Wind Damage vs. Hail Damage: How to Tell the Difference
How wind damage and hail damage look different on a North Texas roof, why the difference matters for repairs, and what to look for after a storm.
North Texas storms often bring wind and hail together, but the two damage a roof in different ways. Knowing the difference helps you understand what you're looking at and what kind of repair it needs.
What wind damage looks like
- Missing shingles, often in patches along edges, ridges and corners
- Lifted or creased shingles, with a visible horizontal crease where the tab bent back
- Broken seal strips, so shingles flap in the next breeze
- Debris impacts from branches or flying objects
- Damaged ridge cap and flashing
What hail damage looks like
- Random, roughly round impact marks where granules were knocked off
- Bruises that feel soft when pressed
- Cracks radiating from impact points
- Dents in vents, gutters, flashing and other metal
- Damage concentrated on the slopes facing the storm
Why the difference matters
Wind damage is often localized and can frequently be repaired by replacing affected shingles, as long as matching shingles are available and the rest of the roof is sound. Widespread hail damage affects the whole surface and is more often a replacement conversation.
What you can check from the ground
Look for shingles in the yard, gaps or lifted edges along the roofline, and dents in soft metals. Binoculars help. Don't climb up: creased and bruised shingles are fragile, and roofs are dangerous.
A free inspection documents both kinds of damage with photos, so you know exactly what the storm did.