When a hailstorm rolls through the DFW metroplex, the damage it leaves behind isn’t always obvious from the ground. But up on your roof, the story can be very different — cracked shingles, dented flashing, compromised seals around vents and skylights. Left unaddressed, even minor hail damage can lead to leaks, mold, and thousands of dollars in interior damage down the road.
North Texas is one of the most hail-prone regions in the country, averaging 5–7 significant hail events per year. If you’ve recently been through a storm, here’s what you need to know about identifying damage, protecting your home, and getting repairs covered.
How Hail Damages Your Roof
Hailstones don’t need to be golf-ball-sized to cause real damage. Even pea-sized hail, driven by strong winds, can degrade asphalt shingles over time. Here’s what hail does to the most common roofing materials in DFW:
- Asphalt shingles: Hail knocks loose the protective granules that shield the asphalt from UV rays. This creates dark, exposed spots that accelerate aging. Larger hail can crack or fracture shingles entirely.
- Metal roofing: Denting is the primary concern. While dents rarely cause leaks on standing-seam systems, they can compromise the integrity of exposed-fastener panels.
- Tile roofing: Clay and concrete tiles can crack or shatter under hail impact, especially if the tiles have aged and become more brittle.
- Flat/commercial roofing (TPO, EPDM): Hail can puncture single-ply membranes or loosen seams, leading to slow leaks that are hard to detect until water damage appears inside.
The tricky part is that much of this damage is invisible from ground level. That’s why a professional roof inspection after any significant storm is so important.
Signs of Hail Damage to Watch For
While you shouldn’t climb onto your roof yourself (it’s dangerous, especially after a storm), there are some ground-level clues that suggest your roof may have been damaged:
- Dented gutters or downspouts — if the hail was big enough to dent metal gutters, it almost certainly hit your shingles too
- Dings on your AC unit, mailbox, or car — any exposed metal surface with dents suggests roof impact
- Granules collecting in your gutters — a spike in granule runoff after a storm is a strong indicator of shingle damage
- Cracked or missing shingles visible from the ground — obvious but worth checking
- Dented or damaged window screens and siding — another sign of significant hail impact
- New leaks or water stains inside your home — if you see water marks on ceilings or walls after a storm, your roof’s waterproofing may be compromised
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait. Water damage compounds quickly, especially in the Texas heat where moisture trapped under damaged shingles creates ideal conditions for mold growth.
What to Do After a Hailstorm Hits Your DFW Home
Follow these steps to protect your home and set yourself up for a smooth repair process:
1. Document the Storm
Take photos of any visible damage — dented gutters, damaged siding, fallen debris. Note the date and time of the storm. This documentation will support your insurance claim later.
2. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
A trained inspector will get up on the roof and assess the full extent of the damage. At PROCO Roofing, we offer free, no-obligation roof inspections after every major storm in the DFW area. We’ll document everything with photos and provide a detailed report you can use for your insurance claim.
3. File Your Insurance Claim
Contact your homeowner’s insurance company to report the damage. Most Texas policies cover hail damage to roofs, and you typically have one to two years from the date of the storm to file a claim. Your roofing contractor can provide the documentation your insurer will need.
4. Meet With the Adjuster
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This is a critical step — having your roofing contractor present during the adjuster’s visit ensures nothing is overlooked. Our team at PROCO regularly meets with adjusters on behalf of our customers to make sure the full scope of damage is captured.
5. Get Your Roof Repaired or Replaced
Once your claim is approved, your contractor can begin the work. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need spot repairs or a full roof replacement. In either case, this is a good opportunity to upgrade to impact-resistant shingles that will better protect your home during the next storm.
Preventing Future Hail Damage
You can’t control the weather, but you can make your roof more resilient. Here’s what we recommend for DFW homeowners:
- Upgrade to Class 3 or Class 4 impact-resistant shingles — these are specifically tested to withstand hail impact and many insurance companies offer 10–28% premium discounts for homes with Class 4 shingles
- Keep trees trimmed — overhanging branches can cause additional damage during storms and drop debris that clogs gutters
- Schedule annual roof inspections — catching minor issues before storm season prevents small problems from becoming big ones
- Maintain your gutters — clean, properly functioning gutters help water drain efficiently, reducing the risk of leaks after storm damage
Get a Free Storm Damage Inspection in DFW
If a recent hailstorm has hit your area, don’t wait to find out if your roof is damaged. PROCO Roofing offers free, no-hassle storm damage inspections throughout Fort Worth, Dallas, Grapevine, Plano, McKinney, and the entire DFW metroplex. We’ll inspect your roof, document any damage, and help you navigate the insurance process from start to finish.
Schedule your free inspection or call us at 833-467-7626. People over profit — that’s how we do roofing.