From The Arizona Roof Co Team.

Most roofs in the Phoenix Valley are concrete or clay tile, and tile has a reputation for being tough. It is. But the October 20 and 21, 2026 storms dropped hail up to 2 inches across in parts of Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix and Glendale, and hail that size can crack tile. The hard part is that tile damage is easy to miss from the ground, and the most common question we get is about what is under the tile. Here is what hail damage on a tile roof looks like, and an honest answer about underlayment.

Not sure what you are looking at? We inspect tile roofs for free and give you dated photos and a written report. Call 480-622-4893 or request an inspection online.

What Hail Damage Looks Like on Concrete Tile

Concrete tile is the most common roof on Valley homes built since the 1980s. It is heavy and thick, so it usually takes a large hailstone to break it. When it does fail, we tend to see:

  • Cracks across the face of the tile. Some run all the way through. Others are hairline cracks you can only see up close.
  • Broken corners and edges. The exposed lower edge of each tile takes the hardest hits.
  • Chips and impact marks. Hail can knock off the colored surface and leave lighter spots of bare concrete.
  • Loose pieces in gutters and on the ground. Small chunks of tile near downspouts or in the yard are a good sign that something broke up top.

What Hail Damage Looks Like on Clay Tile

Clay tile, the barrel style common on Spanish and Santa Barbara style homes, is thinner and more brittle than concrete. It can break with smaller hail. Clay tends to crack cleanly or shatter, so damage is often easier to see once someone is on the roof. Clay is also harder to match, especially on older homes, so it helps to find out early whether replacement tile is available.

Damage That Is Not From Hail

Not every cracked tile on a roof came from the storm. A fair inspection separates storm damage from damage that was already there, because your insurance company will do the same. Common causes we see that are not hail:

  • Foot traffic from past roof work, solar installs, holiday lights or AC service
  • Tile that slipped over the years because nails or fasteners failed
  • Old repairs with mismatched or mortared tile
  • Normal weathering on tile that is decades old

We would rather tell you that a crack is old than have you file a claim for damage that will not hold up.

Can Hail Damage Underlayment Without Breaking the Tile?

Usually, no. Tile is not the waterproof layer on your roof. The underlayment beneath it is. But the tile is what takes the hit. If a tile stays whole and in place, it protects the underlayment under it, and hail does not reach that layer directly.

Where underlayment does get hurt after a storm:

  • Under broken or missing tile. Once a tile cracks or falls out, the underlayment beneath it is exposed to sun and rain. Arizona sun breaks down exposed underlayment fast.
  • Under tile that shifted. Wind with the storm can lift and slide tiles, leaving gaps where water gets in.
  • When debris collects in valleys. Hail, leaves and broken tile can block valleys and send water sideways under the tile.

There is a second part to this answer that matters for your claim. Many Valley homes have underlayment that is 20 or more years old and was already near the end of its life before the storm. Old underlayment that is brittle or torn is usually wear and tear, not storm damage, and insurance policies generally do not cover wear and tear. A good inspection tells you which is which. If your underlayment is aging, you will want to know that whether or not you file a claim. Our post on why roof leaks show up weeks after a storm explains how water moves under tile.

Why You Should Not Walk Your Own Tile Roof

Tile can crack under a person’s weight, especially if you step in the wrong spot. A homeowner checking for hail damage can easily cause new damage, and that new damage will not be covered. It is also a real fall risk. Look from the ground, from a window or with binoculars, and leave the roof to a licensed roofer who knows where to step.

What to Look for From the Ground

  • Pieces of tile in gutters, on the patio or in the yard
  • Tiles that look out of line, lifted or missing
  • Lighter colored spots where the surface was knocked off
  • Dented gutters, downspouts, AC fins or patio covers, which tell you hail was big enough to matter
  • New stains on ceilings or walls, even weeks after the storm

Take dated photos of anything you find. For a wider look at what we are seeing across the Valley, read Hail Damage on Phoenix Roofs: What We’re Finding After the October 20 and 21 Storms.

What Our Free Tile Roof Inspection Includes

  • A close-up check of your tile for cracks, breaks, impact marks and slipped pieces
  • A look at the underlayment wherever tile is broken or displaced
  • A check of valleys, flashing, vents and ridges
  • Dated photos of everything we find, including problems that were there before the storm
  • A written report, and a written estimate only if repairs are needed

If you decide to file a claim, our in-house team can help you put together the roofing documentation your insurer asks for. With your permission, and at no charge, we can walk the roof with your adjuster. You stay in charge of your claim. We handle the roofing side. Learn more about how we help with roof insurance claims, or see our tile roofing services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size hail can crack concrete roof tile?
It depends on the tile’s age, thickness and how the hail hits. Small hail rarely breaks concrete tile. The National Weather Service calls hail severe once it reaches 1 inch, about the size of a quarter, and the October storms produced reports of 1 to 2 inch hail. That range can crack tile, especially older tile.

Can my tile look fine and still be damaged?
Yes. Hairline cracks and broken edges are often invisible from the ground. They may not leak until the next heavy rain.

Can you replace a few tiles or do I need a new roof?
Most hail damage on tile roofs can be repaired by replacing the broken tiles. A larger repair or replacement makes sense when damage is widespread or the underlayment underneath is failing. We will show you the photos and explain both options in writing.

Will you match my existing tile?
We match as closely as we can. Some older profiles and colors are discontinued, and we will tell you up front if a close match is hard to find.

Related Reading

Get Your Tile Roof Checked

We will check your tile up close and give you dated photos and a written report, even if the answer is that your roof came through fine. We usually respond within a couple of hours. Rated 4.9 on Google, GAF Certified, licensed, bonded and insured (ROC #339920), and every job is backed by our workmanship guarantee.

Call or text 480-622-4893 or schedule your free inspection online.

Posted in Storm Damage