Hail Damage Roof Inspection & Repair
Hail damages a shingle by fracturing the mat beneath the surface and knocking granules loose, exposing the asphalt to UV. The roof does not leak the next day. It ages years in an afternoon, and the failure shows up seasons later.
Hail size and what it typically does
| Hail size | Common effect on an asphalt roof |
|---|---|
| Under 1 inch (pea to dime) | Usually cosmetic; functional damage uncommon on a sound roof |
| 1 to 1.25 inch (quarter) | Functional damage possible, especially on older or brittle shingles |
| 1.5 to 1.75 inch (walnut to golf ball) | Functional damage likely; typically claimable |
| 2 inch and larger (egg to baseball) | Widespread damage, including to soft metals, vents and solar |
Wind direction matters as much as size. Wind-driven one-inch hail striking a slope at an angle can do more damage than larger hail falling straight down on a roof it hits flat.
Functional vs. cosmetic damage
Functional damage shortens the roof's life: a bruised mat, exposed substrate, fractured fiberglass. Cosmetic damage affects appearance only, such as a dent in a metal vent cap. The distinction matters because a growing number of Texas policies contain cosmetic damage exclusions, particularly on metal roofs. Knowing which category your damage falls into before you file saves a lot of frustration.
What happens during our inspection
-
Ground and collateral survey
Gutters, downspouts, screens, AC condenser fins, fence caps, garage doors and any painted soft metal.
-
Roof survey
Test squares on each slope, photographed and marked, so damage density can be assessed per slope rather than by impression.
-
Penetrations and accessories
Vents, pipe boots, ridge caps, skylights and flashing, which frequently show damage before the field does.
-
Solar array if present
Glass, frames, racking, conduit, plus a monitoring output review.
-
Attic check
Decking condition, existing leaks and ventilation, since these affect both the repair scope and the claim.
-
Written findings
Photo report delivered to you with a plain-language recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
- What size hail damages a roof?
- Functional damage generally begins around one inch, though wind-driven smaller hail and older, brittle shingles lower that threshold. Hail of 1.5 inches or more usually produces claimable damage across multiple slopes.
- How long after a hailstorm can damage show up?
- The damage happens immediately; the symptoms may not. Bruised shingles often do not leak for a year or more, which is why post-storm inspections matter even when nothing is dripping.
- Can I see hail damage from the ground?
- Rarely on the shingles themselves. What you can see from the ground is the collateral: dents on gutters, downspouts, vent caps and AC fins. If those are dented, the roof was hit too.
- Does hail damage always mean a full roof replacement?
- No. Isolated damage on one slope can sometimes be repaired. Widespread bruising across multiple slopes usually means replacement, because a patched roof with a compromised mat will keep failing.
Keep reading
Get an honest hail assessment
Free inspection, photo documentation, and a straight answer.
Or call (972) 999-8388