Storm and Hail Damage Roof Repair in Houston

After hail or high wind, the first steps are to stop more water getting in, document what you can see from the ground and inside, and get a roofer to inspect the whole roof, not just the obvious spot. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) advises filing a claim as soon as you can if storm damage is covered, saving receipts for temporary repairs, and being available for the adjuster visit. You deal with your insurer directly; the roofer's job is to find and fix the damage.

What wind and hail actually do to a roof

Wind and hail damage look different, and a good inspection report treats them separately.

• Wind lifts shingles at their edges, breaks the adhesive seal strip, creases the shingle across the nail line, or tears tabs off entirely. It peels back ridge caps, bends drip edge, and loosens flashing at walls and chimneys. Damage tends to cluster on the side facing the storm and at edges and ridges.
• Hail bruises shingles. A hit can crack the mat underneath or knock granules off, leaving a dark spot that ages faster in the sun. Hail also dents gutters, downspouts, metal vents, AC fins and window screens, which is often easier to see from the ground than shingle damage.
• Falling limbs puncture decking and break rafters. If a tree is on the roof, keep everyone out of the rooms below and call a tree service and a roofer.

Around Houston, both threats are real. The National Hurricane Center lists the Atlantic hurricane season as June 1 to November 30, with the peak around September 10, and ordinary thunderstorms can bring hail and straight-line wind outside those months.

What to do in the first days

• Stay safe. Keep off the roof and away from downed lines. Do not climb a ladder in wind or rain to check damage.
• Prevent more damage. TDI suggests removing standing water and covering broken windows and holes to keep rain out. For holes in the roof, ask a contractor to install a temporary cover rather than climbing up yourself.
• Document it. Take dated photos and video from the yard and inside: ceiling stains, wet insulation, dented gutters, shingles in the yard. TDI also advises making a list of damage inside and outside, and keeping damaged items until your insurer says you can throw them away.
• Keep records. Save every receipt and keep a list of everyone you talk to at the insurance company, as TDI recommends.

Our after-the-storm guide covers these steps in more detail.

What a storm inspection should cover

A thorough inspection checks every slope, not just the side facing the street. Ask the contractor for labeled photos that show:

• shingles with creases, missing tabs, lifted edges or hail bruises, with the slope noted;
• ridge caps, hip caps and starter rows;
• flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights, and the pipe boots;
• drip edge, gutters, downspouts and metal vents;
• any low-slope section (TPO or modified bitumen) and its seams and edges;
• the attic underside, for daylight, wet decking or punctures.

Tell the inspector about anything that was wrong before the storm, like an old ceiling stain or a past repair. An honest report separates storm damage from wear, and that protects you if questions come up later. For the insurance side, our roof claim guide explains the general steps.

Texas laws worth knowing

Two state laws matter a lot after a storm:

• Contractors cannot pay or waive your deductible. Texas Business and Commerce Code §27.02 makes it an offense for a seller of goods or services paid with insurance proceeds to pay, waive, absorb, rebate or otherwise help you avoid your deductible without the insurer's consent. It is a Class B misdemeanor. The same section requires contracts of $1,000 or more that are expected to be paid from a property insurance claim to carry a printed notice about the deductible. TDI's own page says to avoid contractors who offer to waive your deductible.
• Contractors cannot act as your adjuster. Texas Insurance Code §4102.163 says a contractor may not act as a public adjuster or advertise to adjust claims on a property where it provides or may provide contracting work, even with a power of attorney. A roofer can show you and the adjuster what it found; it cannot negotiate your claim.

TDI also warns that out-of-town contractors may not legally ask for a down payment before they start, and advises never signing a contract with blank spaces or one that ties the price to "the value of insurance proceeds."

Repair or replace after hail

Scattered wind damage on a sound roof is often repairable: replace the missing shingles and ridge caps, reseal or replace flashing, and fix the drip edge. Hail that has bruised shingles across whole slopes is harder to patch, because new shingles rarely match faded old ones and bruised shingles keep failing. If you replace, ask about impact-rated shingles. GAF notes that products passing UL 2218 Class 3 or Class 4 impact tests may qualify for insurance discounts; check with your agent.

Common questions

How do I know if hail damaged my roof?

From the ground, look for dents in gutters, downspouts, metal vents and AC units, and for granules piling up at downspout outlets. A roofer can confirm bruising on the shingles themselves.

Can a roofer cover my insurance deductible?

No. Texas law (Business and Commerce Code §27.02) prohibits a contractor from paying, waiving or rebating your deductible without the insurer's consent. Walk away from anyone who offers.

Should I let a contractor talk to my insurance company for me?

A contractor may share its findings, but under Texas Insurance Code §4102.163 it may not act as your adjuster. Ask your insurer questions about your policy yourself.

Is it safe to wait to repair storm damage?

Not if water is getting in. Ask a contractor about temporary protection right away, and keep the receipts, which TDI says your policy may cover.

Wary of door-knockers after a storm? Our storm-chaser red flags page has questions to ask.

We connect Houston homeowners with independent local pros. You confirm the price and schedule directly with them.