After a hail storm in Houston, stay off the roof, photograph hailstones and any fresh dents on gutters, vents and AC fins the same day, write down the storm date, and cover any active leak. Then get a photo-documented roof inspection before you decide whether to file a claim, because hail damage rarely shows from the driveway.
Hail nights in Harris and Montgomery counties tend to follow the same script. The noise stops, the street fills with neighbors looking up at their roofs, everything looks normal, and within a few days the door-knockers arrive. The homeowners who come out of that week in good shape are the ones who did a few simple things in the right order. This checklist is that order, written by a roofing crew that spends storm season documenting hail damage across north Houston.
Is it safe to check my roof right after a hail storm?
From the ground, yes. From a ladder, no. Wet shingles covered in hail pellets are slick, gutters can be loaded with ice, and a lightning cell can trail the hail core by several minutes. Before you step outside, look for downed lines or broken branches hanging over the driveway. Everything on this checklist can be done standing on the ground or from inside the attic.
If water is already dripping into the house, skip ahead: move belongings, put down a bucket and call for an emergency roof tarp. Stopping the water comes before any paperwork.
What should I photograph after a hail storm?
Photos taken the day of the storm carry more weight than photos taken weeks later, because they tie the damage to a date. The Texas Department of Insurance tells homeowners to take pictures and video of the damage before anything is thrown away or repaired. Use this list while the evidence is fresh:
| Photograph this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hailstones next to a coin or tape measure | Shows size; do it first, because ice melts in minutes in Houston heat |
| Dents in gutters, downspouts and roof vents | Soft metal records hail hits the same way your shingles did |
| AC condenser fins, mailbox, garage door, window screens | Helps show which direction the storm came from |
| Granules piled at downspout outlets | Heavy granule loss can signal bruised shingles |
| Ceiling stains, wet insulation, drips | Records interior damage before it spreads |
| Cars, fences, patio furniture | Supporting evidence of hail size and density |
Write down the date and approximate time. If you want an outside record of the event, NOAA keeps a searchable Storm Events Database, and the Storm Prediction Center posts daily hail reports.
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
The National Weather Service treats hail of one inch in diameter (quarter size) or larger as severe. That is a useful benchmark, not a rule for your roof. Smaller stones driven by strong wind can still crack brittle, older shingles, and a new roof may shrug off hail that would ruin a 15-year-old one. Hail density, wind angle, shingle age and the slope's exposure all matter. NOAA's hail basics page explains how stones grow and why sizes vary so much from one street to the next.
Can I tell if my roof has hail damage from the ground?
Usually not. Hail rarely punches holes. It bruises. A strike can fracture the shingle mat underneath the surface and knock off the granules that shield the asphalt from sunlight. From the yard the roof looks fine; up close, you find soft spots, dark circles of exposed asphalt and cracked tabs, often concentrated on the slopes that faced the storm.
What you can read from the ground is the soft metal. If your gutters, downspouts or turtle vents picked up fresh round dents, the roof took the same hits. That is the moment to book a look from someone who will actually walk and photograph every slope. Our storm damage inspections cover exactly that.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
TDI's advice is to report damage promptly, and your policy sets its own notice requirements, so read it or ask your agent what applies to you. There is also a practical reason to get the roof documented early: you want to know what is actually up there. Some hail nights leave serious damage; others leave a roof that is dented cosmetically and still sound. A documented inspection lets you make the filing decision with evidence rather than guesswork.
That decision is always yours. Storm Bolt Roofing is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. We photograph, measure and write a contractor scope; your insurer decides what your policy pays. If you do file, our guide on how a roof insurance claim works in Texas walks through what happens next.
How do I spot a storm chaser after a Houston hail storm?
Out-of-town crews follow hail maps. Some do honest work; many are gone before the first warranty call. Watch for these signs:
- An offer to cover your deductible. Texas law makes it illegal for a contractor to waive, rebate or absorb it (Insurance Code Chapter 707; see TDI's summary, Roofing and insurance: know the law).
- A promise to "handle" or negotiate your claim. Texas does not allow a roofer to act as a public adjuster on a property it is working on (Insurance Code §4102.163).
- A guaranteed new roof before any adjuster has seen it. Nobody can promise that.
- Pressure to sign on the driveway, especially paperwork you have not had time to read.
- No local address or verifiable liability insurance. Texas has no statewide roofing license, so ask for a certificate of insurance and call the carrier to confirm it.
What happens during a Storm Bolt hail inspection?
We fly the roof with a drone and walk the slopes that are safe to walk. Every slope gets photographed, including vents, flashing, ridge caps and soft metal. We mark and count hits, measure the roof, and write a plain finding: repair, replace, or leave it alone. If the damage does not justify a claim, we tell you that too. You keep every photo. See what inspection day looks like for the step-by-step.
Hail storm questions from Houston homeowners
How long after a hail storm can I still document roof damage?
Hail bruises and cracked shingles stay visible for a long time, so it is rarely too late to photograph them. Filing deadlines are a separate question set by your policy, which is why it pays to document early and check your policy's notice terms.
Will filing a hail claim raise my insurance premium?
That depends on your insurer and your policy, and a roofing contractor cannot answer it for you. Ask your agent directly before you file. The Texas Department of Insurance help line (800-252-3439) can also explain your rights.
Do I have to use the roofer my insurance company recommends?
You choose your contractor. Get written estimates, compare each one with the adjuster's report, as TDI suggests, and pick the company whose scope and warranty you understand.
Hail hit your street? Book a free, photo-documented roof inspection or call Storm Bolt Roofing at 832-860-0262. Hablamos español.
