How a storm inspection differs from a routine roof check
A routine inspection looks at overall condition: age, wear, ventilation and small maintenance items. Our routine condition inspection covers that. A storm inspection asks a narrower question: what did one specific storm do to this roof, and can that be shown clearly to someone who wasn't there?
That changes how we work. We separate fresh storm damage from older wear, because an adjuster will make that distinction too. We record the storm date, look for evidence of hail size and wind direction, and document each slope separately so the report can be compared line by line with an adjuster's own findings.
What is a test square, and why does it matter?
A test square is a 10 by 10 foot area, one roofing square, marked in chalk on each slope. We count and circle every hail hit inside it and photograph it from above with the count written beside it. Many adjusters use test squares to decide whether a slope needs repair or replacement, so having our own count gives you a fair point of comparison.
We place squares on representative areas of each slope, not on the worst spot we can find. Slopes facing the storm usually show more hits than sheltered ones, and the report should reflect that honestly. Overstating damage helps nobody and tends to weaken a claim rather than strengthen it.
Soft metals tell the story of the storm
Soft metals dent more easily than roofing and keep a clear record of what fell. Box vents, turbine vents, gutters, downspouts, valley metal and window wraps all show hail size, how dense it was and which way it came from. A row of dents on the west face of every vent tells us the storm's direction.
We photograph these with a ruler or coin for scale. They help confirm that marks on shingles or tile came from hail and not from foot traffic, blistering or manufacturing flaws. Dents on the house's soft metals are often the easiest proof to understand at a glance.
Wind leaves its own evidence too: creased tabs on the windward side, missing ridge caps and debris lodged on the roof. We note those separately from hail, since policies and adjusters often handle the two differently. A roof can show wind damage on one side and hail on another from the same storm, and the report keeps them apart.
- Roof vents and turbine caps.
- Gutters, downspouts and splash guards.
- Valley metal and drip edge.
- Window wraps, screens and AC fin coils.
- Painted metal like mailboxes and light fixtures.
Collateral damage notes for the adjuster
Collateral damage is storm damage around the property that isn't on the roof. Dented AC condenser fins, chipped paint on fences, cracked window screens and broken patio covers all support the case that a storm hit hard enough to damage the roof as well. We photograph and list what we see at ground level.
These notes aren't a claim of what your policy covers. They're observations, kept factual and dated. If you decide to file, our claim documentation help page explains how we can walk through the report with you and your adjuster. Everything in it stays factual, so it holds up whether or not a claim is filed.
When should you schedule a storm inspection?
Within a few weeks of the storm is best. Fresh hail marks are easier to read before sun and rain wear them down, and later storms can blur which damage came from which event. Most policies also have reporting deadlines, so check yours. Waiting until a leak shows up months later makes it harder to tie the damage to one storm.
San Antonio's main hail season runs from March through June, and several storms in one spring is common. If you've had more than one storm, tell us the dates you remember. Our guide to the first day after hail lists what to photograph yourself before we arrive.
Not sure the storm hit your street? Hail falls in narrow bands, and one neighborhood can be untouched while another a mile away is damaged. A quick look at your own vents, cars and outdoor furniture usually answers that. If you see fresh dents on any of them, the roof is worth a closer look even when nothing looks wrong from the yard.
What you receive after the inspection
You get a photo report organized by slope, with overview shots, close ups of damage, test square counts, soft metal photos and collateral notes. Each photo is labeled with what it shows and where on the roof it was taken. The report comes as a file you can forward, print or keep with your home records, and nothing in it is written to push you toward a claim.
We also tell you plainly what we found: no meaningful storm damage, damage that can be repaired, or damage widespread enough that a claim is worth discussing. If repair is the answer, our hail repair service picks up from there with the same photo record.
