This June, Sun City Fire District Fire Marshal Kenny Kovac wrote to residents asking them to stop attempting home repairs on their own. He said firefighters had responded to multiple fires in recent months traced back to residents doing their own plumbing and home maintenance work without the proper training or credentials. Some of those repairs, he wrote, “placed lives at risk” (Sun City Independent, June 17, 2026). SCHOA shared the full letter in its weekly update.
His letter was about plumbing, electrical, gas and major home repairs. It did not single out roofs. But on October 21, the National Weather Service named Sun City in a severe thunderstorm warning for hail and 60 mph gusts. Some residents will now be tempted to get the ladder out and look for themselves. The same reasoning applies.
Why the roof is a poor place for DIY
- Falls. The CDC says more than one out of four older adults falls each year, and falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults. A ladder and a sloped roof add height to that risk.
- Heat and flame. Some flat roof repairs use torch-applied materials. That is the same kind of open flame the fire marshal warned about.
- Tile breaks under foot. Walking on concrete or clay tile can crack pieces that were fine, and create the leak you went up to find.
- Permits. The fire marshal reminded residents that many repairs need permits and inspections, and that skipping them can affect insurance after a loss. Sun City is unincorporated Maricopa County. Our post on deed restrictions and county permits explains who handles what.
What you can safely do from the ground
- Look at the roof from the yard or across the street. A phone camera zoom or binoculars will show broken or slipped tiles.
- Check inside for new ceiling stains, especially under any flat section over a carport or Arizona room.
- Look for fresh dents on the AC unit, gutters and patio cover edges.
- Take dated photos and keep a short list of what you see.
- If water is coming in, protect your belongings and call for help. Do not go up in rain or wind.
For what hail looks like on tile, foam and shingle roofs, see our post on checking your roof after the October 20 and 21 storms. For what the warnings actually showed for Sun City, see what the record shows.
Finding qualified help
The fire marshal’s letter points residents to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors posting list to find licensed contractors. It also suggests contacting SCHOA, Maricopa County Planning and Development, or the Sun City Fire Marshal’s Office with questions about permits, fire safety or licensing before a major repair.
Apex Roofing Systems will go up so you do not have to. Our free roof inspection comes with photos of what we find, including when the answer is that nothing needs doing. Request a free roof inspection or call (480) 808-ROOF (7663).
Sources: Sun City Independent, Sun City Fire Marshal warns of DIY repairs, June 17, 2026; SCHOA Weekly Update, letter from Fire Marshal Kenny Kovac; CDC, Older Adult Falls Data; NWS Phoenix, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, 3:04 p.m. Oct. 21, 2026.