When a Texas storm rolls through, the noise can be intimidating. Once the clouds part, the real work begins. While the roof is the most obvious victim of wind and hail, a truly protected property requires a full exterior audit.
At Roofing Turtle, we believe in a methodical approach. Follow this step-by-step guide to inspect your property’s “shell” from the ground up.
1. The Ground-Level “Evidence” Hunt
Before you look up, look down. Your yard often holds the clues to what happened on your roof.
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The “Shingle Sand” Test: Check your driveway and the splash blocks at the bottom of your downspouts. If you see piles of granules (they look like coarse sand), your shingles have lost their UV protection and are now vulnerable to cracking.
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Fallen Debris: Look for pieces of shingles or metal flashing in the grass. If you see “shrapnel,” your roof has likely suffered wind uplift.
2. The “Soft Metal” Telltales
Metal components are the “canaries in the coal mine” for hail damage. Because they are softer than shingles, they show impact marks much more clearly.
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Gutters & Downspouts: Look for “dimples” or dents. Even small dents can disrupt the flow of water and lead to foundation issues.
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Window Wraps & Garage Doors: Check the metal trim around your windows and the panels of your garage door. If these are dented, the hail was definitely large enough to damage your roof.
3. The Eye-Level Perimeter Walk
Walk slowly around the entire building, looking at the vertical surfaces of your shell.
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Siding: Look for cracks in vinyl siding or “chips” in painted wood and fiber cement. High-velocity hail often hits at an angle, bruising the sides of the house.
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Window Screens: Check for tears or “bruises” in the mesh. A damaged screen is a high-probability indicator that the window seal or glass was also impacted.
4. The Skyward Scan (From the Ground)
Safety Note: Never climb onto a wet or potentially damaged roof. You can see almost everything you need with a pair of binoculars or your phone’s camera zoom.
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The “Missing Tooth” Look: Scan for missing shingles or areas that look “shiny” (where the asphalt is exposed).
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Turtle Vents & Chimney Caps: Look at the metal vents on your roof. Dented “turtle” vents are the primary evidence insurance adjusters look for when approving a full replacement.
Post-Storm Inspection Checklist
| Area to Check | What to Look For | Significance |
| Downspouts | Granule accumulation. | Loss of roof lifespan. |
| Window Trim | Dents and paint chips. | Proves hail size/force. |
| Fencing | Freshly “cleaned” spots. | Indicates high-velocity impact. |
| Ceilings | Yellow or brown spots. | Active leak in the shell. |
5. The Interior “Shadow” Check
Sometimes the damage to the shell is invisible on the outside but shows up on the inside.
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Check the Attic: If you have safe access, look for damp insulation or water staining on the underside of the roof deck.
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The “Pop” Test: Check your top-floor ceilings for “nail pops”—small circular bumps where the drywall nails have been pushed slightly by the pressure of wind or falling debris on the roof.
The Turtle Verdict: Slow and Steady Wins the Claim
Identifying damage is only the first step. If you find any of the signs above, the next step is a professional “Shell Audit.” Insurance companies have strict deadlines for filing claims, and waiting until the roof actually starts leaking can lead to denied coverage for interior damage.
Don’t leave your property’s protection to chance.