Arizona’s climate is harsh on roofs. The hot sun beats down on them for weeks on end, with a daily average temperature of 98 degrees in Phoenix in summer. Suddenly, they get blasted with monsoon rains from June to September — and for good measure, hail was reported 17 times in the year to December 2024. It’s no wonder that Arizona roofs occasionally give out under these extreme conditions and require urgent repairs.
Every Phoenix homeowner needs to understand the difference between a repair you can leave for a while and one you need to fix immediately. This post will guide you through several types of roof damage that require urgent attention and how to find the best Phoenix roofing contractor to get the job done right.
Leaks in Your Roof
Water cascading into our homes is enough to alert the least discerning homeowner that it’s time to take action. Yet, roof leaks are often not as dramatic as that. Often, they begin as a tiny amount of water ingress that seeps into your underlayment. If that goes on for a long time or gets worse, it can affect the roof decking and rafters before finally making its way into your attic and the rooms beneath.
Just because you can only see a small leak in your home does not mean you don’t have a significant problem. The roof decking boards can hold back a lot of water before it gives way. By the time water starts entering your home, the lumber in your roof could be rotting.
Here are telltale signs of a leaking roof include:
- Stains on the ceiling or walls
- Dripping sounds in the attic
- Water dripping outdoors
- Mold growth on exterior walls
- Shiners (tiny beams of light coming through the roof)
If you notice any of these signs, do not attempt a DIY fix or wait a while — it will only get worse. Call a trusted local contractor immediately for an estimate and get the work done as soon as possible.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
Every Arizona homeowner should visually inspect his or her roof from the ground after a storm. You should look for missing or damaged shingles that can cause serious damage if they are not quickly replaced.
The shingles on a roof are arranged in an interlocking pattern that creates a watertight seal. When this seal is breached, there is nothing to stop water from getting inside the structure of the roof and making its way into your home.
Missing or damaged shingles are not always easy to spot. However, you may notice that your home is developing a moldy smell. This means moisture is entering your roof structure, likely through a missing shingle. If you even suspect your home may have sustained damage to the shingles, call out a roofing company to inspect it and diagnose the problem.
Faulty Flashing
Flashing is the seams that hold our roof together. It protects adjoining areas of roofing, channeling rainwater away from your home and into the safety of the guttering system. However, flashing is made of thin pieces of metal that can get damaged in storms, by hail, and through wear and tear.
Signs of damaged flashing include:
- Rust or corrosion
- Bends, dents, and cracks
- Lifted sections
- Missing flashing
- Mold or stains on fascia boards
Some of these issues may be visible from ground level, but don’t risk your safety by trying to inspect your roof yourself. Instead, leave it to the professionals. A roofing company has the necessary equipment and experience to diagnose faulty flashing before it causes serious damage.
Sagging Patches
If your roof is beginning to sag or is wavy in parts, this indicates that you have structural problems and don’t have a moment to lose in getting them fixed.
Sagging roofs can have several causes, including:
- Water damage: If leaks are not quickly fixed, the decking of your roof can rot. When the decking boards can no longer bear the weight of the underlayment and shingles on top of them, sections of the roof can start to sag.
- Improper installation: Sadly, not all roofing contractors are reputable and use high-quality materials. If the contractor used 2 x 4s rather than 2 x 6s when installing your roof, it may not have the strength to support the shingles in the long term. Your roof will start to sag, and it’s time to get it urgently repaired.
- Time: Roofs do not last forever. Architectural shingle roofs typically last for 20 to 30 years, but this is reduced by extreme heat. Clay roofs last longer — between 50 and 100 years with good maintenance — but can get chipped or cracked in severe hailstorms or when someone walks on them.
The takeaway? A sagging roof is crying out for help. A reputable roofing contractor can inspect it and advise you whether it can be repaired or needs replacing.
Damaged Gutters
Gutters are the unsung heroes of every roofing system. When they work well, nobody gives them a second thought. But if they get clogged or damaged, they can cause serious problems in a short space of time.
Warning signs you should not ignore include:
- Gutters pulling away from walls (often due to being clogged)
- Gaps between sections
- Broken sections on the ground
Ignore these signs at your peril. Damaged gutters can allow water to collect in the roof structure and around the exterior of your home. If gutter issues have gone beyond a simple cleaning, call in a roofing contractor to put things right as soon as possible.
Urgent Roof Repairs? Call Overson Roofing
Arizona’s harsh climate does not let up for a single day. Therefore, you cannot afford to allow roof damage to remain a day longer than necessary. As soon as you realize you have one of the problems discussed above, call Overson Roofing immediately.
We have over four decades of experience in repairing roofs in the Phoenix metro area. Over that time, we have developed a reputation as storm damage repair specialists. Whether your roofing repair was caused by storms, hail, or simple wear and tear, our crews have the skills and experience to make it good again. Our roofing inspections can also help you navigate the insurance process after a storm or hail damage.
To get your roof damage fixed without delay, call us to schedule a free estimate. Alternatively, complete our contact form, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.