After Hail in Little Elm: Checking the Roof and Handling the Claim
Little Elm sees hail most years. Knowing what to look for and what order to do things in saves you time, stress and money.
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What hail does to a roof
Bruises
Soft spots where the shingle mat is cracked under the surface. They may feel spongy to the touch.
Granule loss
Dark round marks where granules were knocked off, exposing the asphalt to sun.
Cracks and splits
Broken shingles, especially on older or very hot roofs.
Broken seals
Impact can loosen shingles so wind lifts them in the next storm.
Metal dents
Vents, flashing, gutters and downspouts show dents first. Read how to identify hail damage on asphalt shingles.
How often hail hits Little Elm
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 164 hail reports within 10 miles of Little Elm from 2015 through 2024. Of those, 50 measured 1.75 inches or more. The largest stone, 4.25 inches, was reported on March 26, 2017. Hail showed up in 8 of the 10 years, missing only 2015 and 2020.
Put simply, most Little Elm homes face at least one hail storm in a typical few-year stretch. Because half of the homes were built before 2011 and half after (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024), many roofs are still fairly new. A newer roof can still take real damage. It just tends to be harder to see.
All of Little Elm sits in Denton County, so the storm reports above apply to the whole town, older streets and newer ones alike.
What to do, in order
Look, do not climb
Check gutters, vents, siding and fences from the ground. Do not walk a roof after a storm.
Write down the date
Note the storm date and the size of hail you saw. Dated photos help later.
Book an inspection
A roofer checks every slope, marks hits and photographs them. Read what a roof inspection after hail includes.
Review your policy
Find your deductible and whether you have actual cash value or replacement cost coverage.
Contact your insurer
Coverage depends on your policy and your carrier. Share photos and the written estimate with the adjuster.
Avoid these common mistakes
Signing a contract with someone at your door the day after the storm without checking them out.
Waiting until a leak appears before calling anyone.
Throwing away hail-damaged items before photographing them.
Assuming no leak means no damage.
Starting full repairs before talking to your insurer, if you plan to file. See can you replace your roof before insurance approves.
Letting a tarp sit on the roof for months instead of getting a proper repair scheduled.
GemSco's role
We inspect, document the damage with photos and give you a written estimate. You can share them with your adjuster. We never promise what an insurer will approve. GemSco is family owned, licensed and insured, with free estimates. Learn more about hail damage roof repair, roof insurance claims or our Little Elm roofing page.
If you are comparing estimates after a storm, line them up item by item. Our article on how to compare roofing estimates after storm damage shows what to look for so the cheapest number does not hide missing work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
It depends on the shingle, its age and the angle and wind. Smaller hail can damage older roofs, while larger hail of 1.75 inches or more can damage most standard shingles. Near Little Elm, 50 reports reached that size from 2015 through 2024, so checking after big storms makes sense.
Should I file a claim for every storm?
Not necessarily. An inspection first tells you if there is real damage. Filing for minor or no damage can still go on your record. If damage is confirmed, you can decide with your agent whether a claim makes sense given your deductible and your policy.
What if the adjuster misses damage?
You can ask for a re-inspection and share your roofer's photos and estimate. If the gap remains, an appeal is possible. Our articles on underpaid and denied roof claims describe how homeowners handle these disputes, including working with a public adjuster.
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