How Do You Get Your Roof Ready for Hurricane Season in Houston?

Getting your roof ready for hurricane season in Houston comes down to a few things done in the off-season: have a roofer inspect it, fix lifted shingles and worn flashing, clear the gutters and the limbs over the roof, photograph everything, and read the wind deductible on your insurance policy. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, per the National Hurricane Center, so the window between December and April is when this work is easiest to schedule and finish.

Peter worked in construction and mortgage lending before he got into real estate, so he looks at a roof differently than most agents do. Here is the checklist we hand clients.

The Off-Season Roof Checklist

1. Book a roofer’s inspection. A ground-level look misses most of it. A roofer on the roof checks for lifted or creased shingles, missing granules, exposed nail heads, and loose flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights.
2. Fix the small stuff now. A lifted shingle in March is a cheap repair. In August, during a storm, it is the edge where wind gets under the rest of the row.
3. Clean gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters back water up under the roof edge during a heavy rain band.
4. Trim limbs that hang over the roof. Live oaks and pines are everywhere around Houston, and a big limb in the wind is the most expensive thing that can hit a roof.
5. Check the attic. On a sunny day, look for daylight through the deck and for water stains on the rafters or insulation.
6. Photograph everything. Roof slopes, gutters, the attic, with the date on the file. Store the photos somewhere other than the house.
7. Line up a tarp and a contact. Know which roofer you will call after a storm, before everyone in town is calling the same ones.

If You Are Replacing the Roof

A new roof is the time to build in wind resistance. The Texas Department of Insurance’s guidance on building for windstorms lists the main pieces: shingles tested to ASTM D3161 with a wind rating of 110 mph or higher, Class 4 impact-rated roofing under UL 2218 where flying debris is likely, a secondary water barrier with self-adhering tape over the deck seams, and properly nailed decking. TDI also says a wind-resistant home ties every connection together, roof to wall included, with hurricane clips.

Hurricane clips are usually easiest to add when the deck is already off. Ask the roofer to price it while the roof is open.

If the home sits in one of TDI’s designated catastrophe areas, which covers the first-tier coastal counties and parts of Harris County near Galveston Bay, the new roof also needs a windstorm Certificate of Compliance to keep the home eligible for TWIA coverage. Check the address on TDI’s windstorm inspection page before the roofer starts, not after. And ask your insurer whether it gives a discount for impact-rated shingles.

Read the Policy Before the Storm

Most people learn how their wind deductible works after a storm. Learn it now.

Many Texas homeowners policies set the wind and hail deductible as a percentage of the dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount. At 2 percent on $400,000 of coverage, the first $8,000 of a wind claim is yours. Look on your declarations page for that percentage.

Then look for anything about the roof’s age. Some policies pay the depreciated value of an older roof instead of the cost to replace it, either through an actual cash value endorsement or a roof payment schedule. On an older roof that can be the difference between a new roof and a partial check. If you do not understand what your policy says, call your agent and ask them to walk you through it. Our piece on Houston home insurance premiums in 2026 covers what is pushing those costs.

Buying or Selling a Home With an Older Roof

If you are buying, the roof’s age affects what it costs to insure the house, not just whether it leaks. Ask for the roof’s age and any repair records during your option period, and get an insurance quote on the address before the option period ends.

If you are selling, a roof with recent repair receipts and a clean inspection is one fewer thing for a buyer to negotiate over. The rest of our storm checklist is in the Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

The Move Live Love TX Team™ is a husband-and-wife real estate team with CB&A, Realtors, serving Houston and the surrounding areas, from Galveston to Conroe.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I get my roof inspected for hurricane season in Houston?

Schedule a roof inspection between December and April, after one Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30 and well before the next starts on June 1. Roofers are easier to book then, and any repairs are finished before storm season.

What roof upgrades help a Houston home handle hurricane winds?

The Texas Department of Insurance points to wind-rated shingles tested to ASTM D3161 at 110 mph or higher, a sealed secondary water barrier over the roof deck, and hurricane clips that tie the roof to the walls. Class 4 impact-rated shingles add hail and debris resistance.

What is a wind and hail deductible on a Texas homeowners policy?

It is the share of a wind or hail claim you pay before the insurer pays, and many Texas policies set it as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. At 2 percent on $400,000 of coverage, you would pay the first $8,000.

Do I need a windstorm certificate for a new roof near Houston?

If the home is in a Texas Department of Insurance designated catastrophe area, such as the first-tier coastal counties and parts of Harris County near Galveston Bay, a new roof needs a windstorm Certificate of Compliance to keep the home eligible for TWIA coverage.

Should I photograph my roof before hurricane season?

Yes. Date-stamped photos of the roof, gutters and attic from before a storm give your insurer a clear record of the roof's condition, which helps separate new storm damage from old wear when you file a claim.