Hail Damage in Houston: How to Protect Your Roof

You might not know it. But hail damage can do a number on your roof even if you have a strong one. If you don’t take care of it quickly, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in repair costs down the road. Hailstorms are pretty common in Houston and when chunks of ice start pelting your roof, they can crack your shingles and weaken the structure underneath. That’s why it’s a good idea to move quickly after a storm hits.

People sometimes fail to notice these signs and understand just how destructive hail damage can be. Hail can knock off the granules on your shingles and cause cracks and splits. It can dent your gutters, break the seals around your roof and cause hidden damage that you might not see. And if you’re not careful, you might not even see there’s a problem until water starts leaking into your home.

Hail damage is no joke – if you don’t get it under control, it can turn into a big disaster for your home. That’s why you should get your roof looked at after storms roll through.

Let’s get started. I’ll tell you how to find these hail damage signs and take care of them before they become a problem!

The Types Of Hail Damage

Some of the problems caused by hail are going to jump right out at you. But others like to hide until they turn into serious problems down the road. The worst hail damage is pretty obvious. You’ll probably see things like cracked shingles with holes in them or big dents in metal roofing. Busted skylights and ripped-up wood shakes are also dead giveaways that your roof just took a serious beating. You’re going to want to get those problems taken care of as soon as possible before the rain changes the holes into waterfalls inside your house.

But then there’s also what’s called latent damage. This type of damage is sneaky because it doesn’t always show up when you’re taking a quick look at your roof from the driveway. A few missing protective granules on your asphalt shingles might not seem like a big deal and small dents or bruises on your roofing can go unnoticed for months while they’re quietly interfering with the roof’s integrity.

Different types of roofing materials respond to hail in their own ways. Asphalt shingles tend to lose protective granules, which leaves the material underneath exposed to the harsh Texas sun. Metal roofing usually gets dented but doesn’t puncture. Wood shakes can split when they get hit and create open pathways for water to get into your home.

You could be thinking that those few missing granules are no big deal. But they actually serve an important purpose. They protect your roof from damaging UV rays and help water flow off your roof. When they’re gone, your shingles will age much faster than they should, so what starts out as a small problem can turn into an expensive repair over time.

Hail damage doesn’t always look dramatic either and sometimes appears more like a bruise on a fruit, which is a soft sign that damage lies beneath the surface. These weak points are especially vulnerable during the next big storm that rolls through Houston and a small dent can quickly turn into a big leak with heavy rainfall.

That’s why professional inspectors are in demand after a hailstorm. They know the soft signs to look for and will check everything from roof vents and gutters to flashing for dents that most homeowners might miss. With their trained eyes, they can catch problems before they turn into total disasters. Getting an inspection after hail hits your roof makes a big difference because insurance claims have deadlines and if you wait too long, you might have to pay for repairs yourself. Lots of Houston homeowners have learned this lesson the hard way after delaying an inspection, so acting quickly is the best way to save our roof and our wallet in the long run.

Prepare For The Storm

If you want to protect your roof from hail damage, there are a few easy steps you can take as a Houston homeowner. One of the best things you can do is install hail-resistant roofing materials. Shingles with a Class 4 hail rating can hold up much better in bad weather and perform better compared to the standard options available. Metal roofing is another good choice since it is very tough against hail and wind.

You also have to strengthen the vulnerable parts of your roof for all-around protection. Putting protective screens or grilles on your skylights can stop them from being damaged in hail storms, which can be expensive to fix and adding a hail protection film to your skylights gives an extra layer of defense against hail damage. Keeping up with regular maintenance is important for helping your roof last longer and resist hail damage – you should have a professional inspect your roof at least twice a year so they can find any weak places before a storm hits and make sure that you keep your gutters clean so water can drain and not cause damage that could weaken your roof’s structure.

Houston residents have found that spending a bit more on quality roofing materials is worth it in the long run. Even though premium materials cost more at first, they can sometimes add a few years to your roof’s lifespan and some homeowners have even reported discounts on their insurance premiums after installing hail-resistant roofing systems.

Your roof’s design can also affect how well it holds up against hail. Aerodynamic roof shapes can help cut back on the effects of wind during extreme storms and a steeper roof pitch helps with water runoff, stops water from pooling and adds support during hail storms to keep your roof strong. There are even insulation materials that can absorb the energy from hail and reduce damage to the surface of your roof.

Trimming overhanging tree branches is an easy way to avoid damage. During storms with high winds, branches can turn into dangerous projectiles or drop heavy debris onto your roof during or after a hailstorm. Hiring a professional to install our roof can help it perform better during extreme weather, as experienced contractors know the fastening techniques, how much overlap to use with materials and they can recommend choices for the climate challenges we face here in Houston.

How to Find Hail Damage

You can’t always tell if your roof was damaged after a hailstorm hits Houston. Don’t just wait around for leaks to start showing up. Instead you should go ahead and take a quick look at your roof as soon as you can. If you ignore those little problems for too long, they can turn into bad problems down the road. You don’t even have to climb up on your roof to start checking for damage.

Just stand on the ground and look for any obvious signs that something’s not right. Keep an eye out for shingles that are cracked or missing because they’ll look different from the rest of your roof. You might also find some dents or dark places where the hail hit hardest. Those spots can weaken your roof’s ability to keep out the rain and sun. While you’re at it, remember to check your gutters and downspouts too.

If you see things that look like dark sand piling up in there, that’s a red flag. Those sandy pieces are actually protective granules that keep your shingles safe from the sun’s harsh rays and weather. When those granules wash away, your roof is left wide open to damage. If you see any shingles that look shiny or bald in places, that’s a sign that the protective granules have been knocked off. It might not cause leaks.

But over time, those exposed areas will start to wear down a bit quicker. Every patch of missing granules takes a chunk out of your roof’s lifespan. You can usually find more damage on the metal parts of your roof – look for any little dings or dents in the metal. Even if you can’t see much damage to the shingles, those dents are a dead giveaway that the hail did a number on your roof. Hail damage doesn’t always stop at your roof.

Check your window screens, siding and any outdoor furniture. If you see dents there, it shows that your roof got hit just as hard – don’t brush them off as just cosmetic problems. Even if the damage seems small, it can let water sneak in under your shingles during heavy Houston downpours. This can cause wood rot and mold in your attic. By the time you see water stains on your ceiling, the damage has already started to spread.

If you want to be sure you’re not missing anything, get a professional roofer to check your roof. They know how to find problems that the untrained eye might not catch. They also look for sneaky signs like bruising or weakened self-seal strips between the shingles. They know how different sizes of hail can hurt different types of roofing materials. If the hail is bigger than three-quarters of an inch, it can do some serious damage to most roofs.

Find A Trusted Roof Contractor

So where do you start once you know you have roof damage? You can talk to your friends and neighbors and see if they have any roofers they swear by. The truth is the most reliable contractors in Houston are the ones with glowing reviews from people. You can also check out what people are saying online. But take those reviews with a grain of salt.

Look for patterns in the feedback instead of getting too caught up in one rave review or a scathing complaint. For these roof repairs in Houston, you want a contractor who knows their things. Our weather can be pretty intense, with wicked storms that can do a number on your roof. A local pro will likely be up to speed on the building codes. They also understand that hail damage is common here.

They’ll also know which materials will hold up in our climate so your repairs last longer. Before you sign on the dotted line, always double-check that your contractor is licensed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. And don’t be shy about asking to see their liability insurance and workers’ comp coverage. You don’t want to be on the hook if someone gets hurt while they’re working on your roof.

Watch out for “storm chasers” who blow into town after a big storm and give you deals that seem too good to pass up. They might take your money and run, leaving you with a half-finished roof and no way to get in touch with them. A legit Houston contractor will have a real office and a good reputation in the community – like us at Roof Republic! They should give you an estimate in writing and never try to pressure you into making a choice.

Interviewing possible contractors means you should trust your gut feelings. If something seems off or they dodge your questions, shop around. The right roofer will take the time to listen to your problems and explain the repair process in plain English. They help you weigh your options without pushing you to splurge on things you don’t need. Take the time to find a few estimates and compare them.

If a price seems suspiciously low, there’s probably a catch. Take a close look at the materials each contractor wants to use and how long they think the job will take. The best deal might not be the cheapest option. But it’ll get you quality work and materials that’ll hold up over time.

A Secure Home Starts with a Solid Roof

I’ve seen it happen time and time again – a small bit of roof damage from a hailstorm gets ignored. Then water seeps into the attic and can cause problems like ceiling stains, wood rot and mold in the walls. It’s pretty wild how those repair bills can add up when you let things slide!

Your roof is one of the biggest parts of your home because it keeps your family safe and comfortable. So with that in mind, it might make sense to pay for an easy repair now. I helped a neighbor who waited too long after a hailstorm – what could’ve been an easy fix turned into a total nightmare when they had to replace their entire living room ceiling. The comfort you get knowing your home is protected is worth having your roof looked at.

Homeowners don’t always know that insurance companies have strict deadlines for reporting damage. If you miss that window, you could be stuck paying for everything yourself. It only takes a few minutes to check for problems yourself or call in a professional for an inspection. This step could save you money in the long run.

Making roof care a regular part of your home maintenance schedule is like being prepared. And if you’re in the Greater Houston Area, Roof Republic (that’s us!) is here to help with all your residential roofing needs. We’re based right here in Texas, so we know a thing or two about protecting your investment and keeping your family safe.

Get in touch with us for a free inspection and let’s make sure your roof gets the professional attention it deserves. With something as real as your roof, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Reach out to a trusted roofing expert like Roof Republic.

We’re here to give you the advice you need. We can help with repair and installation services to keep your home in good shape. Give us a call today!