Free commercial roof inspections: Vanguard Roofing AZ is offering free commercial roof inspections across the Phoenix metro after these storms. Call or text (602) 818-5791.
What the Oct. 20–21 storms brought
These are National Weather Service (NWS) warnings and early reports, as covered by local news. Warning sizes are radar estimates, and real hail size changed block to block.
azfamily also reported shattered windows and windshields at an apartment complex near 19th and Peoria avenues. The NWS Phoenix office warned that more storms with large hail were possible into Thursday, so check back before you schedule roof work.
Why hail matters for a commercial flat roof
The NWS calls a thunderstorm severe when it produces hail 1 inch across or larger (NWS glossary). That is quarter size; golf ball hail is 1.75 inches (NWS hail size chart). Reports from this storm reached both sizes. On a commercial roof, look for:
- Single-ply roofs (TPO, PVC): punctures and fractures in the membrane, often at seams and around equipment.
- Spray foam roofs: cracked or bruised coating. Once the coating breaks, sun and water reach the foam.
- Rooftop equipment: dented HVAC fins, broken skylights, damaged vents and flashings.
- Drains: hail and debris pile up at drains and scuppers, which can leave water sitting on the roof. See our ponding water guide.
Much of this damage can't be seen from the parking lot, and some of it won't leak until the next rain. A close-up inspection soon after the storm is also the easiest time to tie the damage to a specific date.
What to do this week
- Stay off a wet roof. Wet roofs and hail are slippery, and storms may not be over. Leave roof access to a roofer with fall protection.
- Photograph what you can see safely. From the ground and inside, take dated photos of ceiling stains, active leaks, dented HVAC units, broken skylights and debris.
- Stop active leaks. If water is coming in, call for a temporary repair. Most policies expect you to prevent further damage. Keep every receipt.
- Report the damage to your insurer. Report promptly. Your policy sets the notice requirements, so ask what documentation your insurer wants.
- Get a professional roof inspection. Have a licensed commercial roofer inspect the roof up close and give you dated photos and a written report.
Arizona's insurance department has a guide on insurance after storms and disasters, and you can check the NOAA Storm Events Database for official storm records once they are posted.
Watch out for storm chasers
After big storms, out-of-town crews often show up knocking on doors. The Arizona Attorney General warns property owners to be careful about after-storm fraud. Before you sign anything, check the contractor’s license with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Vanguard Roofing AZ holds AZ ROC licenses CR-42 #289663 and R-62 #283025.
What our free commercial roof inspection includes
- Evaluation of potential hail and storm damage
- Assessment of the roof's overall condition
- Identification of existing or developing problem areas
- Honest, professional recommendations
- Written estimates if repairs or restoration are needed
Our goal isn't to sell you a new roof you don't need. It's to help property owners, facility managers and property management companies understand the condition of their roofs and make informed decisions. If the roof is fine, we'll tell you that. For more on how we handle storm damage, see our storm and hail damage repair page.
Frequently asked questions
Was my building hit by hail in the Oct. 20–21 storms?
Hail size changed block to block, so the only way to know is to check the roof. The National Weather Service warnings covered much of the Valley, from Chandler, Tempe and Mesa on Oct. 20 to Avondale, Glendale, Peoria, North Phoenix and north Scottsdale on Oct. 21. Vanguard Roofing AZ tracks hail events across Maricopa County and offers free commercial roof inspections across the Phoenix metro.
Can hail damage a commercial flat roof?
Yes. Hail can puncture or fracture single-ply roofs like TPO, crack or bruise the coating on a spray foam roof, and dent HVAC fins, skylights and vents. Damage is often hard to see from the ground and may not leak right away.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
Both, and quickly. Report the damage to your insurer promptly; your policy sets the notice requirements. If water is coming in, call a roofer right away for a temporary repair, since most policies expect you to prevent further damage. Photograph the damage before and after the temporary fix and keep receipts.
Is the commercial roof inspection really free?
Yes. Vanguard Roofing AZ offers free commercial roof inspections throughout the Phoenix metro. You get an evaluation of hail and storm damage, the roof's overall condition, and honest recommendations, plus a written estimate only if repairs or restoration are needed.
Related reading
- Storm, Monsoon & Hail Damage Repair — our storm damage repair service
- Commercial Roof Insurance Claim Documentation — what to document for your insurer
- Emergency Commercial Roof Leak Repair — if water is coming in now
- Ponding Water on Commercial Roofs — when water won't drain after the storm