Homeowner tip
Spring Roof Checklist for Arizona Homes
Spring is the best time to get your Arizona roof ready for summer heat and monsoon storms. Check the roof from the ground and attic, clear gutters and drains, trim trees, schedule a professional inspection, and finish repairs before monsoon season begins on June 15.
Why spring matters
In Arizona, spring is the calm before two big tests: months of extreme heat and the monsoon season, which officially runs June 15 through September 30. Mild weather makes roof work easier, and roofers' schedules are usually more open than they will be once storms start. A little attention now can prevent an emergency call in July.
From the ground
Walk around your home with a pair of binoculars. You do not need to climb a ladder or get on the roof, and please do not, especially on tile. Look for:
- Missing, lifted or curling shingles
- Cracked, slipped or missing tiles, especially along ridges and edges
- Gaps under tile at the eaves where pigeons could nest
- Damaged or loose gutters and downspouts
- Debris piled in valleys or on flat sections
- Faded, chalky or brown areas on visible foam or coated roofs
- Stains on stucco or fascia below the roofline
From the inside
Choose a cool morning and take a flashlight into the attic if it is safe to access. Step only on framing, never between joists. Look for:
- Water stains or dark spots on the underside of the roof deck
- Damp or matted insulation
- Daylight showing through the roof
- Soffit vents blocked by insulation
Also check ceilings throughout the house, especially near skylights, chimneys and exterior walls, for new or growing stains from winter rains.
Drainage, trees and equipment
- Clean gutters and downspouts, and make sure water discharges away from the foundation.
- Clear roof drains and scuppers on flat roofs, or have a pro do it.
- Trim branches that touch or hang over the roof before monsoon winds arrive.
- Have rooftop equipment checked, including evaporative coolers being started up for the season and AC units. Look for leaks and loose mounts.
- Check solar panels for nesting birds and debris underneath.
Schedule an inspection and make repairs
Payne Roofing recommends a professional inspection every spring and fall. A spring inspection catches winter and wind damage and gives you time to repair it before storms. Common spring repairs include resealing pipe boots and flashing, replacing cracked tiles, re-securing ridge caps and touching up worn coatings.
If your inspection turns up bigger issues, such as aging tile underlayment or a foam roof that needs a recoat, spring is a good time to plan that work. Learn more about our roof inspections.
Quick spring checklist
- Binocular check from the ground
- Attic check on a cool morning
- Clean gutters, downspouts and drains
- Trim trees away from the roof
- Service rooftop coolers and AC
- Book a professional inspection
- Finish repairs before June 15
Questions & answers
When should I get my roof inspected in Arizona?
Spring and fall are ideal, with an extra inspection after major storms. A spring inspection in March, April or May finds damage from winter and wind and leaves time for repairs before monsoon season starts on June 15. Fall inspections catch any damage the monsoon left behind.
Is it safe to check my own roof?
Checking from the ground and the attic is safe and useful, but walking on the roof is not recommended. Tile cracks easily, and slopes and heights are dangerous. Use binoculars from the ground and a flashlight in the attic, and leave roof-level work to a professional.
What roof repairs should I do before summer?
Prioritize anything that lets water past the roofing surface. That includes cracked or missing tiles and shingles, failed flashing, cracked pipe boots, clogged drains and worn flat roof coatings. Fixing these in spring prepares the roof for both summer heat and monsoon storms.
Talk to a roofer who knows Arizona roofs.
Call for a free estimate. Open Monday through Friday 7–5 and Saturday 8–2.