What hail damage looks like on commercial roofs
| Roof | What we look for |
|---|---|
| Metal (R-panel, standing seam) | Dents in panels, ribs, ridge and trim; cracked light panels; broken finish or sealant at the strike |
| TPO and PVC | Fractures or punctures in the membrane, and crushed insulation or cover board underneath |
| Mod bit and built-up | Granule loss, bruises and fractures in the cap sheet, a disturbed gravel surface |
| Coated roofs | Cracked or split coating and damage to the roof underneath |
| Everything on the roof | Dented HVAC fins and housings, vents, edge metal, gutters and skylights, which help show hail size and direction |
How we document it
- Storm data: the date and hail reports near you from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Our storm damage page lists recent North Texas reports.
- On-roof inspection of every roof section, with test areas marked and photographed
- Drone photos and drone thermal scans to map wet insulation across large roofs
- Soft metals and rooftop equipment photographed as storm evidence
- Written photo report with measurements and roof areas. Every inspection comes with a free digital photo report, so you see what we see.
Insurer deadlines in Texas
The Texas Department of Insurance summarizes the claim-handling deadlines in the Texas Insurance Code (sections 542.055 to 542.058). For commercial property:
- Within 15 days of your claim, the insurer must acknowledge it, start investigating and ask for anything else it needs
- Within 15 business days of getting everything it needs, it must approve or deny the claim in writing, or tell you why it needs more time (up to 45 more days)
- Once it approves the claim, payment is due within 5 business days
Source: Texas Department of Insurance, consumer rights for commercial property insurance. Deadlines can be extended after a declared disaster. Your policy also sets its own deadline for reporting a loss. Read yours or ask your agent.
Policy terms worth checking
- Wind and hail deductible: on commercial policies this is often a percentage of the insured value, not a flat dollar amount
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value: whether depreciation comes out of the payment
- Cosmetic damage exclusions: many policies exclude dents on metal that don't let water in
- Ordinance or law coverage: helps pay for code upgrades a re-roof triggers
- Reporting deadline: how long after the storm you have to report it
Don't wait for the next storm
North Texas can get more than one damaging hailstorm in a season. When damage from two storms overlaps, it gets harder to separate. Having the roof inspected and documented soon after each storm keeps a clean record.
What we do and don't do
We inspect the roof, document the damage, can be there when your adjuster inspects, and do the repair or replacement. We document the damage with photos and measurements. We don't adjust or negotiate claims; you work the claim with your insurance company. If you want someone to represent you on the claim, we have working relationships with attorneys, public adjusters and appraisers and can refer you. You pay your deductible, as Texas law requires.
Building back stronger
A claim can be a good time to change systems: 24 or 26 gauge metal, a thicker membrane or a cover board under TPO, or a retrofit. Any upgrade cost beyond what the claim covers is quoted in writing first.
We offer same-day response in almost every case, and we answer leak and storm calls 24/7. We're certified with Johns Manville, GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning and Atlas. Back to commercial roofing.
Commercial warranty: a workmanship warranty from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job, plus 10- to 20-year NDL (no-dollar-limit) manufacturer warranties. Manufacturer coverage depends on the product and brand, and on the project qualifying for that manufacturer's program. We put the exact warranty for your roof in writing.
Certified, with 30 years installing every major roofing brand, a family roofing business going back 75 years, and over $80 million in completed roofing projects. 5.0 stars on Google at all three of our offices.
Request a free inspection or call (817) 733-9228. Small repairs are welcome too.