Homeowner library
In-depth roofing guides written for Phoenix Valley homeowners, organized by topic so you can find what you need and read it at your own pace.
Last updated
The short answer
The Homeowner Library is our collection of in-depth guides for Arizona homeowners. It covers hiring a roofer, tile underlayment, monsoon prep, seasonal maintenance, reading estimates, repair vs replace, storm claims, solar, attic heat, flat and foam roof care, HOA approval and safe checks you can do yourself.
Guides
How to hire a roofer in Arizona
A roof is one of the largest purchases most homeowners make, and the contractor matters as much as the materials. Here is how to check a roofer out before you sign anything.
Tile roofsTile roof underlayment in Arizona: what it is and when to replace it
Concrete and clay tile can last for generations, but the layer underneath does the real waterproofing, and Arizona heat wears it out much sooner.
MonsoonMonsoon roof prep checklist for Arizona homeowners
Arizona's monsoon brings dust, wind, sudden downpours and hail. A little preparation before the season and a careful look after each storm can keep small problems from becoming leaks.
MaintenanceArizona roof maintenance calendar: month by month
Arizona roofs face a predictable year: mild spring, extreme summer heat, monsoon storms, a calm fall and winter rain. Matching your maintenance to that cycle keeps small issues small.
EstimatesHow to read and compare roofing estimates
Two roofing bids can be thousands of dollars apart and still both be honest, because they often describe different jobs. Here is how to read each line and compare them fairly.
PlanningRepair or replace your roof? An Arizona decision guide
Most roofs reach a point where you have to decide between another repair and a bigger project. These are the factors that matter most in Arizona and a simple checklist to help you decide.
Storm damageStorm damage and roof insurance claims in Arizona
A monsoon can lift tiles, tear shingles and drive rain under a roof in minutes. This guide walks through what to do in the hours and weeks after a storm, from safe photos to the adjuster visit.
SolarSolar panels and your roof: what Arizona homeowners should know
Solar panels can sit on your roof for decades, so the roof under them matters. Here is how to plan solar around your roof's age, type and condition, and how to avoid leaks later.
Ventilation and energyAttic heat, roof ventilation and energy in Arizona
In a Phoenix-area summer, the attic is often the hottest place in the house. How your roof breathes affects your cooling bills, your comfort and how long your roof lasts.
Flat and foam roofsCaring for flat and foam roofs in Arizona
Flat and low-slope roofs are common across the Valley, from older ranch homes to Pueblo-style houses and commercial buildings. A little regular care keeps them watertight and helps them last.
HOA and permitsHOA approval for a re-roof in the East Valley
Many neighborhoods in Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley have homeowners associations with rules about how roofs look. Getting approval before work starts keeps your project on track.
DIY checksSafe DIY roof checks from the ground and the attic
You can learn a lot about your roof without ever climbing onto it. These checks help you spot problems early and know when it is time to call a roofer.
Outside resources
Official and industry sources we point homeowners to. These open on other websites.
Check a contractor
- Arizona Registrar of ContractorsArizona's contractor licensing agency. Use its contractor search to check any roofer's license and complaint history.
- Arizona Attorney General consumer protectionInformation on consumer scams, including home repair fraud, and how to report a problem.
Weather and monsoon
- National Weather Service PhoenixLocal forecasts, watches and warnings for the Phoenix area, including severe thunderstorm and dust storm alerts.
- Flood Control District of Maricopa CountyRainfall data, flood risk information and storm preparation tips for Maricopa County residents.
Insurance and disasters
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial InstitutionsThe state insurance regulator, with consumer guides and a way to ask questions or file a complaint about an insurer.
- Maricopa CountyMaricopa County's official site, including emergency management and permits for unincorporated areas like Sun Lakes, Leisure World and Dreamland Villa.
- Arizona Emergency Information NetworkThe state's official source for emergency updates and preparedness information.
- FEMAFederal disaster assistance, recovery information and guidance after declared disasters.
- Ready.govFederal preparedness guides for storms, floods, extreme heat and building a home emergency plan.
- National Association of Insurance CommissionersConsumer guides on homeowners insurance and filing claims.
Energy and cool roofs
- Cool Roof Rating CouncilIndependent ratings of solar reflectance and thermal emittance for roofing products, with a searchable product directory.
- Energy Saver: cool roofsU.S. Department of Energy overview of how cool roofs work and when they make sense.
- Energy Saver: insulationDepartment of Energy guidance on insulation types and recommended R-values by climate zone.
- Energy Saver: radiant barriersHow attic radiant barriers work and where they are most effective.
Permits and codes
- Town of GilbertThe Town of Gilbert's official site. Search "building permits" for re-roof requirements.
- City of MesaThe City of Mesa's official site. Search "building permits" for re-roof requirements.
- City of ChandlerThe City of Chandler's official site. Search "building permits" for re-roof requirements.
- ICC Digital CodesFree read-only access to the model building codes, including the International Residential Code, that many Arizona cities adopt.
Industry information
- National Roofing Contractors AssociationThe national roofing trade association, with consumer information on roof systems and hiring a contractor.
- Arizona Roofing Contractors AssociationArizona's roofing trade association, with information on local roofing standards and practices.
- Tile Roofing Industry AllianceIndustry information on concrete and clay tile roofs, including installation guidance.
- Spray Polyurethane Foam AllianceIndustry information on spray foam roofing systems and coatings.
About these guides
Each guide in this library tackles one topic in depth. Where our Roofing FAQ gives you a short answer, these guides explain the why behind it and walk you through the decisions you'll face.
Everything is written for homes in the Phoenix Valley, where intense sun, summer heat and monsoon storms shape how roofs age. The full list of guides appears below this introduction. Browse by topic or scroll the list to find what fits your situation.
How the library is organized
The guides fall into a few broad groups. Most homeowners only need two or three at a time, depending on what's happening with their home.
- Hiring and estimates: how to hire a roofer and how to read an estimate.
- Tile roofs: tile underlayment, what it does and when it needs replacing.
- Weather and storms: monsoon prep and storm damage claims.
- Care and upkeep: the maintenance calendar, flat and foam roof care, and safe DIY checks.
- Big decisions: repair vs replace, solar and roofing, and HOA approval.
- Comfort and energy: attic heat and ventilation.
Hiring a roofer and reading estimates
Choosing a roofer is easier when you know what to ask. The hiring guide covers checking an Arizona ROC license, confirming insurance and understanding what a written estimate should include.
The guide to reading estimates explains common line items, such as underlayment type, tear-off, decking allowances, flashing and permits, so you can compare bids on the same terms. Pair it with our Roofing Cost Guide for estimated Phoenix-area ranges.
Tile underlayment
Most Valley homes have tile roofs, and the tile usually outlasts the underlayment beneath it. The underlayment guide explains what that layer does, how Arizona heat ages it, the warning signs of failure and how a lift and relay works.
It also covers the difference between underlayment types and when new tile might make more sense than reusing the old. See our tile roofs page for more.
Monsoon prep and storm claims
Monsoon season runs June 15–September 30. The monsoon prep guide covers what to check before the storms arrive, from loose tiles and flashing to debris in valleys and drains on flat roofs.
The storm claim guide explains what to do afterward: how to look for damage safely from the ground, how to document it with photos and how the insurance process usually goes. For repair help, see our damaged roof page.
Maintenance, flat and foam roofs, and safe DIY checks
The maintenance calendar breaks roof care into seasons so small issues get caught before they grow. The flat and foam roof guide explains why coatings need renewing, how to spot ponding water and what a recoat involves. Learn more on our foam roofing and flat roofing pages.
The safe DIY checks guide lists what you can look at from the ground or from inside the attic, and what's best left to a roofer. Walking on tile can crack it, and roofs get dangerously hot in summer, so we keep these checks off the roof.
Repair vs replace, solar and HOA approval
The repair vs replace guide helps you weigh a targeted fix against a larger project, based on the roof's age, the number of problem areas and how often repairs have been needed.
If you have solar panels, the solar guide explains how they affect roof work and why panels may need to be detached and reset. The HOA approval guide covers working with your association on tile profiles, colors and timing so your project isn't held up.
Attic heat and ventilation
In Arizona summers, a poorly ventilated attic gets extremely hot. That heat can shorten the life of roofing materials and make your home harder to cool. The attic heat and ventilation guide explains how intake and exhaust vents work together, signs your attic may be running hot and the common upgrades homeowners consider during a re-roof.
The roofing glossary
When a guide uses a term you don't know, the roofing glossary explains it in plain language. It's especially handy when you're reading an estimate or an inspection report full of words like underlayment, flashing, valley, cricket and square.
Outside resources
The library also points to outside resources that are useful when you're planning roof work. These include places like the Arizona Registrar of Contractors license search, where you can confirm a contractor's license, and your city's building permit office, where you can check whether your project needs a permit.
We include these so you can verify information on your own. Rules and requirements change, so always confirm the details with the source.
Questions the guides don't answer
Guides can help you understand your options, but they can't see your roof. If you have a question about your home, call us at 602-548-3770, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. If we don't answer, leave a message and we'll return your call within 24 hours.
You can also visit the resource center for our cost guide, FAQ, blog and newsletter.
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question? Call the office at 602-548-3770, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm.
What is the Homeowner Library?
It's our collection of in-depth roofing guides written for Arizona homeowners. Each guide covers one topic, such as tile underlayment, monsoon prep or reading an estimate, in more detail than a short FAQ answer.
How are the guides organized?
The guides are grouped by topic: hiring and estimates, tile roofs, weather and storms, care and upkeep, big decisions like repair vs replace, and attic heat and ventilation. The full list appears below the introduction.
Which guide should I read first?
It depends on your situation. If you're planning a project, start with reading estimates and repair vs replace. After a storm, start with the monsoon and storm claim guides. For general upkeep, start with the maintenance calendar.
Do the guides include prices?
Price ranges are kept in the Roofing Cost Guide so they stay in one place and can be reviewed regularly. Every roof is different, so the only way to know your cost is an on-site estimate.
Are the guides specific to Arizona?
Yes. They're written for Phoenix Valley homes, with Arizona sun, summer heat and the June 15–September 30 monsoon season in mind.
Is it safe to check my own roof?
Some checks are safe from the ground or inside the attic, and our safe DIY checks guide lists them. We don't recommend walking on a tile roof or getting on any roof in summer heat; call a roofer instead.
What does the glossary cover?
The glossary explains roofing terms you'll see in estimates, inspection reports and our guides, such as underlayment, flashing, valley, cricket and square, in plain language.
Where can I verify a roofer's license?
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors offers a license search, and our outside resources list points to it. Integrity Roofing holds Arizona ROC #096629.
What if I have a question about my own roof?
Call us at 602-548-3770, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. If we don't answer, leave a message and we'll return your call within 24 hours.
Let's take a look at your roof.
Call the office at 602-548-3770 to schedule an estimate, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. If we don't answer, leave a message and we'll return your call within 24 hours.