Hail Damage to Commercial Roofs in Texas Requires More Than a Surface Inspection

Texas experiences frequent hail events that impact commercial roofing systems of all sizes. While some hail damage is immediately visible, many of the most serious performance issues develop beneath the surface and go undetected at the time of the storm. These hidden conditions often determine whether a roof can be safely monitored, repaired, or requires full replacement.

How Hail Impacts Commercial Roofing Systems

Hail strikes can affect roofing systems in ways that are not always obvious during a standard visual inspection. Damage severity depends on hail size, density, and impact location, often resulting in uneven conditions across a single roof.

Common outcomes of hail events include:

• Surface scarring, bruising, or punctures in roof membranes
• Compromised or crushed insulation beneath the membrane
• Moisture intrusion without immediate leaks
• Isolated damage that masks broader system-wide issues

Even when the roof appears intact, performance may already be compromised.

The Risk of Micro Fracturing in Single-Ply Membranes

One of the most challenging forms of hail damage to diagnose is micro fracturing in single-ply membranes such as TPO and PVC. These failures frequently present minimal surface evidence but cause significant structural weakening.

Key characteristics of micro fracturing include:

• Minor visible impact marks on the top surface
• Fracturing or blowout on the underside of the membrane
• No immediate water infiltration
• Gradual degradation that leads to premature roof failure

Because this damage often does not cause immediate leaks, it is commonly overlooked or underestimated.

Why Timing and Documentation Matter After a Hail Event

When hail damage is not properly identified and documented at the time of the storm, long-term consequences follow. Roofs that fail years later are often difficult to tie back to the original hail event, creating challenges for owners and insurers alike.

Without early documentation:

• Storm-related damage becomes harder to prove
• Insurance claims may be disputed or denied
• Failures are often misclassified as maintenance issues
• Capital planning decisions are made with incomplete data

Early evaluation plays a critical role in protecting roof assets.

Limitations of Visual Inspections Alone

Visual inspections and selective test cuts provide useful information, but they do not scale well across large commercial roofs or portfolios. These methods cannot reliably confirm conditions beneath the membrane across the full roof area.

Limitations include:

• Inability to detect trapped moisture consistently
• Limited visibility into insulation condition
• Small sampling areas that may miss broader damage
• Increased uncertainty when making repair or replacement decisions

This leaves owners exposed to risk long after the storm has passed.

How RAM Companies Helps Reduce Hail-Related Roof Risk

RAM Companies supports post-hail evaluations by using aerial infrared thermography to assess roof conditions beyond the surface. This approach aligns with real-world claim evaluation practices used by experienced roofing professionals like Bill Cogan.

Aerial infrared helps:

• Identify moisture intrusion beneath the membrane
• Confirm insulation damage caused by hail impacts
• Evaluate entire roof systems efficiently
• Support informed decisions to monitor, repair, or replace

This data-driven approach reduces uncertainty and improves confidence in next steps.

Why Early Infrared Evaluation Matters in Texas

Hail is a recurring risk in Texas, not a one-time event. Capturing roof condition data shortly after a storm establishes a defensible baseline that supports long-term asset management.

Early infrared documentation helps:

• Reduce long-term roof failure risk
• Support insurance and claim discussions
• Avoid unexpected replacement costs years later
• Improve capital planning accuracy

Key Takeaway

Hail damage to commercial roofs is not always visible and not always immediate. The most costly failures often begin with hidden membrane and insulation damage that goes undetected. Evaluating roofs beyond the surface after a hail event helps owners protect their assets, reduce risk, and make decisions backed by reliable data