What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail damage on asphalt shingles often looks like dark, round spots where the granules have been knocked off, with the shingle bruised or soft underneath. It does not always cause a leak right away, so a roof can be damaged even when nothing shows inside the home.
Hail damage does not always leak right away
An asphalt shingle has a mat, a coating of asphalt and a layer of mineral granules. The granules protect the asphalt from the sun. Hail can knock the granules off and crack the mat underneath without breaking through the shingle.
The roof may not leak right away, but the exposed asphalt wears out faster. Over time, those spots can fail and lead to leaks.
Check the metal first
Soft metal on and around the roof, such as vents, flashing, gutters and downspouts, dents easily in a hailstorm. These dents are one of the clearest signs that hail hit your home.
You can check your gutters and downspouts from the ground. Dented metal does not always mean the shingles are damaged, but it is a good reason to have the roof inspected.
Wind damage can be hard to see
Shingles are held down by an adhesive strip. Strong wind can lift a shingle, break that seal and lay it back down, so the roof looks normal from the ground.
A shingle with a broken seal is more likely to blow off in the next storm. A roofing professional can check for this during an inspection.
Hail does not fall evenly
Tarrant County sees hail most springs, and storms often hit in narrow bands. Two streets in the same neighborhood can see very different damage from the same storm.
Hail damage does not always mean you need a new roof. Depending on the damage, a repair may be all your roof needs.
Related questions
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
Hail around an inch in size is a common rule of thumb for asphalt shingles, although wind speed and the age of the roof also make a difference.
Can I check for hail damage myself?
Check the gutters, downspouts and any vents you can see from the ground. Stay off the roof, because walking on a damaged roof can make it worse and is a fall risk.
Is it illegal for a roofer to pay my deductible in Texas?
Yes. In Texas, a contractor cannot waive or pay your insurance deductible.
