We’re Austin Roofing Company & Water Damage, known as WDR. We’ve been responding to hail damage across the Austin metro since 2012, drawing on 25+ years of combined roofing experience across the team. We hold GAF Master Elite® certification (top 2% of GAF contractors nationwide), BBB A+ accreditation, and 1,510+ five-star Google reviews, the largest count of any Austin roofing contractor. Our crews are W-2 employees, not day-labor subcontractors, and we’re fully insured with general liability and workers’ comp. We operate from 9711 Beck Cir in Austin.
This page covers why hail damage response time matters, how to recognize the specific signs of hail damage on your roof (from the ground and from inspection), how hail affects different roofing materials, our repair process from inspection through insurance settlement to permanent restoration, how we handle insurance claims differently than roofers who don’t specialize in storm work, our response time expectations for emergency vs. scheduled situations, what sets our team apart on hail-specific work, and where we serve in the greater Austin metro.
Weakened shingles fail progressively
Hail impact fractures the mat beneath the granule surface on asphalt shingles. Immediately after the storm, the shingle looks mostly intact; you might not see anything from ground level. Over the following weeks and months, the weakened area loses granules faster than the surrounding shingle, exposing the underlying asphalt to UV degradation. What started as a small bruise becomes a leak point at the next hard rain, sometimes 3 to 6 months later.
Insurance claim windows are limited
Texas gives you one year from the date of loss to file a hail damage insurance claim under most policies. Some policies have shorter windows (as tight as 180 days). If you wait until the leak appears to inspect, you may already be past your claim window. Post-storm inspection creates documentation while the claim window is still open.
Roofers get overwhelmed after major events
After a widespread hail event, Austin roofing capacity gets stretched thin. Homeowners who inspect and schedule work in the first weeks after a storm get earlier repair dates, so it’s worth acting fast. Homeowners who wait until leaks appear can face 4- to 12-week scheduling delays because every reputable roofer is booked out.
Cumulative damage from multiple events
Austin routinely sees multiple hail events per year. A roof that took moderate damage from a spring storm and then more damage from a fall storm has cumulative wear that a single-event inspection might miss. Regular post-event documentation builds a record of what happened, what was damaged, and when, which supports future claims.
Common Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof
Some hail damage is obvious from ground level. Most requires rooftop inspection to identify properly. Here are the signs we look for.
From ground level
Dented or bruised gutters and downspouts, dents on metal flashings and vent caps, damaged AC units on the ground or roof (a dented AC condenser confirms hail was severe enough to damage the roof), split or torn tree branches from the same storm event, granule buildup in gutters or on the ground beneath downspouts (a normal amount is fine; concentrated recent accumulation signals shingle degradation), damaged window screens or exterior fixtures.
From rooftop inspection
Impact bruises on asphalt shingles, round dark spots where the granule surface has been fractured, typically 1/2 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Damaged tile edges or cracks on tile roofs. Cracked or torn ridge caps. Damaged flashing at chimneys, walls, and penetrations. Torn or missing shingles from the wind that accompanied the hail. Dents on metal roofing panels or standing-seam sections.
Signs that mean call immediately
Water actively coming through your ceiling during or after rain. Visible daylight through the roof from inside the attic. Missing sections of shingles or tiles. Structural damage from wind or tree impact accompanying the hail. If any of these apply, treat it as an emergency; call (512) 820-6505 for same-day dispatch.
Delayed-appearance signs
Signs that show up weeks or months after the storm event: brown ceiling stains that appear during subsequent rain, granules concentrating in gutters after each rain event, small leaks in areas that were fine before the storm, unusual attic humidity. These delayed signs often trace back to the hail event even when the storm was long enough ago that you forgot to associate them.
How Hail Damage Affects Different Roof Materials
Different roofing materials show hail damage differently. Knowing your roof type helps you interpret what the inspection finds.
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in Austin and the most visibly hail-damaged material. Impact creates distinctive round bruises where the mat fractures beneath the granules. Class 4 impact-rated shingles resist hail damage significantly better than standard architectural or 3-tab shingles. Older asphalt roofs (over 15 years) show damage more easily and repair less cleanly because matching material is harder to source.
Concrete and clay tile handle hail well because of their density, but large hail can crack or chip individual tiles. High-grade concrete tiles resist better than budget concrete tiles. Broken tiles need individual replacement, which requires matching product and careful handling to avoid damaging surrounding tiles.
Metal roofing (steel, aluminum, standing seam) dents from hail impact but rarely fails structurally. Dents are often cosmetic; the roof remains weathertight even when visibly damaged. Insurance treatment varies for metal because the functional vs. cosmetic distinction matters more than for other materials. Some policies specifically exclude cosmetic-only metal damage.
Synthetic composite roofing (recycled rubber, engineered slate lookalikes) generally resists hail well and shows less visible damage than natural materials. These roofs age gracefully under hail exposure but should still be inspected after significant events to confirm no functional damage.
Flat roofs and TPO/PVC membranes handle hail differently than pitched roofs. Impact on a flat membrane can create punctures or membrane damage that leads to leaks at the affected area. Inspection focuses on locating any impact points where the membrane has been compromised.
Our Hail Damage Response Process
Every hail damage project follows the same underlying process, scaled to damage severity and insurance involvement. If you need immediate response, our immediate roof help line handles same-day dispatch for active damage.
Step 1: Free on-site inspection
We’ll visit your property, walk the roof (weather permitting), document damage with close-range photos, and inspect from inside the attic when leaks are suspected. Inspection typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. There’s no charge and no obligation; you’ll receive a written report regardless of whether you proceed with repairs.
Step 2: Written damage assessment with photo documentation
Within 48 hours of inspection, you’ll receive a written report detailing the damage found, severity, recommended repair scope, and, if the damage is insurance-covered, the documentation you’ll need for your carrier. Photos accompany the report so you can review findings even if you weren’t home during inspection.
Step 3: Insurance claim coordination (if applicable)
For insurance-covered damage, we’ll handle the roofing-side coordination with your adjuster: providing damage documentation in the format your carrier expects, meeting the adjuster on-site to walk through findings, and negotiating scope disagreements if the adjuster’s initial assessment differs from the damage we found. This is where our storm-specific experience matters most.
Step 4: Repair scope confirmation and scheduling
Once scope is finalized (either with insurance approval or as a private-pay project), you’ll receive a formal estimate with materials, timeline, and warranty terms. We’ll schedule the work at a time that fits your calendar, typically within 1 to 4 weeks depending on scope complexity and material sourcing.
Step 5: Repair work and warranty documentation
On-site work begins per schedule. Simple repairs finish in a single day. Full-slope repairs or replacement work spans 2 to 5 days. We’ll provide photo documentation of the completed work and warranty paperwork. If insurance was involved, we deliver the completion documentation your carrier needs to release depreciation.
What Sets WDR Apart on Hail Damage Work
Storm-response work is a specialty. Here’s what makes our approach different from general roofers who handle hail damage occasionally.
Storm specialization at scale
We’ve responded to every major Austin hail event since 2012. That accumulated experience shows up in diagnosis quality (recognizing damage patterns quickly), insurance handling (knowing what each carrier expects), and scope judgment (understanding when repair is enough vs. when replacement is right).
GAF Master Elite® certification
Top 2% of GAF contractors nationwide. On hail-damaged GAF shingle installations, we can extend the full GAF unified warranty covering both materials and workmanship. Non-certified contractors can only extend the basic materials warranty.
W-2 crews, not day-labor
On storm work specifically, crew experience matters because working on damaged roofs requires knowing what damage patterns mean for safety and repair method. Our crews accumulate this knowledge over years. Rotating subcontractor crews that many storm-chaser roofers use don’t.
1,510+ five-star Google reviews
The largest count of any Austin roofing contractor. This review count reflects consistent workmanship across many storm cycles, including insurance-heavy work where customer satisfaction depends heavily on how the claim gets handled.
BBB A+ accreditation and fully insured
BBB accreditation with documented history of resolving customer concerns properly. General liability and workers’ comp insurance in place. Certificate of insurance available before contract signing. These credentials matter more on storm work because insurance carriers factor them into scope negotiation.
Local since 2012, not storm chasers
We’ve operated from 9711 Beck Cir in Austin since day one. We’re not a storm chaser that appears after major hail events and disappears before warranty periods finish. Long-tenured local presence means we’re accountable for the work years later.
Where We Serve in Hail Country
Full hail damage response coverage across the Austin metro and Hill Country corridor. Coverage extends from urban Austin out to outlying communities, so it’s a wide footprint.
Central Austin: downtown, East Austin, Mueller, Hyde Park, South Congress, Tarrytown, Zilker, Barton Hills, and surrounding neighborhoods. This is our fastest-response area.
Northern suburbs: Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Pflugerville. Regular route coverage for scheduled work; same-day emergency dispatch during major events.
Western Hill Country: West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Spicewood, Dripping Springs. Response times are slightly longer due to distance, but full coverage for both emergency and scheduled work.
Southern and southeastern Austin: Del Valle, Manor, Buda, Kyle. Scheduled coverage for repair work and inspections.
Storm events don’t respect neighborhood boundaries. If a major hail event hits any part of the Austin metro, our response protocol will activate across the whole coverage area, not just the neighborhoods we happen to be scheduled in that day.
Get a Free Hail Damage Inspection Now
The first step after any suspected hail event is inspection. Call (512) 820-6505 for phone requests, or use the estimate request form on this page. Same-day dispatch is available for active damage; scheduled inspections happen within 24 to 72 hours. If hail caused active leaking, our leak diagnosis service handles emergency response. If the hail damage is severe enough that repair isn’t viable, we’ll discuss Roof Replacement Project options as part of the same inspection.
Inspections are free and no-obligation. If you decide you don’t want to proceed with us, you keep the written report to use however serves you, comparing quotes from other contractors, filing your own insurance claim, or documenting the roof condition for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I get my roof inspected after a hailstorm?
As soon as safely possible after the storm passes. Same-week is ideal. Hail damage compounds over time , weakened shingles fail progressively , and insurance claim windows in Texas are typically one year but can be as short as 180 days. Early inspection creates documentation while the claim window is open and catches damage before it turns into leaks.
Will insurance cover my hail damage roof repair?
Hail damage from covered storm events is typically covered under the wind/hail portion of your homeowner’s policy. Your wind/hail deductible applies. Coverage depends on causation (storm-triggered vs age-related) and documentation. We provide the damage documentation your carrier needs and can coordinate with your adjuster directly.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Texas?
Most Texas homeowner policies allow one year from the date of loss to file a claim. Some policies have shorter windows, as tight as 180 days. Check your specific policy language. Regardless of your policy window, filing sooner rather than later strengthens the claim because damage documentation is fresher and easier to link to the specific storm event.
What size hail causes roof damage?
Hail 1 inch in diameter (about the size of a quarter) can damage aged or lower-quality asphalt shingles. Hail 1.5 inches or larger typically causes damage to most residential roofs regardless of age. Hail 2 inches or larger causes damage to Class 4 impact-rated shingles and can damage tile, metal, and concrete roofing. Wind speed accompanying the hail affects damage severity too.
How do I know if my roof has hail damage without climbing up?
Ground-level signs include dented gutters and downspouts, damaged AC condensers, damaged window screens, granule accumulation in gutters after each rain, and split tree branches from the storm event. If you see any of these, roof-top inspection is warranted. Some hail damage is only visible from roof level and requires professional inspection to identify properly.
Can hail damage be repaired or do I need a full replacement?
Depends on damage extent. Localized damage on younger roofs usually favors repair. Damage across more than 25% of the roof typically triggers replacement, either by insurance carrier decision (many carriers require replacement above threshold damage percentages) or by cost-effectiveness. Age of the roof, damage severity, and insurance coverage all factor into the decision.
Do you offer emergency tarping after hailstorms?
Yes. Same-day tarp installation for active leaks or open-roof damage from storm events. Tarp installation stops water intrusion while permanent repair gets scheduled. Emergency dispatch line is (512) 820-6505, answered 24 hours a day.
What if my insurance adjuster says damage isn't covered?
Adjuster disagreements happen. Our approach: we meet the adjuster on-site to walk through the specific damage patterns we found, present the meteorological evidence linking damage to a specific storm event, and negotiate scope based on what the damage actually requires. Reopening a claim after adjuster denial is possible but harder than getting the initial decision right. Having a storm-experienced roofer at the adjuster meeting produces better outcomes.
How much does hail damage roof repair cost?
Varies significantly by damage extent, roof material, and whether replacement or repair is warranted. Small localized shingle repairs are affordable. Full slope replacement or full-roof replacement is meaningfully more expensive. Insurance typically covers everything above your deductible for covered claims. Free on-site inspection provides written itemized estimate.
Do you work with insurance claims that were filed months ago?
Yes, as long as the claim is still within your policy window and hasn’t been formally closed. Reopening a claim you filed but haven’t yet acted on is straightforward if damage is still present. Reopening a formally closed claim is harder but sometimes possible with new documentation. We can discuss your specific situation during inspection.