What To Do Immediately After a Houston Hail Storm

Houston averages 6–8 significant hail events per year, with Greater Houston ranking among the most hail-prone metros in the United States. When a major storm passes, the next 48 hours are critical — for documenting damage, protecting your home, and positioning your insurance claim correctly.

Step 1: Don't Go on the Roof

A wet roof after a hail storm is a slip hazard. Wait until the roof is completely dry before anyone goes near the edge, and even then, leave the inspection to a professional. You can assess a tremendous amount from the ground with a pair of binoculars.

Step 2: Look for Ground-Level Indicators First

Before calling anyone, do a ground-level walk of your property. These are your first indicators of hail size and impact energy:

• Gutters — dented, dimpled, or dented fins mean hail was large enough to damage roofing
• AC condenser unit — dings and dents on the fins are a strong indicator of roof damage
• Vehicles, deck furniture, wood fences, window screens — all are sensitive hail impact indicators
• Ground around downspouts — an unusual amount of granules after rain indicates shingle damage
• Satellite dish or metal vents — soft metals show hail spatter patterns clearly

Step 3: Document Everything Before Touching Anything

Take timestamped photos and video of all visible damage — gutters, AC unit, any visible shingle areas from ground level, vehicles if damaged. This documentation establishes the cause and date. Do not make repairs, clean up debris, or disturb anything before documentation is complete.

The time stamp on your photos is important for insurance purposes. It establishes that the damage occurred on the storm date, not from a prior event.

Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company Within 48 Hours

Texas has specific deadlines for storm damage claims — and the clock starts on the date of loss, not the date you discover damage. Call your insurance company to file notice of loss as soon as possible. You don't need a full estimate yet. Just get your claim number and establish the date.

Step 5: Get a Contractor Inspection Before the Adjuster Visits

This is the step most homeowners skip — and later regret. Schedule a professional roofing inspection before your insurance adjuster comes out. Your contractor documents damage from their professional perspective: bruised shingles, compromised flashing, damaged ridge caps, hail spatter patterns on soft metals. These findings become your advocate when the adjuster visits.

Having your roofing contractor present during the adjuster's site visit is even better. They speak the same technical language, know what to point to, and can dispute scope items on the spot rather than through a lengthy supplementing process after the fact.

Step 6: Watch Out for Storm Chasers

After every major Houston hail event, out-of-state roofing crews descend on the area. These storm chasers typically offer unusually low prices, use off-brand materials that don't hold up in Houston's climate, and operate without local accountability. They may be gone before warranty issues appear — often within a year.

Work with a local company that has a real address, verifiable Google reviews, and will be here in 5 years when you need warranty service. Ask for proof of insurance before any work begins.