Storm damage roof repair in Tucson.

When storm damage happens in Tucson

The National Weather Service counts Arizona's monsoon season as June 15 through September 30. In practice, the big Tucson storms usually start in July and run through August, with strong outflow winds, microbursts, sideways rain, blowing dust and sometimes hail. A single storm can drop tiles, peel shingles and throw branches onto roofs across a whole neighborhood.

Monsoon isn't the only time it happens. Winter storms bring steady rain that finds every weak spot an old roof has, and the leaks that start in January often trace back to damage the roof took the summer before.

The first 24 hours

What you do on day one protects your house and makes any insurance claim easier. Safety first: stay off the roof, stay away from downed power lines, and don't climb into an attic with standing water near wiring.

• Stop the water inside. Buckets, towels, and move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way. If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out from under it.
• Photograph everything before it's touched. Ceilings, walls, floors, damaged belongings, and the roof and yard from the ground. Take wide shots and close-ups. Date-stamped phone photos are fine.
• Get it covered. A crew can put a tarp or temporary patch on the roof to stop more water from coming in. Keep the receipt.
• Call your insurance company, or your agent, and ask how they want the claim started. Write down the claim number and who you talked to.
• Call or text us at (520) 261-1212. Tell us what happened and send the photos. We'll get a roofing crew lined up for the temporary fix and the inspection.
• Don't throw out damaged materials yet. Your adjuster may want to see them.

What storm damage looks like

Some storm damage is obvious, like tiles in the yard or a branch through the roof. A lot of it isn't. These are the signs a crew will look for.

• Tile roofs: cracked, slipped or missing tile, broken ridge and hip caps, and tile knocked out of place along the edges.
• Shingle roofs: lifted, creased or missing shingles, exposed nail heads, and torn ridge caps.
• Foam roofs: punctures and gouges from debris or hail, and coating torn away at the edges.
• Flashing bent or pulled loose around vents, chimneys and walls.
• Debris piled in valleys or against parapets, blocking water from draining.
• Inside: new water stains, peeling paint on the ceiling, a musty smell in the attic.

Insurance claim basics

We aren't insurance experts, and we can't tell you what your policy covers. Only your policy and your insurer can. What we can tell you is what usually helps homeowners get through a roof claim with less stress.

• Read your policy's section on wind and hail damage, and look for your deductible. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind or hail.
• Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. That's what the tarp is for. Keep every receipt.
• Photos taken before anything is repaired are your best evidence.
• Get the roofing crew's findings in writing, with photos, so you can share them with your adjuster.
• Ask your insurer before you approve permanent repairs.
• Old wear and tear generally isn't covered. Sudden storm damage often is. Your adjuster makes that call, not the roofer.

Arizona's rules for storm-damage roof contracts

Arizona has a law written for exactly this situation, A.R.S. § 32-1158.02. It applies to residential roof repair or replacement after a catastrophic storm in an area an insurer has designated, for owners who live in the home. A few parts are worth knowing about before you sign anything.

• The contract must tell you, in bold type, that you can cancel for any reason within four business days after signing.
• It must also tell you that you can cancel within 72 hours after your insurer tells you the claim is denied.
• The contractor can't pay, waive or rebate your deductible.
• The contractor can't promise that your insurance will cover the work, and can't act as your adjuster.
• The down payment can't be more than half of the contract price.
• Except for work that prevents more damage, like tarping, permanent work generally waits until your insurer approves or denies the claim.

Watch out for storm chasers

After a big storm, out-of-town crews knock on doors in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Some are fine. Some take a deposit and disappear before the next storm.

A few simple rules help. Don't sign anything at the door. Be careful with anyone who offers to cover your deductible, since Arizona law doesn't allow it. Look up any roofer's license at roc.az.gov before work starts. And don't let anyone pressure you to sign today because your insurance will only pay if you act now.

What changes the price, and how long it takes

An emergency tarp or patch is a small job compared with the permanent repair. The permanent fix depends on the roof type, how much of the roof was hit, whether water got into the decking or insulation, and whether matching tile is available.

Tarping often happens within a day or two of the storm, depending on how many roofs got hit. The permanent repair waits on the inspection and, if you're filing a claim, your insurer. Expect the busiest stretch right after a big storm, when crews across town are booked solid.