From The Arizona Roof Co Team.

When hail hits a single home, one homeowner deals with one roof. When it hits an HOA, apartment community or commercial property, a manager or board may be dealing with dozens of roofs, residents or tenants reporting leaks, and owners asking what happens next. The October 20 and 21, 2026 storms dropped hail up to 2 inches across in parts of Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix and Glendale. If your properties were in that path, here is how to document roof damage across multiple buildings in a way that keeps your options open and your board informed.

Need roofs checked across a community or portfolio? We inspect HOA, multifamily and commercial roofs and document each building with dated photos and a written report. Call 480-622-4893 or request an inspection online.

Step 1: Stop Active Leaks First

Before anything else, deal with water coming in. Arrange temporary repairs where leaks are active, and keep every receipt and a short note of what was done, where and when. Most insurance policies expect property owners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. If you need help right away, see our emergency roof repair page.

Step 2: Start a Simple Damage Log

A single log, kept by the manager, makes everything after it easier. For each report, record:

  • Building and unit number, or suite
  • Date the problem was reported and by whom
  • What was seen: ceiling stain, active drip, debris, dented equipment
  • Photos, with the date
  • Any temporary repair and its cost

Ask residents and tenants to report new stains or leaks quickly, even weeks after the storm. Hail damage often does not leak until the next heavy rain. Our post on why roof leaks show up weeks after a storm explains why.

Step 3: Get Every Roof Inspected and Documented

Do not rely on a few sample roofs. Hail size can change from one block to the next, so damage can vary from building to building on the same property. A useful post-storm inspection includes:

  • Each building documented separately, with a roof map so findings are easy to locate
  • Dated photos of hail damage on tile, shingles, foam coatings or membranes, plus rooftop AC units, skylights, vents and flashing
  • Pre-existing conditions noted honestly, so storm damage is clearly separated from age and wear
  • A written report the manager can share with the board, owners and insurance agent
  • A written estimate, only for buildings that need repairs

For flat and foam roofs in particular, read what the October 2026 hail means for flat roofs.

Step 4: Understand Who Is Responsible for What

In an HOA, responsibility for roofs depends on your governing documents and the association’s insurance policy. Some associations insure and maintain all roofs. In others, owners are responsible for their own roofs. Your CC&Rs, your management agreement and your insurance agent are the right sources on this. For commercial properties, your leases and the owner’s policy decide who handles roof repairs and claims. Sorting this out early prevents confusion later.

Step 5: Talk With Your Insurance Agent

With the damage log and inspection reports in hand, the board or owner can talk with the insurance agent about whether to file and how the policy handles multiple buildings and deductibles. Your policy sets the deadline for reporting damage, so check it or ask your agent early. For more on timing, read how long you have to file a roof hail claim in Arizona.

Step 6: Prepare for Adjuster Visits

On a multi-building property, the insurance company may send one or more adjusters. To make the visits go smoothly:

  • Have roof access ready: keys, roof hatches and ladders where needed
  • Share the roof map and damage log with the adjuster
  • Plan the route so every building on the list gets seen
  • Let residents or tenants know when people will be on the roofs

With your permission, and at no charge, we can walk the roofs with your adjuster, show them what we documented and answer questions about the roofing details. Under Arizona’s SB 1206, a roofer cannot negotiate your claim, act as your adjuster or promise coverage. You stay in charge of your claim. We handle the roofing side. Read what happens during a roof insurance inspection for more, or learn how we help with roof insurance claims.

Step 7: Keep the Board and Owners Informed

Clear updates prevent rumors and pressure. A short update after inspections, after adjuster visits and when decisions are made goes a long way. Include what was found, what is being repaired now, and what is still being decided. Dated photos from the inspection reports make these updates easy to understand.

Watch Out for Storm Chasers

After big storms, out-of-town contractors often approach residents and tenants directly. Remind your community that roof decisions go through the manager or board, and that any contractor should be checked with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Anyone offering to waive a deductible or promising insurance will pay is a red flag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to inspect every building, or just the ones with leaks?
Every building. Hail damage often does not leak right away, and damage can vary across a property. Documenting every roof now avoids gaps later.

Can one report cover the whole property?
Yes. We organize findings by building in one report, with a roof map, so the board and insurance agent can see everything in one place.

Will you talk to our insurance company for us?
We do not negotiate claims. With your permission, and at no charge, we can walk the roofs with your adjuster and answer questions about what we documented. Your insurance company decides the claim.

How quickly can you inspect multiple buildings?
It depends on the size of the property. We usually respond within a couple of hours and will give you an inspection schedule when we talk.

Related Reading

Get Your Properties Documented

We will inspect every roof, document each building and give you a written report you can share with your board, owners and insurance agent. Rated 4.9 on Google, GAF Certified, licensed, bonded and insured (ROC #339920), with a local office in Gilbert. See our commercial, HOA and property manager roofing services.

Call or text 480-622-4893 or request an inspection online.

Posted in Roofing, Storm Damage