The hail that hit the Valley on Tuesday night, October 20, and again on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, did more roof damage than many Phoenix neighborhoods have seen in years. Since then, our crews have been on roofs from the I-17 and Peoria area near Metrocenter, up through North Phoenix and Desert Ridge, and down in Chandler around Arizona Avenue and Elliot Road.

Here is what we are actually finding up there, why some of it is hard to spot from the ground, and what we recommend you do next if your home was in the path of these storms.

What Hit Phoenix on October 20 and 21

This was not one storm. It was two, back to back, and they hit different parts of the Valley.

  • Tuesday night, October 20: a severe storm moved through Chandler, Tempe and Mesa with hail over an inch across and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
  • Wednesday afternoon, October 21: a second storm hit North Phoenix and Glendale. The National Weather Service logged 18 hail reports around Phoenix that day, with hail up to 2 inches and 60 mph gusts. Neighbors near 19th Avenue and Peoria reported golf ball to baseball sized hail, and the Metrocenter area took a beating.

The combination matters. Hail cracks and breaks roofing materials, and strong wind then lifts, shifts and tears off whatever was weakened. That is exactly the pattern we are seeing on Phoenix roofs this week.

What We Are Finding on Phoenix Roofs Right Now

Broken and cracked roof tile

Concrete tile is tough against sun and heat, but large hail can crack it, chip the edges or break it clean through. Some breaks are obvious. Others are hairline cracks you will only see standing on the roof. Either way, a broken tile is no longer shedding water the way it should.

Tile blown off or slipped out of place

On a lot of the tile roofs we have walked, the wind did as much damage as the hail. We are finding tiles that slid out of their rows, tiles blown completely off, and ridge and hip caps that were knocked loose. When tile moves, the underlayment beneath it is suddenly exposed to sun and water.

Missing and damaged shingles

On shingle roofs, we are seeing shingles torn off by the wind, bruises and dark spots where hail knocked off the protective granules, and creased shingles that were lifted and folded back. Granules piling up at the bottom of your downspouts are a common sign.

Leaks and interior damage

This is the part homeowners notice first. We are being called out to homes with water stains on ceilings, drips in closets and bedrooms, and wet insulation in the attic. In several homes, the leak was the first clue that anything had happened on the roof at all.

Where We Are Seeing the Most Damage

We are inspecting roofs all over the Valley, but these areas have kept us the busiest since the storms:

  • The I-17 and Peoria Avenue area around Metrocenter
  • North Phoenix, including the Desert Ridge area
  • Chandler, especially around Arizona Avenue and Elliot Road
  • Glendale, Tempe and Mesa neighborhoods along the storm paths

If your neighbors have dented cars, cracked windows or a roofing crew in their driveway, it is worth having your roof checked too, even if you have not noticed a leak yet.

Why a Roof That Looks Fine From the Street Can Still Be Damaged

Most hail damage on a Phoenix roof is not visible from the yard. A cracked tile can sit in place looking perfectly normal while water runs under it every time it rains. Underlayment damage is completely hidden. And on a tile roof, the underlayment is the layer that actually keeps water out of your home.

That is also why leaks often show up weeks after a storm. Water finds its way in slowly, soaks into the decking and insulation, and only reaches your ceiling later. We wrote more about that in why roof leaks show up weeks after a Phoenix storm.

What to Do in the Next Few Days

  • Stay off the roof. Cracked tile breaks easily under your weight, and a damaged roof is dangerous to walk. Let a professional do it.
  • Take photos from the ground. Get pictures of any tile or shingles in the yard, dents on your AC unit, gutters or vents, and any damage to your car or windows.
  • Check inside. Look at ceilings, closets and the attic for stains, drips or wet insulation.
  • Protect your home from more damage. If water is coming in, a temporary tarp or quick repair to stop the leak is the right move. Keep receipts.
  • Check your homeowners policy. Most policies require prompt notice of a loss, so do not sit on it.
  • Get a professional inspection. You will know exactly what you are dealing with before you decide anything.

What Happens When We Inspect Your Roof

We are getting out to most homes within a day or so of the call. Here is what to expect:

  • Justin or Damon walks your roof and inspects every part of it: field tile or shingles, ridge caps, flashing, vents, valleys and gutters.
  • We photograph what we find and give you a written report.
  • If there is damage, we get you a repair estimate quickly.
  • Laura and Tasha in our office help you with the estimate and walk you through the insurance process if you decide to file a claim.
  • If your roof is fine and does not need work, we tell you that, too.

That last point matters to us. After a storm like this, homeowners are getting a lot of knocks on the door and a lot of pressure. We are a local Arizona roofing company, and our job is to give you a straight answer, not a sales pitch.

If your roof does need work, financing is available, and you can learn more on our financing page.

Have a flat or foam roof? Flat roofs on homes and commercial buildings take hail differently. Read Hail Damage on Flat Roofs in Phoenix for what to check after the October storms.

Get Your Phoenix Roof Checked After the Hail

If your home was anywhere near the October 20 and 21 storms, do not wait for a leak to tell you something is wrong. Request a free roof inspection or call us at 480-622-4893. We will get out to you quickly, show you exactly what we find, and tell you honestly what your roof needs.

Posted in Roof Repair, Storm Damage