects without causing as much damage.
- Hail size: As you might expect, the bigger and heavier the hailstones, the worse the damage.
- Wind speed and direction: The wind’s direction and speed can cause hail to fall either faster or slower, which affects the force with which it hits your roof.
- Building materials: Hailstones can splinter wood shingles, shatter tile, and dent metal roofs.
- Roof age: The newer your roof is, the better it can resist impacts from hailstones.
Is Hail Damage to Your Roof an Emergency?
If hail has struck your Austin home, you might wonder whether you need to worry about emergency repairs. In most cases, hail damage isn’t an emergency. However, you do need to address it eventually. Hail damage can weaken your roof, making it more susceptible to further damage and moisture intrusion. This is why it’s smart to schedule a roof inspection after a hail storm.
Hail with a diameter of one inch or larger, on the other hand, can cause damage serious enough to require emergency repairs. If there are visible holes in your roof, contact Texas Roofers for repairs right away. In some cases, we may need to replace the entire roof.
Is Hail Common in Austin?
Now that you know the answer to “What does hail damage look like on a roof?” you might wonder whether hail is a common occurrence. Hail is surprisingly common in Austin, and this city and others nearby have been the site of record-breaking hail storms over the years.
For example, in September 2023, baseball- and softball-sized hail pelted properties throughout Travis and Williamson Counties. The storm caused an estimated $700 million in damages, making it one of the priciest weather events in Texas history.
In March 2024, hail storms brought destruction to cities from North to Central Texas, resulting in wrecked roofs, collapsed buildings, and multiple injuries. Johnson County reported a 6.25-inch hailstone (melon size), nearly large enough to beat the biggest-ever hailstone in the state, which measured 6.4 inches.
Stories like these make it clear that everything really is bigger in Texas, and that includes our havoc-wreaking hailstorms.
Will Your Insurance Cover a Roof Replacement Due to Hail Damage?
If your homeowner’s insurance policy includes hail damage coverage, then your insurer should provide help with paying for the cost of a roof replacement. However, there are two types of hail damage policies, and which one you have affects the payout significantly.
The first of these policies is called replacement cost value (RCV). An RCV policy provides you with a like-kind replacement of your roof, and the insurer agrees to foot the entire bill.
The second type is called actual cash value (ACV). This policy pays out based on your roof’s depreciated value. Your insurer will give you a payout based on the roof’s current value, and you’ll have to pay for the rest out of pocket.
How To File a Hail Damage Claim
When you suspect hail damage to your roof, it’s important to file an insurance claim promptly, even if you think the damage may only be cosmetic. Too many homeowners neglect to file a claim before the deadline, only to end up needing major repairs down the road. Don’t let this happen to you!
If you’ve never filed a hail damage claim before, you might wonder how to go about it. Here’s what to do to increase your odds of a fair payout:
- Call your insurance company to report the hail damage ASAP. Your insurer will schedule a time for an adjuster to inspect the roof. The adjuster can answer questions such as, “What does hail damage look like on a roof?” and “How much does my policy cover?”
- Take steps to prevent further damage to the roof and the rest of your home. Remove standing water; if your roof is leaking, contain the water with buckets.
- Take photos and video of the damage to your roof and elsewhere in your home. Don’t discard any damaged items until your insurance company gives the okay.
- Get a repair estimate from a trustworthy roofing contractor such as Texas Roofers. Having an estimate ready will help you negotiate with the adjuster. Avoid companies that say they’ll waive your deductible; this is illegal under state laws.
- If the adjuster offers an unfair payout, you’ll have to negotiate for more. If, after negotiating, the payout is still too low, you may need to call a lawyer for help.
We’re Your Trusted Partner for Hail Damage Repairs in Austin
Now that you know the answer to the question “What does hail damage look like on a roof?” do you need roofing repairs for your hail-damaged home? You can count on Texas Roofers to handle your roof repairs promptly and professionally.
To schedule hail and wind damage repairs, contact us at (877) 977-0277.
