Texas Hail Storms Are More Numerous And They Are Creating More Damage To Residential And Commercial Roofs
“In general the houses in Kingwood have larger roofs, which provides plenty of opportunity for roof hail damage,” stated Adam Sabel, owner of Redemption Roofing in Kingwood, Texas. “And many of the area’s roofs were built with a steeper pitch, which provides a much better target for hail impact from strong storm winds. The last few years have been a nightmare for Kingwood and northern Houston because the hail is bigger and the winds stronger. And I am afraid it is only going to get worse.”
In the United States there were 6962 severe hail storms in 2023 as reported by the NOAA National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center. That was an increase from 4436 in 2022 or a 57% increase. According to NOAA Texas and Nebraska had the largest number of severe hail storms in the USA in 2023. Texas led all states with 1123 severe hail storm events. Texas averaged 836 severe hailstorms in the three years prior to 2023. These statistics are hail storms with hailstones at least one inch in diameter or larger. The Texas breakdown of 1123 severe hail storms is as follows:
- 399 hail storms with hailstones 1.00 – 1.24 inches in diameter
- 477 hail storms with hailstones 1.25 – 1.99 inches in diameter
- 247 hail storms with hailstones 2.00 or greater inches in diameter
When hail hits an asphalt shingle it bruises the matting and loosens the mineral granules, which are the UV protection on the shingle. As time goes by the shingles will begin to degrade and leaks will show up due to the loss of the granules. An asphalt shingle with bruising and missing granules offers much less protection against rain and storms and its shortened lifespan will likely lead to a roof leak.
Signs of Hail Damage
A thorough and free roof inspection will detect roof damage after a hail storm. A hail storm is often accompanied by strong winds in excess of 50 MPH. And a strong hail storm will create dents in neighborhood cars and tree damage with plenty of tree limbs and leaves on the ground. It is important to address any roof damage before it leads to greater problems and damage.
- Dents in the Metal Flashing, Roof Vents, or Gutters
- Excessive amounts of granules in the gutters or on the ground
- Cracks in asphalt shingles from impact
- Cracks in other types of shingles from impact
- Missing portions of shingles that expose the roof felt
In addition, the hailstorm’s direction or wind direction will affect some parts of the roof more than others. A roof inspection will determine the degree of damage and the most damaged areas.
A hailstorm that only lasts 15 minutes can cause significant damage to a home’s roof. Basically a hail storm will shorten the lifespan of a roof. Even minor damage can lead to roof leaks and other roof problems in a few years. Strong hailstorms often result in immediate damage and lesser damage will become obvious to the homeowner in a few years.
Factors That Determine the Extent Of Hail Damage
The most important factor to consider is the size of the hail. Smaller hail, such as pea-sized to marble-sized, is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter and may not cause visible damage. Larger hail can certainly cause significant damage to a roof. Any hail larger than one inch in diameter can injure pets and people. Not all hail is created equal, due to atmospheric conditions hail density can vary from storm to storm. Another important factor is wind speed. High wind speeds during a hail storm can accelerate the speed of the hail before impact with roof shingles. High wind speeds can multiply the severity of hail damage to a roof.
Ignoring Roof Repairs Puts Your House At Risk
Most hail storms create moderate roof damage that will become evident in a few months. Leaks will appear that will create additional damage such as rotting wood decks, roof rafters, and roof joists not to mention interior damage to walls and floors. Electrical issues and mold will follow. It is in the home owner’s best interest to request a free roof inspection because it takes the trained eye of an experienced roofer to notice the smaller damaged areas on a roof.
Home Insurance Considerations
Homeowners should request a free roof inspection after a hailstorm. An insurance claim is much easier to justify after a hailstorm rather than a year or more after the event. Some insurance companies require homeowners to file a hail damage claim within one year after the damage occurred – any later and the homeowner could be denied coverage.
A roofing contractor will usually “mark-off” a test area of the roof that measures 10 feet by 10 feet and count the number of hail strikes. A hail strike is a clearly identifiable indentation of the asphalt shingle, which is a clear sign of damage. Usually a home insurance company will approve an installation of a new roof if there are 10 or more hail strikes within the marked test area. However, every insurance company is different and it helps to have an experienced roofing contractor communicating with the insurance company.
Redemption Roofing serves the Texas market and offers a complete line of residential and commercial roofing services. Regular roof inspections, quality roofing materials, and timely roof repairs will extend the life of any roof.
