Texas storm season brings hail, straight-line wind, tornadoes and downpours, sometimes all in one afternoon. You cannot stop a storm, but you can make sure your roof is in good shape when it arrives and that you are ready if it gets damaged.

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1. Get the roof inspected before spring

Small weaknesses become big failures in a storm. A loose shingle becomes a missing one, and a cracked vent boot becomes a leak that runs for days. An inspection in late winter or early spring finds these while they are cheap to fix.

A roofer should check for:

Loose, cracked or lifted shingles

Soft spots in the decking

Flashing pulling away from chimneys and walls

Cracked rubber boots around plumbing vents

Early signs of moisture or rot in the attic

We suggest two inspections a year: one before storm season and one in the fall.

2. Clear gutters and debris

Clogged gutters overflow in heavy rain, pushing water under shingles and dumping it against the foundation. Clean them out and make sure downspouts carry water away from the house.

Clear leaves and branches out of roof valleys too. Debris holds water against the shingles and blocks it from draining.

3. Secure anything the wind can throw

In a strong storm, anything loose can become a projectile: patio furniture, trampolines, grills, trash cans, even a basketball goal. Tie them down or move them inside when storms are forecast.

Look up as well. Dead limbs and branches hanging over the roof are the most common cause of storm punctures. Have them trimmed before the season starts.

4. Review your insurance policy

Read your declarations page before you need it:

Wind and hail deductible. Many Texas policies use a percentage of the home's insured value, like 1 or 2 percent, instead of a flat dollar amount. Know what yours works out to.

Replacement cost or actual cash value. Replacement-cost coverage pays what it costs to replace the roof, with some held back until the work is done. Actual-cash-value coverage pays what the old roof was worth, which can be much less.

Reporting deadlines. Know how long you have to report storm damage.

Take dated photos of your roof and exterior now. They make it easier to show what a storm changed.

5. Plan upgrades for your next roof

If your roof is getting older, plan the replacement with storms in mind:

Class 4 impact-resistant shingles hold up much better to hail, and many Texas insurers give a premium discount for them.

Better edge details, like proper starter strips and drip edge, help shingles resist wind lifting at the edges.

Leak barrier in valleys and around penetrations protects the spots where wind-driven rain gets in first.

If a storm does hit

Stay off the roof, photograph the damage from the ground, tarp any openings and call a roofer for an inspection before you file a claim. We are in Justin and work storms across North Texas every spring. Call (855) 741-ROOF.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Roof for Texas Storm Season