When a meteorologist describes hail, they usually compare the size of the hailstones to various fruits or sports balls so that we can easily visualize what kind of threat we’re dealing with. Pea-sized hail is much like tiny bits of gravel, more an annoyance than a real danger. Once hail reaches the size of a ping-pong ball, it can cause significant damage to roofs and windows. Melon-sized hail is rare, but its effects are horrific.

Springtree Restoration is very familiar with hail damage throughout North Texas. This is a hazard our communities face year after year, and our job is to repair the damage done by hailstorms with expert skill, at affordable prices.

Hail in Texas

Texans like to be #1. Unfortunately, our state has the dubious distinction of being the most hail-prone state in the nation. Hailstorms in San Antonio in 2016 shattered records, causing a massive amount of damage that totaled $1.4 billion. Fort Worth had its own epic hailstorm in 1995, leaving $1.1 billion of damages in its wake.

Because North Texas sits at the bottom of Tornado Alley, it gets more than its fair share of severe storms, tornados, and the hail that accompanies them. Because hail is such an inevitable part of our weather system, it’s important to know the facts about various hail sizes and how much damage each can do.

Hailstone Size and Severity

There are a few different scales for measuring hail stones, but these measurements are among the most common:

• Pea (1/4 inch diameter): This smallest measurement of hailstones is considered non-threatening and does not typically cause damage.
• Marble (1/2 inch}: Potentially damaging, hailstones of this size can punch holes in leaves and flowering plants. It falls at a speed of about 20mph.
• Grape (3/4 inch): Hail of this size or larger is considered significant. It can strip the leaves from plants and damage vegetable gardens.
• Walnut (7/8 inch): This is the threshold for severe hail. It has the potential to break glass, damage paint and wood, leave dents in metal, and punch through tarps and tents.
• Golf Ball (1 inch – 1 ¾ inches): This is destructive hail that breaks roof tiles, collapses tree branches, dent cars, and potentially kills birds and small animals.
• Softball (2 ½ – 3 inches): Hailstones of this size destroy tile and shingle roofs, knock over trees, and can cause serious injury to people caught in the storm.
• Grapefruit (3 ½ – 4 inches): This is where the super hailstorm designation begins. Grapefruit-sized hail can cause fatal injury to people, destroy walls and concrete roofs, and knock over trees.
• Melon (more than 4 inches): This is the largest hail size ever recorded. It falls at a speed of approximately 48mph and destroys most brick and wooden structures. Melon-sized hail can kill anyone who does not seek shelter immediately.

Springtree Restoration: Your Hail Damage Experts in North Texas

If recent storms have left your roof damaged, call us today! We will come out and perform a 100% free roof inspection, followed by a no-obligation written estimate of repair costs.