Arizona monsoon water damage: what to do and how to prevent it

How monsoon water gets into homes

• Flat roofs: clogged scuppers and canales let water pond and find cracks, especially at parapet flashing.
• Tile roofs: wind lifts or cracks tiles; aged underlayment underneath lets water through.
• Doors and sliders: water pushed by wind or running across a patio gets under thresholds.
• Stucco walls: water pooling against the base of the wall enters at the weep screed or through cracks.
• Washes and streets: fast-moving runoff reaches garages, casitas and low rooms.

During the storm

• Stay inside and away from flooded streets and washes.
• Put towels or sandbags at doors taking water.
• Move valuables up; unplug electronics in rooms taking water.
• Put buckets under ceiling drips and keep out from under sagging drywall.

After the storm

Photograph water entry points and damage. Clear roof drains only if it's safe. Get standing water out quickly. Water that came across the ground from outside carries soil and bacteria, so carpet, pad and lower drywall it soaked usually have to be removed rather than dried in place.

Preparing before June

• Have flat roofs inspected and recoated as needed; clear scuppers, gutters and canales.
• Check tile roofs for slipped or broken tiles.
• Keep soil and rock below the weep screed and slope grading away from the house.
• Seal gaps at door thresholds and check slider tracks drain properly.
• Know where your main water and power shutoffs are.