Hail or Wind Damaged Your Roof? Stop the Water Damage in Arizona
After hail or wind damages a roof, the first job is to keep water out. Check the attic for wet insulation and drips, get the open areas tarped, take photos of every damaged spot, and dry any wet ceilings within 24 to 48 hours. Most roof damage is fixed by a roofer, but the water that got in is a drying and restoration job.
Arizona storms do not need to last long to hurt a roof. A monsoon microburst in the Valley can lift shingles and tiles in minutes. A hail cell over Prescott, Payson or Show Low can crack tiles and punch holes in older shingles. The roof may look fine from the street, then the next storm soaks the attic.
If water is already inside, our storm damage restoration crews and our water removal service Arizona line are available 24/7.
Reading this with water on the floor? Get help first.
Need Help Now? Tap Here(833) 937-0179What should you do in the first 24 hours?
- Stay safe. Do not climb on a wet or damaged roof. Stay clear of downed power lines and sagging ceilings.
- Check the attic with a flashlight. Look for daylight, wet insulation, wet decking and drips on the ceiling below.
- Get the roof tarped. A roofer or restoration crew can tarp open areas the same day. Tarping is a normal part of protecting the home under most policies.
- Catch active drips with buckets and move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way.
- Take photos of the roof from the ground, the attic, the ceilings and any hail on the ground with a coin for scale.
- Start drying. Wet ceilings and insulation need to dry within 24 to 48 hours to avoid mold.
How can you tell if the roof was damaged?
From the ground, look for missing or lifted shingles, cracked or slipped tiles, dents in vents and gutters, and granules piled at downspouts. Inside, look for new ceiling stains, a damp smell in the attic, or light coming through the roof deck. Hail damage on tile roofs is often hidden, because the tile cracks but stays in place.
| Roof type | What storms usually do |
|---|---|
| Concrete or clay tile | Cracked or slipped tiles, torn underlayment below |
| Asphalt shingle | Lifted or missing shingles, hail bruises, lost granules |
| Flat roof (foam or rolled) | Punctures, split seams, ponding water |
| Metal | Dents, loose fasteners, lifted edges |
Why does water damage show up days later?
Tile roofs have an underlayment below the tiles that keeps out most water. A cracked tile may not leak until the next heavy rain finds the torn underlayment. Water also runs along the roof deck before it drips, so the stain often shows up far from the damage. That is why you should check the attic after every big storm, even if nothing leaks that night.
Wet attic insulation loses its value and can hold water against the drywall. Our guide on wet attic insulation explains when it can be dried and when it has to go.
Do gutters matter in Arizona?
Yes. Many Arizona homes have no gutters, or only short runs over doors. In a monsoon, roof runoff pours off the edge and splashes against stucco, pools at the slab and runs under doors. Gutters and downspouts that move water away from the house cut that risk. Before you add or replace gutters after a storm, a gutter installation cost calculator gives a rough price by length and material.
What does water cleanup cost after a storm?
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Water extraction | $500 – $1,500 |
| Drying and dehumidifying (3–5 days) | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Mold removal if it was missed | $1,500 – $4,000 |
Most jobs land between $1,000 and $5,000. Roof repair is a separate bill from the roofer. In the high country, storms often bring both hail and flash floods. Read about disaster restoration Payson homes need after a monsoon, or see our page on show low arizona water damage for the White Mountains.
Dealing with water damage now? Talk to a live person 24/7.
Get Expert Help 24/7(833) 937-0179Frequently asked questions
What should I do first after hail damages my roof?
Stay off the roof, check the attic for wet insulation and drips, get open areas tarped, take photos and start drying any wet ceilings within 24 to 48 hours.
Can a roof leak days after a hail storm?
Yes. On tile roofs, cracked tiles often stay in place and the underlayment below keeps most water out until the next heavy rain finds the damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm roof damage in Arizona?
Most policies cover sudden wind and hail damage and the water that gets in because of it. Wear and tear is usually excluded. Check your policy and photograph everything before repairs.
Who do I call, a roofer or a water damage company?
Both. The roofer fixes the roof. A water damage company dries the attic, insulation, ceilings and walls so mold does not start.
About the author
Noah Miller founded AZ Water Damage Help in Queen Creek to give Arizona homeowners fast, honest water damage help. He writes and updates these guides using public guidance from the EPA, the IICRC, the National Weather Service and Arizona state agencies. More about Noah.
Sources
- National Weather Service Phoenix
- National Weather Service Flagstaff
- IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)