Hail and Your Roof in Dallas–Fort Worth

Hail is the roof problem Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners face most often, and it usually hits in spring. After a storm, document what you can see from the ground, cover any open holes from inside, file your claim promptly, and get a written inspection before signing anything. Texas law bars roofers from waiving your deductible.

How often does hail hit Dallas–Fort Worth?

Often enough that it should be part of how you plan for your roof. The National Weather Service office in Fort Worth puts it plainly: "Large hail, damaging winds, flooding, and tornadoes occur nearly every year in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex" (NWS Fort Worth). The same office notes that thunderstorms and severe weather peak during the spring.

The region also has a long record of very expensive hailstorms. The NWS Fort Worth office published a list of the costliest hailstorms in Texas, using figures from the Insurance Council of Texas in 2013 dollars (NWS Fort Worth, June 13, 2012 storm). All six storms on that list hit North Texas. The top five:

• May 5, 1995 ("Mayfest"), North Texas: listed at $1.62 billion (NWS Fort Worth).
• April 28, 1992, Fort Worth and Waco: listed at $1.21 billion (NWS Fort Worth).
• April 5, 2003, North Texas: listed at $1.13 billion (NWS Fort Worth).
• June 13, 2012, North Texas: an estimated $901 million (NWS Fort Worth).
• April 28, 1995, DFW Airport: listed at $654 million (NWS Fort Worth).

The June 13, 2012 storm is a good example of how fast this happens. The NWS describes isolated severe storms late in the afternoon that "pummeled parts of Dallas, Collin, and Fannin counties," with hail up to 4.25 inches across, and says numerous cars and houses were severely damaged.

What is the Dallas climate like for a roof?

Hot, with storms that can bring a lot of rain at once. Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the area averages about 106 days a year at or above 90°F, about 20 days at or above 100°F, and about 37 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA climate normals, DFW Airport). The NWS notes that summer overnight lows sometimes stay above 80 degrees (NWS Fort Worth).

What that means for you:

• Spring is the risk window for hail. Plan roof checks after each spring storm season, not just when you see a leak.
• Long, hot summers are hard on any roof. A roof that took hail in April has to get through months of heat before the next storm season.
• Heavy downpours find weak spots. A small hail bruise or a lifted shingle may not leak until a big rain arrives.

What does hail damage look like from the ground?

You often can't see shingle damage from the yard, and you should not climb onto the roof to look. Hail damage on asphalt shingles is often small: dents, bruises or spots where the granules were knocked off. A pro checks this up close with the right safety gear.

Signs you can safely check from the ground or inside:

• Dented gutters, downspouts, vents or the metal caps on your roof. If soft metal is dented, the shingles took the same hits.
• Granules in gutters or at the bottom of downspouts. Shingle granules look like coarse sand.
• Damage on things around the house: dented car hoods, a pocked air conditioner fin, split window screens, chipped paint on the north or west side.
• Water stains on ceilings or in the attic after the next rain.
• Shingles in the yard or shingles that look out of place from the ground. Hail storms often come with strong wind.

If water is coming through a ceiling near a light fixture, outlet or fan, stay clear of it and switch off that circuit at the breaker only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.

What should you do in the first few days after a Dallas hailstorm?

Protect the house, document everything, and start your claim. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) gives this list of steps after hail or windstorms (TDI):

1. Take pictures and video of the damage. Include dented gutters, damaged siding and anything else you can see safely from the ground.
2. Don't throw away damaged items until your insurance company tells you to.
3. Remove standing water and cover broken windows and holes to keep rain out. TDI notes your policy may pay for temporary repairs, so keep receipts.
4. File a claim as soon as you can. Deadlines depend on your policy, so ask your insurer for yours in writing.
5. Be available for the adjuster visit, and keep a list of everyone you talk to at the insurance company.
6. Ask about living expenses if you can't stay in the home.

Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer has seen the damage, unless your insurer tells you otherwise. A temporary tarp from a pro is different from a full repair.

Can a roofer pay or waive my deductible in Texas?

No. TDI states that "it's also illegal in Texas for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate, or absorb a property policyholder's deductible" (TDI). TDI also says Texas doesn't allow a roofer or contractor to act as a public insurance adjuster on your claim. That rules out a roofer who offers to negotiate your settlement for you.

TDI adds that contracts of $1,000 or more tied to an insurance settlement must include a notice that you are responsible for your deductible, and insurers can ask you for proof that you paid it (TDI). Its separate tip sheet explains that a contractor who promises to waive your deductible might be sending false information to your insurance company about the cost of repairs (TDI).

After a big DFW storm, expect door-to-door offers. TDI's fraud tips are a good filter (TDI):

• Get more than one bid or repair estimate.
• Check references and phone numbers.
• Don't pay in full up front.
• Avoid anyone who offers to waive your deductible.
• Never sign a contract that has blank spaces.

What does hail damage repair cost?

Cost depends on how much of the roof was hit and whether the decking underneath was damaged. These are national figures, not Dallas-specific prices, as of 2026:

• Hail damage repair: Fixr puts hail damage repairs between $700 and $4,000 (Fixr).
• Replacing damaged or missing shingles: typically $150 to $700 (Fixr).
• Roof decking repair: $150 to $1,000 (Fixr).
• Professional roof inspection: most homeowners pay between $307 and $571 (Fixr).
• Full asphalt shingle replacement: $8,000 to $16,000 (Fixr).

If your claim is approved, your out-of-pocket cost is usually your deductible plus anything the policy doesn't cover. TDI explains that some policies pay up to the full cost to repair your roof at current prices, while others pay less if the roof is older or showing wear (TDI). It's worth knowing which kind you have before the next storm. For a deeper breakdown, see what hail damage roof repair costs.

Repair or replace after hail?

It depends on how widespread the damage is and how old the roof was before the storm. Common patterns:

• Scattered damage on a newer roof: often a repair of the affected shingles, vents and flashing.
• Damage across most slopes: insurers and roofers often look at replacement, because matching patched areas to weathered shingles is hard.
• An older roof that was already near the end of its life: replacement is likely, but your payout may be reduced if your policy pays on actual cash value.

A pro will look at how many hits per section of roof, whether the shingle mat is cracked or just the granules are gone, and whether the decking is soft. Our guide to signs your roof needs replacing covers the age and wear side.

Do impact-resistant shingles make sense in DFW?

They're worth asking about, especially if you're replacing anyway. TDI says to consider roofing materials less likely to be damaged by wind, hail or fire, and notes your insurance company might give you a discount for using them (TDI). Ask your insurer before you choose, since discounts and rules vary.

Two points from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) help set expectations:

• The label isn't the whole story. In IBHS testing of shingles that all carried an impact-resistant label, "product performance ranged from Excellent to Poor" (IBHS). Ask the roofer which product they're quoting and look it up in IBHS's published ratings.
• Altitude matters, and Dallas is lower than the Front Range. IBHS explains that thinner air at higher elevations means hail hits harder, and gives the example that "a 1-in. hailstone that falls in Denver has the same energy as a 1.2-in. hailstone would in Dallas" (IBHS). DFW still sees very large hail, as the 2012 storm showed.

If you're comparing notes with family in Colorado, our Denver hail and roof guide covers how hail behaves there.

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Dallas?

For a full or large reroof, yes. The City of Dallas says minor repairs to roofing or roof vents do not require a permit, but replacing a large area or the entire roof "would require a re-roof permit" (City of Dallas). The city lists shingle and deck damage as a roofing permit that can be obtained over the counter or online, and treats storm damage to roof joists or rafters as structural work that needs a building permit.

The same page says registered contractors may apply online. Practical steps:

• Ask who is pulling the permit. Usually it's the roofing company. Get the permit number.
• Check your own city. Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Frisco and other DFW cities run their own permit offices with their own rules.
• Ask about inspections. Find out whether the city will inspect the finished roof and when.

What should you ask a roofer after a hailstorm?

A short list of questions helps you compare companies and spot pressure tactics:

1. Are you registered with the City of Dallas (or my city), and will you pull the permit?
2. What insurance do you carry, and can I see the certificate?
3. Where is your business located, and how long have you worked in North Texas?
4. Can you show me photos of the hail hits you found, slope by slope?
5. Is the decking damaged, and how will you price decking if you find more once the shingles are off?
6. Which shingle are you quoting, and how does it rate in IBHS hail testing?
7. Will the written estimate list every line item, including vents, flashing and gutters?
8. What warranty covers your workmanship, and for how long?

Get every promise in writing, and remember that the deductible is yours to pay. Our guide to roof damage insurance claims walks through the claim side in more detail.

When should you call a pro?

Call soon after any storm that dents gutters or vents, drops granules, or leaves stains inside. Call right away if water is coming through a ceiling, if shingles or decking are missing, or if a tree limb is on the roof. Don't go up on the roof yourself, especially when it's wet.

Bellwick is a free service that helps you understand the likely problem and can connect you with a local roofing company. Bellwick doesn't do the work. If you'd like a quick read on what you're seeing first, check my roof.