We're partway through the 2026 storm season, and we've been on a lot of roofs across Kendall, Comal, and Bexar counties this spring and summer. Here's what we're actually finding.
The damage pattern this year
The most common thing we're documenting isn't dramatic. It's accumulated wind and small-hail damage on roofs that already had some age on them.
Specifically, we're seeing a lot of:
- Granule loss concentrated on west and southwest slopes, consistent with the direction most of this season's cells moved through.
- Lifted and creased shingles along ridges and rake edges — wind damage that doesn't look like much from the ground but breaks the seal strip.
- Damaged pipe boots and vent caps. These take a beating in wind-driven hail and they're the cheapest thing on the roof to fix.
- Bent or detached gutters and downspouts, which often signals the roof took a similar hit.
Why creased shingles matter more than they look
A creased shingle is one that got lifted by wind and folded back on itself, then laid back down. From the ground it looks completely normal.
What's happened underneath is that the factory seal strip has broken. That shingle is now significantly more likely to lift again in the next wind event, and the crease itself is a future crack point.
This is one of the most under-reported forms of storm damage, and it's a common source of disputes with adjusters who inspect quickly from a distance.
What we're telling homeowners
If a storm passed over your area this spring or summer, get an inspection even if nothing looks wrong. Three reasons:
- Most storm damage isn't visible from the ground. This is genuinely true, not a sales line. Bruising and seal-strip failure are invisible from a driveway.
- Texas claim deadlines are finite. Most policies require filing within a defined window after the date of loss. Waiting until you see an interior leak can put you past it.
- Documentation now protects you later. Even if there's no claimable damage today, a dated photo record establishes the roof's condition — useful if a later storm hits.
What we're not telling homeowners
We're not telling people they need a new roof when they don't. A meaningful share of the inspections we do this season end with "your roof took some minor wear, here's the photo record, we'll see you after the next one."
If a company knocks your door after a storm and every single house on your street somehow needs a full replacement, be skeptical. Our guide on choosing a roofer covers the warning signs.
Rest of season outlook
Hill Country storm activity typically continues into fall, with a secondary window in the autumn months. If your roof took wear this spring, going into the back half of the season with unrepaired damage means small problems get larger.
Pipe boots, lifted shingles, and damaged flashing are all inexpensive to address now and expensive to address after they've let water into the decking.
If you think you have damage
Do these in order:
- Photograph anything visible from the ground, including gutters, downspouts, and any debris in the yard.
- Note the date of the storm. You'll need it for a claim.
- Get a professional inspection with photo documentation before calling your insurer, so you know what you actually have.
- File within your policy's window if there's claimable damage.
Our Texas hail claim guide walks through the full process, including what to do if a claim gets denied.
Free inspections across Boerne, San Antonio, and the Hill Country. Get in touch or call (210) 245-4125.
