Wind and Hail Damage: What Property Owners Need to Know

wind and hail damage, roof repair, roof replacement, roof inspection

Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, severe weather isn’t just a possibility—it’s practically guaranteed. When high winds howl and hailstones strike, property owners hope for minimal damage. Unfortunately, 3:16 Roofing & Construction has seen firsthand how significant wind and hail damage—especially to asphalt shingles—often remains hidden beneath the surface. Gaining a clear understanding of how storms affect your roof is crucial for protecting your property and successfully managing wind and hail insurance claims, typically beginning with expert storm restoration.

As your trusted DFW roofing partner, we’re here to break down the mechanics of storm damage, emphasize the critical failure point of broken shingle seals, and guide you through the essential steps. This includes a thorough residential roof inspection to determine whether a full roof replacement is necessary. When documented storm damage justifies a new roof, acting quickly ensures your property remains fully protected.

Your Roof’s First Line of Defense: The Anatomy of an Asphalt Shingle

Modern asphalt shingles are engineered for durability, featuring four primary components:

Fiberglass Mat Forms the structural core, providing strength and dimensional stability.
Asphalt Coating Serves as the main waterproofing agent, protecting your home or business from rain and moisture.
Ceramic Granules Shield the asphalt from intense Texas UV rays, offer color variety, and provide limited impact resistance against hail. (Check out various shingle colors to see your options.)
Seal Strip A thermally activated adhesive that bonds shingles together, forming a wind-resistant surface. This strip is especially crucial during high-wind events.

Every layer matters, but the seal strip is particularly vital. If it’s compromised, your roof becomes vulnerable to the kind of wind and hail damage that’s common in North Texas.

Double Trouble: How DFW Storms Attack Your Roof with Wind and hail damage

Storms in the DFW area often deliver a one-two punch of hail and high winds. Our professional inspection process meticulously checks for both.

1. Hail Damage: Stripping Away Protection

Hailstones act like tiny hammers, battering your shingles and knocking off the protective granules.

Immediate Threat: Granule loss exposes the underlying asphalt.
Long-Term Danger: UV rays degrade exposed asphalt more quickly, resulting in brittleness, cracking, and compromised waterproofing.
Consequences: This accelerated aging can lead to premature roof failure and leaks that require substantial repairs or a full replacement.

2. Wind Damage: Breaking the Critical Seal

High winds create powerful uplift forces that pry shingles upward, targeting the adhesive seal strip.

The Process: Wind sneaks under shingle edges, lifting and flexing them repeatedly.
The Failure: Enough force breaks the factory seal, leaving shingles loose and unbonded.
The Result: Unsecured shingles can crease, tear, or even fly off entirely—damage that goes far beyond a simple roof repair.

3-Tab Vulnerability Traditional 3-tab shingles, which are lighter and have uniform edges, are especially susceptible to wind damage. Today’s heavier architectural shingles offer better wind resistance and longevity.

The Unseen Failure: A Broken Seal Means Permanent Damage

One of our core assessment principles is that once wind breaks a shingle’s factory seal, the damage is permanent.

No Effective Re-Seal: Once the original bond is gone, contaminants prevent any meaningful re-adhesion.
Hidden Danger: Compromised seals are hard to spot from the ground, requiring a hands-on, professional inspection.
Lost Functionality: A shingle without a seal strip can’t protect against wind-driven rain or prevent uplift.

The Clock Is Ticking: Inevitable Consequences of Unaddressed Damage

When wind and hail damage is widespread, your roof is on borrowed time:

Increased Vulnerability: Even moderate winds can tear off previously loosened shingles, while hail-damaged areas continue to degrade.
Water Intrusion: Wind-driven rain easily slips under broken seals, often causing leaks, rot, mold, and costly interior repairs.

Ignoring storm damage doesn’t make it go away; it only guarantees more severe, more expensive problems. Often, a full roof replacement becomes inevitable.

Why Full Roof Replacement Is Often the Smartest Solution

Sometimes, an isolated problem can be fixed. But when wind and hail damage is widespread, a complete replacement is usually the most effective and economical long-term option.

Systemic Compromise: Damage often affects the entire roofing system, not just individual shingles.
Ineffective Fixes: Simple sealants or patches don’t restore the original factory bond or replace lost granule protection.
Long-Term Value & Protection: A new roof, frequently covered by wind and hail insurance (when damage is properly documented), fully restores system integrity.
Cost-Effectiveness: Investing in a replacement now prevents ongoing repairs and protects against major interior damage later. For an overview of potential expenses, see our guide on roof replacement cost.

A Valuable Upgrade With Your Insurance Roof Replacement

At 3:16 Roofing & Construction, we prioritize quality and durability. That’s why we do not install basic 3-tab shingles. When your wind and hail insurance claim approves replacing an existing 3-tab roof, our standard installation includes superior architectural (laminate) shingles rated for at least 110 mph winds.

This is a significant upgrade over traditional 3-tab shingles—often rated only 60 to 70 mph—and is typically covered by the same insurance settlement intended for basic shingle materials. You’ll enjoy:

Enhanced Durability: Better resistance to future storms.
Improved Curb Appeal: Architectural shingles add a more dimensional, modern look.
Superior Wind Resistance: Substantially reduces the risk of future wind damage.

If our detailed inspection confirms widespread damage, we’ll recommend a full replacement so you can benefit from higher-quality materials.

Your Next Steps: Partnering With 3:16 Roofing & Construction

Dealing with storm damage and insurance claims can be stressful. 3:16 Roofing & Construction aims to simplify the process:

Safety First: Check for visible damage from the ground (missing shingles, dents, granule buildup). Never climb a potentially damaged roof.
Schedule Your FREE Roof Inspection: Call us at 817-402-7663 or contact us online to book a comprehensive evaluation. We thoroughly assess hail and wind damage, including testing those crucial seals.
Expert Documentation: We record all findings with photos and detailed notes—helping you understand the necessary insurance scope of work.
Insurance Claim Support: We work directly with your insurance adjuster upon request, ensuring fair and accurate assessment. If disagreements arise, an insurance appraisal may be necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage

While we handle your roofing needs, it’s vital to clarify your policy details with your insurance agent. Common questions include:

What is my deductible? Deductibles vary greatly ($1,000 to $10,000+), so confirm the exact amount for wind/hail claims.
Do I have coverage exclusions? Policies may exclude damage due to the roof’s age or pre-existing conditions. Review the “Exclusions” section with your agent.
Was I insured during the storm event? Coverage applies only if your policy was active at the time of loss. Check your effective dates, especially if you recently switched carriers.

Trust Your Property’s Protection to 3:16 Roofing & Construction

Don’t let hidden wind and hail damage put your DFW property at risk. Broken seals and granule loss are serious issues that require expert evaluation. Often, a full roof replacement—including a complimentary upgrade to high-performance architectural shingles—is the best way to ensure long-term protection after severe weather.

Take the first step toward peace of mind.

Call: 817-402-7663
Visit: 316roofingtx.com

Let our dedication to integrity, premium materials, and skilled installation safeguard your home or business. Learn more about us, and find out why we’re proud to serve the DFW community as your trusted roofing partner.