A monsoon storm can bring strong wind, dust, lightning, and hail in a short burst, and a tile roof takes it differently than a shingle roof. Tile is durable but brittle, and the parts you cannot see, the underlayment and flashing, often decide whether water gets in. This guide covers safe ground-level checks, what monsoon wind, hail, and debris can do to concrete and clay tile, how to document damage, and how a roofer and an adjuster inspection fit in.
Last updated: November 4, 2026. By Lior Gabay, Tip Top Roofing Service, ROC #355034.
What Should You Do First If Your Tile Roof Is Storm Damaged?
After a monsoon storm, check a tile roof from the ground only: use binoculars for cracked, missing, or shifted tiles, look for debris, and photograph everything before cleanup. Do not walk on tiles. Watch for ceiling stains, protect the home from more water, and call a roofer and your insurer promptly.
Safety comes first. The National Weather Service Phoenix office says never to touch a downed power line, even if it appears dead, and to stay sheltered until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder (National Weather Service Phoenix, Monsoon Safety (undated page)).
The monsoon season runs June 15 to September 30, dates the National Weather Service fixed in 2008, and the NWS lists strong winds, dust storms, flash flooding, and lightning among its hazards (Ben McMahan, CLIMAS, University of Arizona (June 22, 2018)). The NWS Phoenix office says a severe thunderstorm warning covers damaging winds of 60 mph or greater and hail 1 inch in diameter or larger (National Weather Service Phoenix, Monsoon Safety (undated page)).
For tile, damage usually comes from wind that lifts or shifts tiles, hail and flying debris that crack them, and water that finds its way past tile that has moved. A Tile Roofing Industry Alliance technical brief reprinted by the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association notes that broken tiles are typically caused by large hail and flying debris rather than wind (FRSA, reprinting TRI Alliance Technical Brief #2022-001 (November 18, 2022)). For the two tile types, see concrete tile versus clay tile in Arizona.
Tip Top Roofing Service perspective
After a monsoon, the tile you can see is rarely the whole story. A cracked tile is easy to spot, but the question on every storm visit is whether the underlayment and flashing beneath it are still sound. A roof can look nearly normal from the street and still have a displaced ridge tile or a lifted valley edge, so we recommend a professional look after any strong storm, even without a leak.
Safe Ground-Level Checks Before Anyone Goes Near the Roof
Do not climb onto a damaged roof. Angi advises hiring a professional rather than getting on the roof yourself, especially when debris has struck it (Angi, What to Do If Your Roof Has Storm Damage (undated page)), and the Florida Division of Emergency Management warns that walking on a tile roof can break mortar bonds or crack tiles (Florida Division of Emergency Management, Hurricane Retrofit Guide, tile roofs (undated page)). See also can I walk on my tile roof in Arizona. Work through these checks instead:
- Walk the perimeter. Look for broken tile pieces on the ground, in planters, and in gutters. Fragments mean something came off even if you cannot yet see the gap.
- Use binoculars or a phone zoom. The Florida guide suggests looking for cracked, broken, or loose tiles, especially along ridges, gable edges, and eaves (Florida Division of Emergency Management, Hurricane Retrofit Guide, tile roofs (undated page)).
- Look for debris. Tree limbs and patio items can crack tile on impact or sit in a valley and block drainage.
- Check the roofline. A wavy line, a visible gap, or a ridge that no longer looks straight can mean tiles have shifted.
- Check the attic on a dry, sunny day. The Florida guide suggests looking for daylight and water stains, especially around vents, chimneys, and places where the roof changes shape (Florida Division of Emergency Management, Hurricane Retrofit Guide, tile roofs (undated page)).
- Check ceilings and walls. Angi lists water coming through the ceiling or discoloration in the attic as signs of roof damage (Angi, What to Do If Your Roof Has Storm Damage (undated page)).
Our post-monsoon roof checklist covers every roof type, and our guide to hail damage on Arizona roofs goes deeper on hail.
What Monsoon Wind, Hail, and Debris Do to Concrete and Clay Tile
| Roof component | What storms can do | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Field tiles (the main flat area) | Hail and flying debris can crack or break them (FRSA, 2022) | Cracked or missing tiles and broken pieces on the ground. A roofer replaces them |
| Ridge, hip, and eave tiles | The Florida guide calls hip and ridge tiles the most vulnerable to wind | An uneven ridge line, loose or missing caps, cracked mortar. These need a professional reset |
| Slipped or displaced tiles | Moved tiles leave gaps where water can reach the underlayment | Visible gaps, uneven rows, tiles resting at an angle |
| Underlayment | Works mainly as a secondary water barrier (FRSA, 2022) | Attic stains or daylight, often near damaged tile |
| Valleys and flashing | Debris can block flow, and tiles must be supported so water does not dam (Western Roofing, 2023) | Debris in valleys, bent or lifted metal, loose sealant |
| Vents, chimneys, skylights | Impact or movement can disturb the flashing around them | Stains near the penetration; both deck and top flashing are expected (Western Roofing, 2023) |
Cracked and broken tiles
A cracked tile is often a repair, not a replacement of the whole roof. The FRSA reprint says a roof’s tiles may be safely removed and replaced without impacting the integrity of the roof system, and that repair decisions should be made by a trained, state-licensed professional (FRSA, reprinting TRI Alliance Technical Brief #2022-001 (November 18, 2022)). If an exact-match tile is unavailable, the same brief describes a “harvest and repair” method that takes tiles from less visible roof planes. See our tile roof repair in Scottsdale page.
Slipped tiles and wind-lifted ridge and hip tiles
The Florida guide notes that older mortar-attached ridge and eave tiles can begin blowing off at gusts of roughly 80 to 90 mph (Florida Division of Emergency Management, Hurricane Retrofit Guide, tile roofs (undated page)). It is a hurricane guide, so treat that as a general benchmark, not a prediction for any one Arizona storm. A tile that has moved may no longer shed water. A larger area of displaced tile may call for a tile roof reset in Scottsdale.
Underlayment, valleys, and flashing
The TRI Alliance brief says a qualified roofing contractor should inspect the underlayment before any tile repair, and that new or harvested tiles should not be installed over compromised underlayment (FRSA, reprinting TRI Alliance Technical Brief #2022-001 (November 18, 2022)). Richard K. Olson of the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance writes that valleys can use single or multi-rib metal flashing, with tiles supported by flashing ribs or batten extenders to prevent water damming (Richard K. Olson, Western Roofing, Tile Talk: Due Diligence (March 14, 2023)). Compromised underlayment may mean tile roof underlayment replacement, a bigger job than swapping a tile.
Documenting Damage and Protecting the Home
The Arizona Department of Insurance advises taking photos or video, keeping receipts, and photographing damage before making repairs (Arizona Department of Insurance, Making Repairs After a Disaster (April 2015)). The Insurance Information Institute adds that you should not throw out damaged items until the adjuster has visited (Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Settling insurance claims after a disaster (undated page)).
- Wide shots first: each side of the house and the roof as seen from the yard, with the date.
- Close-ups next: broken tile pieces, debris, gutters, and damaged vents.
- Interior photos: ceiling and attic stains, and any water on floors.
- Keep a log: storm date, what you noticed, and who you called.
For protection, the Insurance Information Institute says to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, keep receipts, and avoid extensive permanent repairs until the adjuster has assessed the damage (Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Settling insurance claims after a disaster (undated page)). The Arizona Department of Insurance says to call your insurer first to ask what documentation it accepts (Arizona Department of Insurance, Making Repairs After a Disaster (April 2015)). In practice, protect the inside of the home and have a professional cover an open roof rather than working on damaged tile yourself. Our post on emergency roof tarping explains how temporary covers work.
When to Call a Roofer, and How an Adjuster Inspection Fits In
Call a roofer for missing, cracked, or shifted tile, debris on the roof, ceiling or attic water signs, or damage you cannot confirm from the ground. Angi advises contacting a professional as soon as you suspect damage you cannot see from the ground (Angi, What to Do If Your Roof Has Storm Damage (undated page)).
On insurance, the Insurance Information Institute says to contact your agent or insurer promptly and ask whether the damage is covered, the filing deadline, and whether it exceeds your deductible (Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Settling insurance claims after a disaster (undated page)). The Arizona Department of Insurance warns that an insurer could deny a claim if repairs or cleanup happen before damage is evaluated, and advises checking a contractor’s licensure with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (Arizona Department of Insurance, Making Repairs After a Disaster (April 2015)). Angi notes the insurer will send an adjuster (Angi, What to Do If Your Roof Has Storm Damage (undated page)), and another Angi guide says having your contractor present can help both sides agree on the damage (Angi, Exploring the Roof Damage Insurance Claim Timeline and Process (undated page)).
Tip Top Roofing Service is not an insurance company and cannot decide coverage: we help document damage and meet the adjuster, with no promise of approval or payment. Our ROC number is #355034. For the claim process, read how to file a roof insurance claim in Arizona. To have the whole system checked, see our roof inspection service, storm damage roof repair in Scottsdale, storm damage roof repair in Phoenix, or storm damage roof repair across Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm-Damaged Tile Roofs
Can I walk on my tile roof to check for monsoon damage?
No. Walking on a tile roof can break mortar bonds or crack tiles, and a storm-damaged roof is even less safe. Check from the ground with binoculars and let a roofer inspect the roof itself.
What does storm damage look like on a tile roof?
Common signs are cracked, chipped, or missing tiles, broken pieces on the ground, shifted tiles with visible gaps, loose ridge or hip tiles, debris in valleys, and water stains on ceilings or in the attic.
Does hail crack concrete and clay tile?
It can. A technical brief reprinted by the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association says broken tiles are typically caused by large hail and flying debris. Not every hailstorm damages tile, so have the roof evaluated if you suspect impact.
Is the underlayment damaged if a tile is cracked?
Not necessarily, but it should be checked. The underlayment works mainly as a secondary water barrier, and the TRI Alliance recommends having a qualified roofer inspect it before tile repair rather than installing new tiles over compromised underlayment.
Should I tarp a damaged tile roof myself?
We recommend against climbing on a damaged roof. Protect the inside of the home, take photos, and have a professional place a temporary cover if the roof is open to the weather. Keep receipts for any protective steps.
When should an adjuster see the damage?
Contact your insurer promptly and ask what it needs. The Insurance Information Institute advises not making extensive permanent repairs until the adjuster has assessed the damage. Tip Top Roofing Service helps document damage and meets the adjuster, with no promise of approval or payment.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Storm-Damaged Tile Roof
As a local roofing company serving Scottsdale, AZ, Tip Top Roofing Service provides a free estimate for storm-damaged tile roofs, and we help document damage and meet the adjuster, with no promise of approval or payment. We are GAF-certified, Owens Corning certified, BBB-accredited, and licensed under ROC #355034.
📞 Call Tip Top Roofing Service today at (480) 877-1643
📧 Email: info@tiptoproofingservice.com
🌐 Website: https://tiptoproofingservice.com/
🕓 Hours: Open 7 days, 8 AM to 6 PM (Fridays until 4 PM)
References
- Angi: Exploring the Roof Damage Insurance Claim Timeline and Process (undated page)
- National Weather Service Phoenix: Monsoon Safety (undated page)
- CLIMAS, University of Arizona: June 2018 SW Climate Outlook, Monsoon Tracker (June 22, 2018)
- Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association: Post Storm Event, Considerations for Repairing Damaged Concrete and Clay Roofing Tiles (November 18, 2022)
- Western Roofing: Tile Talk, Due Diligence, Inspecting Proper Flashing After a Storm Event (March 14, 2023)
- Florida Division of Emergency Management: Hurricane Retrofit Guide, Tile Roofs (undated page)
- Arizona Department of Insurance: Making Repairs After a Disaster (April 2015)
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I): Settling insurance claims after a disaster (undated page)
- Angi: What to Do If Your Roof Has Storm Damage (undated page)
