If your Katy roof is leaking, missing shingles, or took a hit in a storm, the right move is to protect the inside of the house, photograph what you can see from the ground, and have a roofer inspect it before you approve any repair. Small fixes are usually cheaper than waiting. Hidden water damage is not. Holladay Family Roofing serves Houston, Pearland and Friendswood. If you live in Katy, The Woodlands or anywhere else outside those areas, call us first to confirm availability. The rest of this guide applies wherever you are in the Houston region.
TL;DR
- Stains on a ceiling, daylight in the attic, missing or lifted shingles and active drips need a professional look soon. Do not climb the roof yourself.
- Houston-area roof repairs are commonly quoted between $3.50 and $12 per square foot, and your own estimate depends on the damage, the roof type and what is hidden underneath.
- After a storm, document everything, limit work to emergency protection until your insurer inspects, and keep every written record.
- Before you sign, get a written scope, proof of insurance, references and the warranty terms in writing.
- Holladay Family Roofing offers a free roof inspection and free estimates. An estimate request is not a booking or a price quote.
Table of Contents
- Signs your roof needs repair now
- Hail and wind damage: repair or replace?
- What roof repair costs in the Houston area
- Handling a storm damage insurance claim in Texas
- Texas rules, permits and code requirements
- How to vet a roofer before you sign
- Working with Holladay Family Roofing
- A simple plan for the next 72 hours
- FAQ
- Ready for a clear answer on your roof?
- Sources
Signs your roof needs repair now
Some damage can wait a week for a scheduled visit. Some cannot. Use this as a sorting guide from the ground and from inside the house.
Call a roofer promptly if you see:
- Water stains, drips or damp insulation after rain
- Shingles that are missing, curled, loose or torn
- Exposed roof deck or an opening where a tree limb landed
- Metal roof panels with loose screws, rust or dents
- Tile that is cracked or has slipped out of place
- Granules collecting in gutters or at downspouts
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety lists what a proper inspection looks for by roof type: curling, looseness and tears on asphalt shingles, cracked or poorly attached tile, and loose screws, worn paint, rust or dents on metal. Those are the same details a good roofer will check on your home.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recommends checking for missing or damaged shingles after storms, trimming nearby tree limbs, cleaning gutters and having the roof inspected periodically. In the Gulf Coast climate, that routine is cheap compared with an interior water-damage repair.
What counts as an emergency
Treat it as urgent when water is entering the house, when a section of roof is open to the weather, or when a tree has hit the structure. In that case:
- Move belongings and furniture away from the leak and set out buckets.
- Take photos and video of the damage inside and, from the ground, outside.
- Call a roofer about temporary protection such as a tarp. ABC13 reported that homeowners should arrange an emergency tarp promptly when the roof is open.
- Call your insurance company to report the loss.
What not to do
Stay off a damaged roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) says homeowners should not attempt ordinary storm-roof repairs except in extreme situations, and should not use unsafe ladders or climb on damaged structures. Two more rules for your safety:
- If a ceiling is sagging or bulging with water, do not poke or puncture it. Keep people out of the room and call a professional.
- If water is near light fixtures, outlets, or an attic with wiring, stay away from it and call an electrician or your utility before anyone works nearby.
Hail and wind damage: repair or replace?
Not every hailstorm means a new roof. NRCA notes that hail damage to asphalt shingles can show up as granule loss, edge material removal, penetration, splitting and fracture. It adds that severe damage may require replacing shingles, while much hail damage is cosmetic.
That is why a written inspection matters more than a sales pitch. A useful repair-versus-replace recommendation should tell you:
- How many areas are damaged and how large they are
- The age and condition of the rest of the roof
- Whether the deck underneath is sound
- What a repair would cost compared with a full replacement
A localized repair makes sense when damage is limited and the rest of the roof is in good shape. When damage is widespread, or the roof is near the end of its life, replacement can be the better value. You can read about our approach on the roof replacement page, and about repairs on our roof repair page.
How repairs differ by roof type
| Roof type | Common repair issues | Typical repair work |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Missing, curled or torn shingles, exposed nails, flashing leaks | Replace damaged shingles, reseal flashing, replace underlayment if wet |
| Metal | Loose screws, worn washers, rust, dents, failed sealant | Replace fasteners and washers, repair or replace panels, reseal seams |
| Tile | Cracked or slipped tile, failed attachment | Replace broken tile, re-secure loose pieces |
| Low-slope commercial | Ponding water, blisters, cracks, failed seams | Patch or reseal membrane, clear drainage, consider a coating |
For flat and low-slope commercial roofs, ICLR advises checking for standing water, brittle membrane, blisters, cracks, punctures, failed seams and backed-out fasteners, and keeping drainage clear and properly sloped. If a commercial roof is aging but still structurally sound, a roof coating may be worth discussing with your contractor as part of a repair plan.
What roof repair costs in the Houston area
A repair price depends on the damage, not just the roof size. Angi's Houston data puts roof repairs at between $3.50 and $12 per square foot, with the type of damage and the area to be repaired as the two biggest cost drivers. That is a general range from a national cost publisher. It is not a Holladay Family Roofing price, and it is not a quote for your roof.
What moves your number up or down:
- Size of the repair area. Replacing a few shingles is a different job from repairing a valley or a whole slope.
- Hidden damage. Wet insulation or rotted decking is found only once the old material comes off. TDI advises inspecting the roof deck and replacing damaged decking before new roof covering goes on.
- Roof type. Angi's Houston figures say asphalt shingle roofs cost about half as much as metal roofs to repair.
- Access and pitch. Steep or multi-story roofs take more time and safety equipment.
- Permits and code. Some areas require repairs to meet building code, covered below.
Holladay Family Roofing does not publish repair prices, because a fair number comes from looking at the roof. We offer free estimates, and a written estimate for your property is the only figure you should plan around.
Ways to keep repair costs down
- Fix small problems early. A few lifted shingles cost less than a leak that has soaked insulation and drywall.
- Clean gutters and trim limbs, as TDI recommends.
- Get the scope in writing so you can compare bids on the same work.
- Ask your roofer to separate emergency protection from permanent repair so you can see each cost.
- Have the roof looked at on a regular schedule, especially after major storms.
Handling a storm damage insurance claim in Texas
If a covered event such as hail, wind or a fallen tree caused the damage, your homeowner's policy may help pay for repairs. Coverage depends on your policy and your insurer's decision, and no roofer can guarantee a claim outcome.
The Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) recommends four steps after a storm:
- Get an inspection and written estimate from your insurer.
- Document the damage and keep records of all communications.
- Limit work before the inspection to emergency repairs.
- Confirm completed work with photos or video.
TDI explains several things worth knowing before you file. Roof coverage may be replacement cost or actual cash value, older or poorly maintained roofs may receive less coverage or be excluded, and wind and hail deductibles can differ from your standard deductible. TDI also says insurers do not pay for a new roof just because the old one is worn out. The roof must have a covered loss.
Claim timing
United Policyholders' Texas guide says that after written notice and the information the insurer needs, Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 generally gives the insurer 15 business days to accept or reject a claim and five business days to pay once approved. There are statutory exceptions, and deadlines can extend after a catastrophe. Check the current statute or call TDI if timing is a concern.
If the adjuster and roofer disagree
It happens. NRCA says a post-hail assessment determines whether the roof is a total loss and estimates roof size and shingle quantity, and homeowners can request a reinspection when the contractor's findings differ from the adjuster's. Holladay Family Roofing helps homeowners work through the claims process, including documenting damage and explaining the roofing scope. Your insurer makes the coverage decision.
Texas rules, permits and code requirements
Repair rules vary by location. TDI says that in designated windstorm areas, repairs may need to meet the International Building Code or International Residential Code. It tells owners to contact the local building official about requirements, and notes that compliant, inspected work can receive Form WPI-8. Most inland Houston-area homes are outside those designated areas, but the building official for your city or county can tell you.
Permits are another local question. The City of Bellaire, for example, says a homeowner can obtain a homeowner building permit to repair a roof when the property is a Harris County homestead. Katy sits across Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties, and Pearland across Brazoria and Harris, so rules differ. Ask your contractor who pulls permits and confirm with your city or county office.
How to vet a roofer before you sign
Storms bring out out-of-town crews and high-pressure sales. TDI advises you verify the contractor's name, address, phone number and references, confirm insurance or a bond, get at least three written bids, and keep signed agreements and warranty terms.
NRCA describes a professional contractor as one with a permanent business location, roof-system knowledge, proof of insurance, a safety program, a written proposal, warranties and in-state references. It also lists red flags: all references out of state, demands for cash, money requested before materials arrive, or unusually cheap work.
ABC13 adds practical checks: the Better Business Bureau, references and online reviews, and a company that uses photos and software to scope damage.
A checklist for the written proposal
- Exact location and size of the repair
- Materials and brands
- Whether decking repair is included, and how extra decking is priced
- Who handles permits, cleanup and debris
- Payment schedule
- Start and completion timing
- Warranty terms for workmanship and materials, in writing
On warranties: Holladay Family Roofing offers a ten-year no-leak warranty. Coverage depends on the job, so we point you to the written, project-specific warranty terms for your repair rather than a blanket promise. Whoever you hire, read those terms before you sign.
Working with Holladay Family Roofing
Holladay Family Roofing has served Houston-area homeowners and commercial property owners for over 20 years, with a family-first approach. We repair and replace asphalt shingle, metal and tile roofs, and we apply roof coatings. Our free roof inspection is a good first step if you are not sure whether you need a repair or something bigger.
We serve Houston, Pearland and Friendswood. Homeowners in Katy, The Woodlands and other nearby communities should contact us to confirm whether we can take on the job. If we can, we will walk you through the findings and give you a written estimate, so you can decide with the facts in front of you. For specific materials, see our pages on asphalt shingle roofing and metal roofing. You can also start at our home page.
A simple plan for the next 72 hours
- Protect the interior and photograph the damage from inside and from the ground.
- Report storm damage to your insurer and ask about the inspection process.
- Arrange temporary protection only if the roof is open to weather.
- Schedule a roof inspection and get the repair scope in writing.
- Compare written bids, check references and insurance, and read the warranty before signing.
FAQ
Is it worth repairing a roof or should I replace it?
Repair usually makes sense when damage is limited and the rest of the roof is sound. Replacement is worth considering when damage is widespread or the roof is near the end of its life. A written inspection comparing both options is the best way to decide.
Does homeowner's insurance pay for roof repair in Texas?
It can when a covered event like hail, wind or a fallen tree caused the damage. TDI says insurers do not pay for a roof just because it is old or worn. Your policy's deductible and coverage type, replacement cost or actual cash value, affect the outcome.
Can I fix a leak myself?
NRCA advises homeowners against storm-roof repairs except in extreme situations, and a wet or damaged roof is dangerous to walk on. Contain the water inside, stay clear of electrical hazards, and have a professional handle the roof.
Does Holladay Family Roofing work in Katy?
Our verified service areas are Houston, Pearland and Friendswood. If your home is in Katy or elsewhere, call (832) 883-3930 or send a request so we can confirm whether we can serve your address.
How much does a roof repair cost?
Angi's Houston data shows a general range of $3.50 to $12 per square foot, depending on the damage and roof type. Your actual cost comes only from a written, project-specific estimate.
Ready for a clear answer on your roof?
Request a free estimate or call (832) 883-3930. An estimate request is not a booking or a price quote. We will review your roof and tell you what we find.
Sources
- TDI: Insurance and your roof
- TDI: Making repairs after a storm
- OPIC: 4 tips for making roof repairs after a storm
- NRCA: Roof repair after a hailstorm
- ICLR: How to inspect and maintain your commercial roof
- United Policyholders: Your insurance legal rights as a property owner in Texas
- City of Bellaire: Homeowner building permit FAQ
- ABC13: Houston homeowners and roof contractors
- Angi: Roof repair cost in Houston