The best time to think about hail is before it falls. A little preparation before DFW’s March-through-June peak season — and a clear understanding of what your roof warranty does and doesn’t cover — puts you miles ahead of the storm.
How to Prepare Your Home for Hail Season
Before the season: get a baseline roof inspection so you know (and can prove) your roof’s pre-storm condition — dated photos are claim gold. Trim overhanging branches. Clean gutters so storm water moves. Check your policy’s wind/hail deductible and coverage type before you need it. Photograph your home’s exterior, all four elevations.
If replacement is already on the horizon, do it before storm season with Class 4 impact-resistant shingles — you’ll face the season with a hail-resistant roof and possibly a lower premium. When storms threaten: move vehicles under cover, secure patio furniture, stay away from skylights during the storm. After it passes: walk the ground level looking for dents, damaged screens, and granules in the gutters — and if hail an inch or larger fell, schedule a free inspection.
Hail Damage Roof Warranty: What’s Covered and for How Long?
Every new roof carries two separate warranties. The manufacturer’s warranty covers the shingles against defects — commonly 25–30 years to “limited lifetime” on architectural shingles. The catch: manufacturer warranties generally do NOT cover hail damage (that’s what your homeowners insurance is for), and they can be voided by improper installation — which is why manufacturer-spec installation matters so much.
The workmanship warranty comes from your contractor and covers the installation itself — flashing details, sealing, fastening, ventilation. This is the warranty that fails you when a fly-by-night roofer leaves town. Questions to ask any roofer: How long is your workmanship warranty? Is it in writing? Will you still be here to honor it?
APGC stands behind every roof with a written workmanship warranty backed by a real Richardson office — and our photo documentation of your installation date and materials makes any future insurance claim cleaner. If you live in one of our storm-prone northern suburbs, see our local pages for Denton, The Colony, Southlake, and Grapevine.
Get a Free, Photo-Documented Roof Inspection
American Prime General Construction is a veteran-led, BBB A+ accredited roofing contractor based in Richardson, serving the entire DFW metroplex. If hail has hit your neighborhood, our BEI-credentialed inspectors will document exactly what the storm did to your home — free, with no obligation. Call or text our 24/7 storm line at (469) 888-8326 or request your free inspection online.
This article is general information for Texas homeowners, not legal or insurance advice. American Prime General Construction is a general contractor — not a public adjuster, insurance agent, or law firm — and does not adjust, negotiate, or settle insurance claims on behalf of policyholders. For advice about your specific policy or claim, contact your insurance agent or carrier, the Texas Department of Insurance (tdi.texas.gov, 1-800-252-3439), a licensed public adjuster, or an attorney.