Short answer
Before monsoon season starts on June 15, clear roof scuppers and gutters, check door and window seals, make sure yard grading sends water away from the house, and know where your main water shutoff is. After each dust storm, check roof drains again.Roof and drainage
Flat and low-slope roofs with parapets are common in older Valley homes. Water drains through scuppers and canales that clog with dust, leaves and palm debris.
- Clear scuppers, canales and gutters
- Look for cracked foam or roof coating
- Check that downspouts discharge away from the foundation
Doors, windows and grading
Wind-driven rain enters under doors and through slider tracks. Soil or pavers that slope toward the house direct runoff to the stem wall.
- Replace worn door sweeps and thresholds
- Clear weep holes in slider tracks
- Regrade soil to slope away from walls
During the storm
Keep towels or sandbags at low doors, and photograph any water entry while it's happening. That shows the source clearly for your insurer.
After the storm
Check ceilings under flat roof sections, closets on exterior walls and the garage. Water from outside is considered contaminated, so wet carpet it touched needs professional attention.
Questions
When is monsoon season in Arizona?
Officially from June 15 to September 30. The most active storms usually happen in July and August.
Should I get flood insurance in Phoenix?
Standard homeowners policies exclude surface flooding. If your home is in or near a wash or low area, ask an agent about a flood policy; there's usually a waiting period before it takes effect.
This guide is general information for Arizona homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site assessment or your insurance policy wording.