How Texas Storms Damage Homes: Hail, Wind, and Water

hail

Hail knocks off granules, bruises the shingle layer underneath, dents metal, and cracks tile. It speeds aging and sets the stage for leaks when the next rainstorm hits.
High winds lift shingles, tear flashings, and can even rip off roof sections. Tornadoes can shift the deck and framing or take off entire roofs.
Downpours force water through damaged shingles, wall joints, and backed up roof sections due to clogged gutters, soaking underlayment and decking. This can lead to leaks, rot, and mold in the underlying structure.

In our Storm Series, we’ve covered what Texans should do after a storm and temporary DIY repairs you can make to minimize damage before the professionals come in for the permanent fix. Now, let’s take a closer look at what’s causing the damage in the first place.

Hail: Sharp and Heavy Impacts

Due to Texas’ intense weather variations, the same roof that needs to withstand blistering heat also needs to withstand cold snaps and hailstorms. If you have an asphalt roof, that damage may appear as soft bruises, fine cracks, and bare or dark spots where granules are gone. That’s a big deal because granules protect the asphalt from sunlight and harsh weather. When hail knocks them off and bruises the mat, the roof ages faster and becomes more vulnerable to leaks later, even if one isn’t obvious today.

Metal and tile roofs are tougher and take damage differently. Dents in metal panels are mostly cosmetic, but seams, fasteners, coatings, and flashings still need a close look for punctures, chipped coating, or bent flashing that can leak. On clay or concrete tile, you may find cracked corners or fractured pieces. To learn more about materials that can stand up to harsh Texas storms, see our explainer on what roof is best for Texas weather.

Wind: Strong Lifting and Pulling Damage

Powerful gusts during windstorms or tornadoes can lift shingles, break seals, stress flashings, and sometimes even take off entire roofs. Typical signs of the former would include creased, peeled, or missing shingles. Flashing can take damage too, which is why inspections after wind damage often look around chimneys and walls, plumbing boots, vents, skylights, and valleys.

Tornadoes and severe straight-line winds create much deeper types of damage. You might see deck sections missing, collapsed gable ends, or walls that are out of square. A handful of torn pieces on a newer roof can be repaired, but widespread lifting and creasing across the roof, compromised flashings, or any sign of deck or framing movement is a much bigger issue.

Downpours: Leaking, Weakening, and Rotting

Texas downpours really put roofs to the test. Long, wind-driven rain will find weak spots fast and lead to deeper structural damage over time. Common entry points are damaged shingles, old or unsealed edges, areas where water can’t shed properly, and transition areas such as skylights, pipe boots, and chimneys. Inside, attic checks during rain may show active drips, water trails on the underside of the deck, wet insulation, or stained fasteners.

If you see a leak, call a professional and immediately set up a temporary DIY leak control system. Your roof’s ability to shed water is extremely important, so even if you have a strong roof, it needs to be backed up with wide and clear gutters with adequate downspout capacity. While isolated flashing or penetration leaks are often repairable, repeated leaks, widespread underlayment damage, or deck damage can justify a reroof to restore a watertight system. For more information, see our guide to weatherproofing your roof