Texas doesn't ease into storm season — it arrives all at once. One week it's 75°F and sunny, the next a supercell is dropping golf ball-sized hail on Round Rock subdivisions. We've seen it every year, and 2026 is shaping up to be an active spring.
The homeowners who avoid the biggest repair bills aren't the ones who get lucky. They're the ones who do five quick things before the first storm hits — and then know exactly what to do if it does.
Why Spring 2026 Matters
Central Texas is currently experiencing above-average moisture streaming in from the Gulf, which means the ingredients for large hail are in place through May. The National Weather Service has already flagged the March–May window as a period of elevated severe weather risk for the Austin–Round Rock metro.
If you haven't had your roof inspected since last fall, right now — before the season peaks — is the ideal time.
5 Things to Check Before the First Hail Storm
1. Look for Granule Loss on Your Shingles
Walk around your home after any rain and check the downspouts and gutters. If you see dark, sand-like granules washing out, your shingles are losing their protective coating. This is the most common pre-storm vulnerability we find.
Granule loss means less impact resistance — the difference between a dented shingle and a cracked one when hail hits.
2. Check Your Flashing Around Penetrations
Flashing is the metal that seals around chimneys, vents, skylights, and where your roof meets a wall. It's the #1 entry point for water after wind-driven rain. If it's lifted, cracked, or corroded, you'll find out the hard way during the first storm.
3. Know Your Shingle's Impact Rating
If your roof is more than 10 years old and was installed with standard architectural shingles, it's likely a Class 1 or 2 impact rating. Class 4 is the highest — these shingles are tested with 2-inch steel balls dropped at 90 mph and show no cracking.
Upgrading to Class 4 before a hail event can mean:
- 10–30% insurance premium discounts
- Surviving hail events that would total a standard roof
- Significantly longer lifespan in the Texas climate
Learn more about Class 4 impact-resistant shingles and the insurance discounts they qualify for.
4. Clear Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters during a heavy rain event cause water to back up under the drip edge — one of the sneakiest causes of fascia rot and interior ceiling stains. Spring cleaning your gutters takes 20 minutes and prevents thousands in water damage.
5. Schedule a Free Inspection Now (Not After)
Post-storm inspections serve an important purpose — they document damage for insurance claims. But a pre-storm inspection gives you the full picture of your roof's condition before damage occurs, so you have a baseline and aren't left wondering what was pre-existing.
We offer free 50-point roof inspections throughout Round Rock, Austin, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, and surrounding areas. We'll tell you exactly where your vulnerabilities are and what, if anything, needs to be done before storm season peaks.
What to Do Immediately After a Hail or Wind Storm
If a storm has already come through your area, here's the sequence:
Step 1: Don't wait. Insurance claims on storm damage typically need to be filed within 1 year, but adjusters get overwhelmed fast after major events. The earlier you file, the better your outcome.
Step 2: Document before touching anything. Walk your property and photograph everything — dented gutters, cracked downspouts, missing shingles, damaged siding, dented A/C units. These are all part of your claim.
Step 3: Call us before the insurance company sends an adjuster. We can attend the adjuster meeting with you, make sure nothing is missed, and provide documentation that insurance adjusters accept. Homeowners who go through this process alone routinely leave money on the table.
Step 4: Get covered quickly. If you have active leaks or missing shingles, we can tarp your roof within hours to prevent further interior damage — which you'd be responsible for if you wait.
Read our full guide: How to navigate a roof insurance claim in Texas.
Serving All of Central Texas
Our crews are based in Round Rock and serve the entire Austin metro: Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, San Marcos, New Braunfels, and beyond.
If a storm comes through and you're not sure whether you have damage — call us. Free inspections, honest assessments, and we'll never tell you that you need a new roof if you don't.
📞 (512) 763-5277 | Available 24/7 for storm emergencies
