Hail Damage on Roofs in New Braunfels & San Antonio

Hail season in Central Texas runs through spring and early summer, and the New Braunfels to San Antonio corridor sees its share of storms. A roof that looks fine from the driveway can still carry impact damage. Here's what buyers and homeowners should know.

Quick Answer: Hail damage on an asphalt shingle roof shows up as granule loss, soft "bruised" spots, broken seal strips, and dents in gutters, vents and flashing. The roof is evaluated as part of every True South home inspection. If you're filing an insurance claim or need repairs, photograph the damage, call your carrier, and get a licensed roofer's assessment.

Hail is part of life between New Braunfels and San Antonio. Spring and early summer storms can drop hail across Comal, Guadalupe and Bexar Counties in a single afternoon, and the damage isn't always obvious from the ground. Whether you're buying a home after hail season or you just rode out a storm in your own, it pays to know what to look for and who to call.

True South Home Inspection inspects homes across the New Braunfels, San Antonio, Canyon Lake, and Boerne corridor, and the roof is part of every inspection. Kevin Cearley (TREC #24687) is InterNACHI Certified and uses both ground-level evaluation and roof walks where access is safe, with photos of what he finds.

Why Central Texas Roofs Take So Much Hail

Warm, moist Gulf air meeting cold fronts from the north makes spring storms common along the I-35 corridor. When those storms produce hail, roofs take the first hit. Asphalt shingles, the most common roof covering in the area, are especially prone to impact damage that doesn't show from the street.

Damage from an older storm that was never addressed can still be on the roof when a home goes up for sale. That's one reason a careful look at the roof matters when you're buying.

What Hail Damage Actually Looks Like

Most homeowners can't tell hail damage from normal wear. Asphalt shingle damage is subtle until you've trained your eye for it. Four signs come up again and again:

Granule Loss

Hail strikes knock granules off the surface of asphalt shingles. The exposed asphalt shows up as a dark, smooth circle. Concentrated granule loss along gutter lines and in valleys is a strong indicator.

Bruising and Soft Spots

A hailstone can fracture the mat under the surface without cracking the shingle. To the eye, the shingle looks fine. To the hand, it's soft, with a "bruise" you can feel by pressing. Bruising shortens the shingle's useful life.

Broken Seal Strips

Hail can pop the factory seal between shingle courses. Once the seal is broken, wind lift and water intrusion are right behind it. Look for shingles that lift easily or that are visibly displaced from the course below.

Damage to Soft Metals and Accessories

Soft metals tell the truth. Aluminum gutters, downspouts, vents, and flashing show hail dents that are easy to see and photograph. Dents on soft metals are often the first clue that the roof deserves a closer look.

Warning Signs Inside the House

Hail damage doesn't always stay on the roof. After a storm, check for:

Water stains on ceilings or around light fixtures
Damp or stained decking, rafters or insulation in the attic
Granules collecting at downspout outlets
Dented window screens, siding or HVAC fins on the outside unit

How the Roof Is Covered in a True South Home Inspection

Every True South home inspection follows the TREC Standards of Practice, which include roof coverings, flashing, penetrations, gutters and downspouts, and the roof structure and attic. In practice, that means:

Ground-level photos of all four elevations
An on-roof walk where slope and condition allow safe access (evaluated from the ground otherwise)
A look for the damage signs above
Vent boots, pipe collars, kickout flashing, and ridge caps
Gutters, downspouts, and exterior soft metals
The attic where accessible, to check for water staining
Thermal imaging, included at no extra cost, to help spot concealed moisture
A photo-rich digital report, typically within 24 hours

We don't write claims, we don't negotiate with insurers, and we're not a contractor trying to sell you a roof. We document what we see.

If you already own the home, a maintenance inspection covers the roof along with the rest of the house.

Who to Call for Repairs and Insurance Claims

A home inspection tells you the condition of the roof on the day of the inspection. For a storm claim or repairs, bring in the right people:

Photograph what you can see from the ground, including dented gutters and vents, as soon as it's safe after the storm.
Call your insurance carrier promptly. Many policies set deadlines for reporting storm damage, so check yours.
Get a written assessment and estimate from a licensed roofer, and more than one if you can.
Let the adjuster review the documentation before you authorize repairs.

If you're buying, share the inspection findings with your agent and ask the seller for any past roof claims, repair invoices, or replacement dates.

Service Area

We inspect homes across:

New Braunfels and Comal County
San Antonio (Stone Oak, Alamo Ranch, Cibolo Canyons, North Central)
Schertz, Selma, Cibolo, Universal City
Boerne, Bulverde, Garden Ridge, Fair Oaks Ranch
Canyon Lake and Spring Branch
Seguin and New Berlin
Wimberley, Kyle, Buda, San Marcos

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the roof part of a True South home inspection? Yes. Every full home inspection includes the roof. Use the online quote tool for an exact price.

How soon after a hailstorm should I deal with roof damage? Quickly. Photograph the damage, call your insurance carrier, and get a licensed roofer out while the storm is recent. Documentation made right after the storm is stronger than documentation months later.

Will you walk on my roof? We walk roofs whenever slope and condition allow. Steep, slate, tile, or weather-compromised roofs are inspected from the ground.

Can a home inspector file an insurance claim for me? No. Texas home inspectors don't write or negotiate insurance claims. Your roofer or a public adjuster can help you document and support a claim.

My roof looks fine from the driveway. Could it still have hail damage? Yes. Hail damage is often hard to see from the ground. Dented gutters, vents, or downspouts are a good clue that the roof needs a closer look.

What if my insurance denies the claim? Ask your carrier about a re-inspection, or talk to a public adjuster. Detailed photos and a roofer's written assessment support both.

Do you inspect homes in San Antonio? Yes. We work across greater San Antonio and New Braunfels, including Schertz, Boerne, and the wider Hill Country. See our San Antonio service area page.

Schedule Your Home Inspection

Buying after hail season? The roof is part of every True South home inspection, and a maintenance inspection covers it on a home you already own. Call Kevin Cearley at 737-414-2364, email tshi@truesouthinspect.com, or book online. Photo-documented reports inside 24 hours. Serving New Braunfels, San Antonio, Boerne, Canyon Lake, and the Texas Hill Country.