Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties sit in one of the most active hail corridors in the country, and April through June is peak season. Most storm damage claims start on the roof, but the costly part is often what happens inside the house afterward. Here is how storm damage becomes water damage, what to look for, and how the repairs should be sequenced.
How hail and wind let water in
- Bruised or cracked shingles. Hail impacts fracture the shingle mat and knock off the granules that protect it from UV. The damage may not leak immediately, but it fails over the following months.
- Lifted or missing shingles. Wind lifts the shingle edge and breaks the seal. The next rain runs under it and onto the decking.
- Damaged flashing, vents and pipe boots. Metal flashing at walls and chimneys, turbine and box vents, and the rubber boots around plumbing vents are frequent leak points after hail.
- Overwhelmed gutters. Dented or clogged gutters send water behind the fascia and into the soffit.
What to check after a storm
From the ground, look for shingles in the yard, dented gutters and downspouts, and damaged window screens (a good indicator of hail size). Inside, check ceilings on the top floor for new stains, especially around light fixtures and vents, and look in the attic with a flashlight for wet insulation or daylight through the decking. Water that reaches an attic in a spring storm may not show on the ceiling until the insulation is saturated days later.
Stop the water first
If water is coming in, the immediate priority is a tarp or emergency dry-in over the damaged area. This is mitigation, and carriers expect it. Photograph the damage before it is covered. Then the interior needs attention: wet insulation must be removed, the ceiling and wall cavities dried, and drywall assessed. Left in place, wet blown-in insulation holds moisture against the drywall and framing for weeks.
Coordinate the roof and the interior
A storm loss commonly involves a roofing contractor for the exterior and a restoration contractor for the interior, and the claim covers both. When those are two separate companies, the interior drying sometimes waits on the roof, or the roof is replaced while the attic is still wet. Fire & Water Restoration Plus does both: emergency tarping and roof repair or replacement, and the interior water mitigation and repair, sequenced correctly and documented as one loss for your adjuster.
Insurance and storm claims
Wind and hail are commonly covered perils, though many Texas policies carry a separate, higher wind/hail deductible, and some pay actual cash value on older roofs. The carrier’s adjuster will inspect the roof, usually with a test square to count hail impacts, and scope the interior damage. Our roof inspection photographs and interior moisture documentation are provided to support that review. Coverage is the carrier’s decision.
Be cautious with storm chasers
After a large hail event, out-of-area roofers canvass neighborhoods. Before signing anything, check that the contractor has a local address, references and insurance, and be wary of offers to waive your deductible, which is unlawful in Texas.
If a spring storm has damaged your roof or you have water showing on a ceiling, call Fire & Water Restoration Plus at 972-455-8252. We can tarp the roof and begin drying the interior on the same visit.