We’re Austin Roofing Company & Water Damage, known as WDR. We’ve been inspecting Austin-area roofs since 2012, drawing on 25+ years of combined roofing experience across our team. GAF Master Elite® certified (top 2% of GAF contractors nationwide), BBB A+ accredited, 1,510+ five-star Google reviews, W-2 employee crews, fully insured. We operate from 9711 Beck Cir in Austin.
Here’s what this page covers: when a hail damage inspection makes sense (and when to skip it), the step-by-step inspection methodology we use, how it differs from a general roof inspection, how insurance adjusters conduct their own inspection and why it matters that you have your own report, hail size thresholds that justify inspection, the typical timeline and cost, and what the written report should contain to be useful for insurance filing. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether to call, what you’ll get, and how to use the results.
After a confirmed storm event
If a hail-producing storm hit your location and local weather reports confirmed hail of 1 inch or larger, schedule an inspection even if you don’t see obvious ground-level damage. Many hail impacts are invisible from the ground and only show up during rooftop inspection. The 2-week post-storm window is when damage is freshest and claim documentation strongest.
When ground-level signs are present
Dented gutters, damaged downspouts, granule accumulation at downspout outlets, dented metal flashing, damaged AC condenser units; any of these ground-level signs justify an inspection even if the storm event was weeks ago. Collateral damage usually means roof damage.
When interior symptoms appear
New ceiling stains, attic daylight showing where it shouldn’t, musty smell in rooms directly below the roof, visible water drips during subsequent rains- these indicate roof penetration that may have been caused by hail damage weeks or months earlier. An inspection identifies the source so repairs can happen before interior damage compounds.
Before an insurance claim
A professional damage assessment is valuable BEFORE the adjuster visit and can lead to better claim outcomes. You know what to expect, can advocate for appropriate scope, and have documentation to back up any dispute. This is the single highest-leverage reason to get an inspection.
When to skip
If the storm event was small (hail under 1 inch) and no ground-level or interior symptoms are present, inspection may not add value. New roofs with Class 4 impact-rated shingles can often skip inspection after small events. Routine quarterly checkups are different from damage inspections; one is maintenance, the other is diagnostic.
How Does the Inspection Work?
A proper hail damage inspection’ll take 45 to 90 minutes depending on roof size and complexity. Here’s the typical methodology.
Pre-inspection intake
The inspector’ll ask about the storm event (date, time, hail size, duration), any symptoms you’ve noticed (interior leaks, visible damage), roof age and material, prior insurance claims, and whether you’ve already filed or are planning to file. This context shapes what the inspector looks for and documents.
Exterior walk-around
Before climbing, the inspector’ll walk the perimeter to document ground-level signs: gutter condition, downspout damage, visible roof debris, exterior wall damage, outdoor equipment status (AC condensers, satellite dishes). This becomes the collateral damage portion of the written report, which carriers weigh heavily.
Roof-top assessment with test squares
Using the industry-standard methodology adjusters’ll follow, the inspector picks 10 ft × 10 ft test squares on each roof slope exposed to the storm direction. Within each test square, the inspector counts and marks hail impacts, measures impact size, photographs patterns, and notes whether damage appears fresh or weathered. This is the core of the inspection.
Flashing, penetrations, and components
Beyond the shingle field, the inspector’ll check all roof penetrations (plumbing boots, HVAC vents, chimney flashing, skylights), ridge caps, hip caps, and valley conditions. Hail often damages these components more severely than the shingle field, and leaks typically start here.
Attic inspection (when accessible)
If attic access is available, the inspector checks the underside of the decking for visible damage, moisture staining, ventilation function, and insulation condition. This catches damage that didn’t show up on the surface.
Written report delivery
Within 48 hours of the inspection, the inspector delivers a written report with photo documentation of all findings, damage severity by slope and section, repair-vs-replacement recommendations, an estimated scope for insurance submission, and clear next steps. You keep this report regardless of whether you proceed with the inspecting roofer.
What Hail Sizes Justify an Inspection?
Hail damage severity scales with size, wind speed, and roof age. Here’s the threshold guidance.
Under 1 inch (dime to nickel)
Rarely causes damage on roofs under 10 years old. Older roofs’ll sometimes show cosmetic damage but usually not functional damage. Skip the inspection unless you see ground-level signs or interior symptoms.
1 to 1.5 inches (quarter to half dollar)
The threshold where real damage becomes likely. Older or lower-quality shingles will show meaningful damage; newer high-quality shingles may escape unscathed. Inspect if your roof is over 10 years old or you’ve standard 3-tab shingles.
1.5 to 2.5 inches (ping pong to tennis ball)
Serious damage zone. Nearly every residential roof, regardless of age, will show damage. Inspection is strongly recommended. Insurance claims at this hail size’re routinely approved with proper documentation.
Over 2.5 inches (baseball and larger)
Catastrophic. Full roof replacement often warranted. Inspection becomes documentation for a near-certain claim rather than a question of whether damage occurred. Emergency response may be needed if active leaks have started.
How Insurance Adjusters Measure Hail Damage
Knowing what adjusters look for helps you prepare proper documentation and understand their findings. Our repair cost page covers the full cost + insurance workflow in detail.
The test square methodology
Adjusters use the same 10 ft × 10 ft test square method a good roofer uses. They mark test squares on multiple slopes, count impact hits per square, measure impact diameter, and photograph patterns. The threshold for ‘full slope replacement ‘ will vary by carrier, but typically 8 to 10 hits per 100 square feet triggers slope-level work; below that triggers spot repair.
What counts as hail damage for coverage
Adjusters look for: fresh impact marks (not weathered), round damage patterns consistent with hail, consistent damage distribution across slopes exposed to the storm, mat fracture under granules (not just granule loss), and corroborating collateral damage on gutters, vents, and ground items. Damage that doesn’t match these criteria may be classified as wear, prior damage, or mechanical damage.
The scope negotiation
Adjusters’ll sometimes propose a smaller scope than warranted, spot repair when slope replacement is appropriate, or a minimum scope when an expanded scope would better match the actual damage. Having your own inspection report and your roofer present on-site during the adjuster inspection usually produces better scope outcomes.
When adjuster findings differ from your inspection
Disagreements between your inspector’s findings and the adjuster’s are common. you’ve the right to request re-inspection, provide additional documentation, or escalate within the carrier’s claims process. The written inspection report is your evidence base for any dispute.
How Long Does an Inspection Take?
Timeline varies by roof size, pitch, access, and complexity.
On-site time
Standard residential inspection: 45 to 90 minutes on-site. Simple single-story homes with easy roof access run shorter; complex multi-level or steep roofs run longer. Larger properties, commercial buildings, or multi-building inspections can take several hours.
Report delivery
Written report with photo documentation typically within 48 hours of the on-site inspection. Rush requests can produce same-day reports for active insurance claim deadlines.
From call to inspection
Standard scheduling: 24 to 72 hours from your call. Post-major-storm windows can stretch longer when demand spikes. Emergency inspections for active leaks happen the same day.
What Does an Inspection Cost?
Most reputable Austin roofing contractors, ourselves included, offer free hail damage inspections after confirmed storm events. The reasoning is straightforward: inspections generate repair work when damage is found, so charging for the inspection creates friction that doesn’t serve either party. For emergency response, our emergency roof repair page explains dispatch and response.
What to watch for: inspectors who insist on upfront fees before examining the roof, inspectors who refuse to provide a written report unless you commit to repair work, inspectors who pressure immediate decisions. These are red flags regardless of the headline inspection price. A legitimate inspection results in a written report you keep whether you proceed or not.
Why Hire a Storm Specialist vs General Roofer?
Any professional roofer can inspect a roof, but storm-specialist roofers bring methodology, documentation, and insurance claim expertise that general roofers often don’t match. Our storm damage service covers broader storm response beyond hail; the repair services team handles ongoing repair work after inspection.
Storm specialists do adjuster-standard documentation. Reports are formatted for insurance submission, not just internal use. Impact counts match adjuster methodology. Photo documentation covers what adjusters need to see.
Schedule a Hail Damage Inspection
If this guide’s helped you identify likely hail damage on your roof, the next step is scheduling. Call (512) 820-6505 or request through our form. Free, no-obligation inspections with written reports within 48 hours. Same-day dispatch available for active damage; scheduled inspections within 24 to 72 hours.
If you decide not to proceed with us, you keep the written report to use however serves you, comparing other contractors, filing your own insurance claim, or documenting the roof condition for your records.