After a hailstorm in Austin
- Hail damage is often invisible from the ground — bruised shingles and lost granules show up as leaks months later.
- Get a free inspection soon after the storm, while the damage is fresh and easy to date.
- We photograph and document every hit for your insurance claim and can meet the adjuster on your roof.
- Repairs are matched to your existing roof, or we explain honestly when replacement is the better path.
A hailstorm can be over in ten minutes and leave damage that takes a year to show itself. Austin Roofing provides Austin hail damage roof repair that starts with a careful, hands-on inspection — not a glance from the driveway — so you know exactly what the storm did to your roof before you decide what to do next.
We inspect, document and repair hail damage on asphalt and composition shingle, metal, stone-coated steel and low-slope roofs on homes and commercial buildings throughout Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Kyle and the rest of Central Texas.
Hail Season in Central Texas
Central Texas sits on the southern edge of the most active hail region in the country. Spring is the main hail season here — storms build along drylines and fronts from roughly March through June, with April and May usually the busiest months — but hail can fall any time thunderstorms are strong enough. The Austin metro’s rapid growth means more roofs sit in the path of each storm, and a single supercell tracking along I-35 or across the Hill Country can damage thousands of homes in an afternoon.
Because storms are so localized, your neighbor across the highway may see nothing while your street gets golf-ball hail. That is one reason we recommend an inspection after any storm that drops hail around one inch or larger (about quarter-size) — the size where shingle damage becomes common — or after any storm where you see dented gutters, cars or patio furniture.
Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof
Some hail damage is obvious. Most is not. Here is what we look for on an Austin hail damage roof repair inspection:
Bruised shingles
Soft spots that feel spongy when pressed, where the hail fractured the mat beneath the surface. These often look fine from a ladder.
Granule loss
Dark, round marks where hail knocked off the protective granules, exposing asphalt to the Texas sun. Piles of granules in gutters or at downspouts are a clue.
Cracked or split shingles
Large hail and older, brittle shingles produce clean cracks or broken corners that let water in directly.
Dented metal
Dimples in metal roofing, ridge vents, flashing, gutters and downspouts — useful evidence of hail size even when the roof surface is debated.
Damaged vents & boots
Cracked plastic vents, split pipe boots and dented turbines that can leak long before the shingles do.
Collateral clues
Damaged window screens, AC fins, fences and siding help confirm the storm’s path and intensity for your insurer.
Stay off the roof. Wet, granule-covered shingles are slippery and hail-damaged decking can be weak. Note the date and time of the storm, photograph hail on the ground next to a coin or ruler if it is safe, and leave the climbing to a roofer.
How Hail Damages Different Roof Types
| Roof type | Typical hail damage | Usual repair approach |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt | Bruising, cracking and granule loss at smaller hail sizes | Spot repairs for limited hits; replacement when damage is widespread |
| Architectural shingles | Bruising and granule loss; thicker mat resists some cracking | Matched shingle replacement or full slope replacement |
| Class 4 impact-resistant | More resistant to moderate hail, but very large hail can still cause damage | Inspection to confirm; repair with matching impact-rated shingles |
| Metal & stone-coated steel | Cosmetic dents; punctures or coating loss in severe storms | Panel replacement for functional damage; cosmetic coverage depends on your policy |
| Low-slope membrane | Punctures, fractured membrane and crushed insulation | Patching, section replacement or recovery depending on extent |
Want a quick read on what the hail you saw likely did? Use the hail damage checker below, then schedule a free inspection to confirm it.
Our Hail Damage Repair Process
Free storm inspection
We walk every slope, test-square sections, check vents, flashing, gutters and the attic where we can, and photograph each hit.
Documented damage report
You receive a photo report showing the damage, its location and our repair recommendation — something you can hand directly to your insurer.
Emergency protection if needed
If hail broke through, we tarp the roof the same day to prevent interior water damage while the claim is reviewed.
Adjuster meeting
If you file a claim, we can meet your insurance adjuster on the roof and point out the damage we documented.
Repair or replacement
Once you decide how to proceed, we repair with matched materials or replace the roof, then clean up with magnetic nail sweeps and send final photos.
Hail Damage and Your Insurance Claim
Hail is a sudden, covered peril under most Texas homeowners policies, but how much a claim pays depends on your policy type, deductible and the documented condition of your roof. Many Texas policies carry a percentage-based wind and hail deductible, and some pay actual cash value rather than replacement cost on older roofs. Read your policy’s declarations page so there are no surprises.
Austin Roofing’s role is to give you and your insurer accurate, photo-backed facts about the damage. We are not public adjusters and we do not negotiate your claim — and under Texas law, no contractor may waive or rebate your deductible. For a full walk-through of claims, see our roof insurance claim help page and our guide to insurance coverage for storm-damaged roofs.
Repair or Replace After Hail?
Scattered hits on a younger roof can often be repaired by replacing individual shingles. When damage is spread across most slopes, when the roof is older and brittle, or when matching shingles are no longer available, replacement usually makes more sense — and insurers often agree when the damage is well documented. Our roof replacement page explains what that looks like, and many homeowners use the opportunity to upgrade to impact-resistant shingles, which some insurers reward with premium discounts.
Why Prompt Hail Repair Matters
- Bruised shingles lose granules faster in Austin’s UV, turning hidden damage into leaks
- Your policy may require you to report damage within a set time and to prevent further damage
- Fresh damage is easier to tie to a specific storm date
- Small leaks caught early avoid wet decking, insulation and drywall
Austin Roofing offers free hail inspections and 24/7 emergency tarping. Call (956) 465-6045 after the next storm — or now, if you are not sure the last one left your roof alone.
Hail Damage Repair FAQs
What size hail damages a roof?
Damage to asphalt shingles becomes common at around one inch (quarter-size) hail, though older or brittle shingles can be damaged by smaller stones. Wind-driven hail and the age of your roof both matter as much as size.
How do I know if my roof has hail damage if I can’t see it?
Look for dented gutters, downspouts, AC fins and patio furniture, and granules collecting at downspouts. Then get a free inspection — bruised shingles usually can only be found by a roofer on the roof.
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Texas?
It depends on your policy, which sets deadlines for reporting damage. Check your policy documents or ask your agent, and report damage promptly — waiting makes it harder to tie damage to a specific storm.
Will filing a hail claim raise my insurance rates?
Hail claims are weather-related, but how they affect premiums varies by insurer and policy. Your insurance agent is the best person to answer that for your situation.
Can hail damage be repaired, or does the whole roof need replacing?
Both are possible. Limited damage on a younger roof is often repaired shingle by shingle. Widespread bruising or older, brittle shingles usually point to replacement. We show you photos and explain our recommendation.
Do you repair hail damage on metal roofs?
Yes. We repair and replace damaged metal and stone-coated steel panels, flashing and trim. Whether cosmetic dents are covered depends on your policy, so check for any cosmetic damage exclusion.