Residential Hail Damage

We helped a homeowners insurance carrier to conduct an on-site review of hail damage at residence, completing an independent engineering evaluation report.

The Challenge

In late 2024, the homeowners of a one-story, 2,000 square-foot residence located in Grapevine, Texas reported that they had a hailstorm in November 2024, and that the roof coverings on the residence and the storage shed were damaged by hailstone impacts. It is further our understanding that the roof coverings had been previously inspected several times; however, questions remained regarding the extent of damage caused by hail, if any, to the roof coverings on the residence and storage shed. The homeowners decided to file an insurance claim for hail damage to the roof coverings on the residence and storage shed including window damage with their insurance carrier claiming that the storm event caused the damage.

Higgins & Associates were contacted by their insurance carrier to conduct an on-site review of the conditions and to develop an independent engineering evaluation report identifying the contributing cause(s) of the reported hail damage to the residence and storage shed roof coverings.

Our Approach

Upon us arriving at the residence, the homeowners in conjunction with their roofing contractor directed our attention to areas of reported hail damage on the residence and storage shed roof.

Higgins & Associates conducted detailed observations of the roof coverings, roof appurtenances, exterior wall cladding components, and collateral components of the residence and backyard storage shed.

We conducted weather research with regards to this property and the area in general in order to obtain historical weather data of thunderstorms that may have affected this property. This weather research revealed that there had been hail events in this area and hailstones of less than 1-inch fell at or near the property as far back as 2016.

In general, the asphalt roof shingles on the residence were severely weathered and deteriorated to an extent that their condition was premature considering the approximate age of the shingle roof covering only being approximately 13-years old based on available satellite imagery. Granule loss was observed throughout the roof covering on the residence and the exposed asphalt where granules were previously removed appeared to be faded with exposed fiberglass reinforcement, which is consistent with a long-term condition.

The Results

Higgins & Associates were able to determine that the asphalt shingle roof coverings on the home and storage shed were not damaged by hailstone impacts. Additionally, no wind damage was discovered to the residence roof or shed roof, to include other components located on the property. Further, our on-site evaluation of the residence, storage shed, roof coverings, and associated components did reveal some cosmetic dents and spatter marks to soft metals such as gutter downspouts, roof and chimney flashing elements, turbine vents, and air conditioning cooling fins. However, the observed denting was considered cosmetic in nature, and the dents had not reduced the functionality or long-term performance of those components.