What to Inspect After a North Texas Hail or Windstorm

Severe thunderstorms are a normal part of life in North Texas. High winds, hail, heavy rain, and flying debris can damage a home in only a few minutes. Some problems are obvious, such as a fallen fence or broken window, while others may remain hidden until the next major rainstorm.

Inspecting your property soon after a storm can help you catch damage early, prevent water intrusion, and avoid more expensive repairs later.

Here are the most important areas North Texas homeowners should inspect after a hail or windstorm.

1. Start With Safety

Before walking around your property, make sure the area is safe.

Watch for:

• Downed power lines

• Broken tree limbs

• Loose roofing materials

• Shattered glass

• Standing water near electrical equipment

• Unstable fences or structures

• Hanging gutters or siding

Never approach a fallen power line or anything touching one. Keep children and pets inside until you have checked the yard for sharp debris and other hazards.

Avoid climbing onto the roof yourself, especially if it is wet, steep, or visibly damaged. Many roofing problems can be identified from the ground or inspected safely by a qualified professional.

2. Check the Roof for Hail and Wind Damage

The roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of a home during a North Texas storm.

From the ground, look for:

• Missing or lifted shingles

• Shingles lying in the yard

• Bent or damaged roof vents

• Exposed underlayment

• Damaged flashing

• Dented metal roofing

• Loose ridge caps

• Debris resting on the roof

Hail damage can be difficult to see from below. Asphalt shingles may have bruised areas, missing granules, or small impact marks that weaken the roofing material.

Even when the roof is not actively leaking, damaged shingles can allow water to enter during future storms. A professional roof inspection may be worthwhile after a storm that produced large hail or strong winds.

3. Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters often provide some of the clearest signs of hail damage.

Look for:

• Dents

• Cracks

• Loose sections

• Separated joints

• Gutters pulling away from the roof

• Damaged downspouts

• Heavy amounts of roofing granules

• Blockages caused by leaves or storm debris

A large amount of shingle granules inside the gutters may indicate that the roof surface was damaged.

Make sure downspouts still direct water away from the home. Water collecting near the foundation can contribute to soil movement, drainage problems, and foundation concerns.

4. Look for Window and Screen Damage

High winds and hail can damage more than the glass itself.

Inspect:

• Windowpanes

• Screens

• Frames

• Seals

• Exterior trim

• Shutters

• Caulking around the windows

Look for cracks, chips, torn screens, loose trim, or water collecting between windowpanes.

Even a small crack can become worse over time. Damaged seals or trim may also allow moisture to enter the wall around the window.

5. Examine the Siding, Brick, and Exterior Walls

Walk around the entire home and inspect each side carefully.

Hail and wind can cause:

• Cracked or missing siding

• Dents in metal siding

• Chipped paint

• Loose trim

• Damaged stucco

• Cracked mortar

• Marks from flying debris

• Gaps around exterior penetrations

Brick usually handles hail well, but strong impacts can damage mortar joints, vents, trim, and nearby siding materials.

Pay special attention to the side of the home that faced the storm. Damage is often concentrated in one direction.

6. Check the Attic for Signs of Water

Some roof leaks are not immediately visible inside the living areas.

After the storm, inspect the attic if it is safe and accessible. Look for:

• Wet insulation

• Water stains

• Dripping

• Damp wood

• Darkened roof decking

• Light entering through the roof

• Musty odors

Use a flashlight and avoid stepping between ceiling joists. Wet insulation or small water stains may indicate roof damage even when the ceilings inside the home still look normal.

7. Inspect Ceilings and Interior Walls

Walk through the home and check ceilings, exterior walls, and areas around windows.

Watch for:

• New water stains

• Bubbling paint

• Peeling drywall

• Damp spots

• Discoloration

• Cracks that were not present before

• Water around window frames

Storm-related water damage may not appear immediately. Continue watching these areas for several days, especially after another rain.

Take photographs of anything that appears new or unusual.

8. Inspect Fences and Gates

High winds can loosen fence posts, pull panels away from rails, and damage gates.

Check for:

• Leaning posts

• Loose panels

• Broken pickets

• Missing fasteners

• Sagging gates

• Cracked concrete around posts

• Sections pulling away from the house

A fence may still be standing but have enough structural damage to fall during the next storm.

Repairing loose posts and panels early can prevent more extensive replacement later.

9. Check Trees and Landscaping

Storm-damaged trees can remain dangerous after the weather has passed.

Look for:

• Broken branches

• Split trunks

• Leaning trees

• Hanging limbs

• Uprooted roots

• Branches resting on the roof

• Damage near utility lines

Do not stand underneath damaged limbs. Large branches and trees near power lines should be handled by qualified professionals.

Also inspect landscaping around the foundation. Heavy rain may wash away soil, block drains, or create low areas where water collects.

10. Inspect Patios, Pergolas, and Outdoor Structures

Outdoor living spaces can suffer significant wind and hail damage.

Inspect:

• Patio covers

• Pergolas

• Gazebos

• Outdoor kitchens

• Deck boards

• Railings

• Ceiling fans

• Outdoor lighting

• Screens and shades

• Fireplaces and chimneys

Look for loose roofing panels, shifted posts, damaged fasteners, cracked masonry, and movement where the structure connects to the home.

Do not use an outdoor structure that appears unstable until it has been properly evaluated.

11. Check the Garage Door

A garage door covers one of the largest openings in the home. Strong wind can damage the panels, tracks, springs, seals, and operating system.

Look for:

• Dented panels

• Misaligned tracks

• Gaps around the door

• Broken windows

• Loose hardware

• Unusual noises

• Difficulty opening or closing

Do not attempt to repair garage-door springs yourself. They are under heavy tension and can cause serious injury.

12. Inspect Air-Conditioning Equipment

Outdoor HVAC units can be damaged by hail, branches, and flying debris.

Check for:

• Bent condenser fins

• Dents

• Debris around the unit

• Damaged electrical lines

• Unusual sounds

• Reduced cooling performance

• Water collecting around the equipment

Do not open or dismantle the unit yourself. If the system is operating differently after the storm, schedule an inspection with a qualified HVAC technician.

13. Look for Drainage Problems

Heavy North Texas rain can reveal drainage issues that were not obvious before the storm.

Inspect the property for:

• Standing water

• Overflowing gutters

• Washed-out soil

• Erosion near the foundation

• Blocked drains

• Water flowing toward the house

• Pooling around patios and walkways

Water should move away from the home. Drainage problems can damage landscaping, concrete, exterior finishes, and the foundation if they are not addressed.

14. Check Vehicles and Other Property

Hail damage may also affect vehicles, trailers, sheds, outdoor equipment, and fencing.

Inspect these items for dents, cracked glass, leaks, and damaged covers. Photograph any storm debris near the property before moving it when possible.

Document Everything

Take clear photographs and videos of any visible damage before temporary repairs are made.

Record:

• The date and approximate time of the storm

• Areas of the home that were damaged

• Fallen branches or debris

• Interior water stains

• Damaged building materials

• Temporary repairs

• Receipts for emergency work

Good documentation can help contractors understand the damage and may be useful when communicating with your insurance company.

Make Temporary Repairs Carefully

Temporary repairs can help prevent additional damage while permanent work is being scheduled.

Examples may include:

• Covering a broken window

• Placing a container beneath an active leak

• Moving furniture away from wet areas

• Securing a loose gate

• Protecting exposed openings from rain

Do not attempt repairs that require climbing onto an unsafe roof, working near electricity, or handling unstable structures.

When Should You Call a Professional?

Consider scheduling a professional inspection when:

• Large hail was reported in your area

• Shingles or roofing materials are missing

• Water is entering the home

• The attic shows moisture

• Windows or exterior walls are damaged

• A patio cover or fence appears unstable

• Trees have fallen on the home

• You are unsure whether the damage is structural

Not every storm requires a major repair, but an early inspection can identify small problems before they become larger ones.

Protect Your North Texas Home After a Storm

Hail and wind damage are not always immediately visible. A home may appear fine from the street while still having damaged shingles, loose flashing, water intrusion, or weakened outdoor structures.

Inspecting the roof, gutters, windows, siding, attic, fences, drainage, and outdoor living areas can help you understand the condition of your property and determine what should be repaired first.

Schedule a Storm-Damage Inspection With Whitler Homes

Whitler Homes helps North Texas homeowners evaluate and repair damage caused by hail, wind, and severe weather.

Whether your property needs roofing repairs, exterior restoration, fence work, drainage improvements, window replacement, or more extensive remodeling, our team can help identify the damage and develop a practical repair plan.

Contact Whitler Homes today to schedule an inspection and protect your home from further damage.