After a hail storm rolls through Collin County, most homeowners ask the same question: did that actually hurt my roof, or was it just loud? The honest answer depends on three things. How big the hail was, how hard the wind was pushing it, and what shape your roof was in before the storm.
Here's how to think it through before you pick up the phone.
Hail size is the first clue
Hail gets described by comparison to everyday objects, and those comparisons are a useful starting point.
Pea to dime size (under about 3/4 inch). On a roof in decent condition, this size rarely does real damage to asphalt shingles. It can still knock granules loose on an older roof, and it can dent soft metals like gutters or AC fins.
Quarter size (about 1 inch). This is roughly where shingle damage starts showing up, especially on roofs more than ten years old. Expect bruising, granule loss, and in some cases cracked shingles.
Golf ball size (about 1 3/4 inches) and up. At this size, damage to most standard shingles is likely, not just possible. Hail this big can fracture the shingle mat, crack tiles, and dent metal roofing.
Size isn't the whole story, but if you saw quarter-size hail or bigger at your house, an inspection is worth scheduling.
Wind changes the math
Hail that falls straight down hits a roof differently than hail driven sideways by 50 mph gusts. Wind-driven hail hits harder and at an angle, which means smaller stones can do more damage than you'd expect. It also tends to concentrate damage on one or two slopes of the roof, usually the side facing the storm.
If the storm came with strong wind, lower your threshold. Hail you'd normally shrug off may have done more than it looks like from the driveway.
Your roof's age and material matter
A new roof and a 15-year-old roof can take the same storm very differently. As shingles age, they lose granules and get more brittle, so they bruise and crack more easily.
Material matters too. Standard three-tab shingles are the most vulnerable. Architectural shingles hold up better. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are built to take a hit, which is one reason some Texas insurers offer a discount for them. We covered that in our post on Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in Texas.
Check the ground first, not the roof
Please don't climb up on your roof after a storm. Wet shingles are slick, and damage you can't see from up close is easier for a trained eye to spot anyway. Instead, walk your property and look at the soft stuff that dents easily:
- Gutters and downspouts with dents or dings
- Shingle granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts
- Dents on AC unit fins or the top of the condenser
- Torn window screens or chipped paint on siding and trim
- Dents on mailboxes, outdoor light fixtures, or cars that were parked outside
If you're finding dents on metal around the house, there's a good chance the roof took hits too. For a step-by-step version of this, see our hail roof damage checklist for McKinney homeowners.
When an inspection makes sense
Schedule a roof inspection if any of these are true:
- Hail at your house was about quarter size or larger
- The storm brought strong wind along with the hail
- Your roof is more than 10 years old
- You found dents on gutters, AC units, or other metal around the house
- Neighbors on your street are getting roofs replaced
Hail damage doesn't always cause a leak right away. Bruised shingles can hold up for months and then fail later, after your window to file an insurance claim has gotten shorter. Many Texas policies set a time limit on hail claims, so check yours and don't wait for a water stain to make the call.
Be careful who you let on the roof
Big storms bring out-of-town crews knocking on doors within a day or two. Some are fine. Some aren't. Before you sign anything, read our guide to spotting storm-chaser roofers in Collin County.
If you do file a claim
An inspection report with photos gives you something concrete to bring to your insurance company. It also helps you understand what you'll actually owe. Texas roof policies often use a percentage deductible, which can be a bigger number than homeowners expect. Our post on roof deductibles in Texas breaks that down. And if your claim comes back denied or lower than the damage, here's what to do next.
The short version
Small hail on a newer roof usually isn't a problem. Quarter-size hail or bigger, strong wind, an older roof, or dents on the metal around your house are all good reasons to get a professional set of eyes on it. Blue Ribbon Roofing inspects roofs across McKinney and the surrounding North Texas cities. If a storm has you wondering, we're glad to take a look.
