Hail has hit your neighborhood, but your roof looks fine from the driveway. It may be fine. It may also have damage you cannot see from there. A close inspection can help you find out.
Hail affects each roof in a different way. The roof’s material and condition matter, along with the hail’s size, hardness and angle. A coin-sized dent in a gutter does not prove you need a new roof.
What hail can do to a roof
Hail can crack a shingle, loosen its surface granules or damage the mat beneath them. It may dent metal or crack a tile. Some marks affect how a roof looks. Others affect how well it sheds water.
Ask a roofer to show you the difference in the inspection photos. GAF’s storm-damaged shingle guidance explains why damage to the shingle surface can matter.
What you can check from the ground
Wait until conditions are safe. Look for fresh dents in gutters, broken shingles in the yard and damage to roof edges. Note new water stains or drips inside.
Take photos from safe spots. Leave the ladder and roof inspection to a trained crew. Dents on a car or air conditioner can show that hail fell, but they do not prove the same damage exists on the roof.
Hail size does not decide the whole job
There is no universal rule that a certain hail size means a roof needs replacement. Storm reports can add context. They cannot show the condition of each shingle on your home.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety studies hail impacts . Its work shows why the material and the impact both matter. Have the roof checked instead of relying on a size chart.
Get help with leaks and report the damage
Keep away from wet electrical fixtures and sagging ceilings. Call for urgent help if the home is unsafe. Ask a roofer about temporary protection when it is safe for a crew to work.
Contact your insurer promptly and ask about your policy’s reporting rules. You do not have to wait for a full roof report to make required notice. Keep receipts and photos of temporary work.
Does insurance cover hail damage?
Coverage depends on your policy and the loss. Ask about wind and hail coverage, the deductible and any roof-specific limits. Some homes need separate windstorm coverage.
The insurer decides what it will pay. A roofer’s job is to describe the damage and needed work. Read our roof claim guide for questions to ask and records to keep.
Can the roof be repaired?
A small damaged area may be repairable if the surrounding roof is sound. More widespread damage may call for more work. Product availability and the condition of nearby shingles also affect the choice.
Ask for a written reason for the proposed repair or replacement. Age alone, or a fixed percent of damaged roof area, is not enough to make that choice for every home.
Arrange a hail inspection
Cox Brothers Roofing checks roofs in Cuero, Victoria, Goliad and nearby towns. We can show you our findings and explain the work we recommend. Request a free inspection or call (361) 277-0014.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size hail damages a roof?
It depends on more than size. The hail’s hardness and angle, plus the roof’s material and condition, affect the damage. An inspection is more useful than a universal size cutoff.
Do gutter dents mean I need a new roof?
No. They are a reason to check for other damage. They do not prove the roof needs replacement or that insurance will pay for it.
Can I check the roof myself?
Look from safe places on the ground and note any indoor leaks. Do not climb a damaged roof. A trained roofer can check areas you cannot see from below.
