Monsoon Roof Preparation Checklist

Arizona's monsoon season officially runs June 15 through September 30. Storms can arrive with little warning, bringing strong gusts, haboobs (walls of dust), intense downpours and sometimes hail. A roof that handled months of dry weather without complaint can start leaking in the first big storm.

The reason is timing. By June, roofs have endured months of rising heat. Sealants have dried, small cracks have opened, and debris has collected in valleys and drains. Monsoon storms then test all of it at once. Preparing in spring, before the season starts, is the most effective way to avoid emergency calls in July.

A professional inspection in April or May gives you time to fix problems before storms arrive and before roofers' schedules fill up with emergency repairs. An inspector checks things you cannot safely see yourself, including:

• Cracked, slipped or missing tiles and lifted or missing shingles
• Condition of tile underlayment in key areas
• Flashing at walls, valleys, chimneys and skylights
• Pipe boots and roof jacks
• Coating condition and exposed foam on flat roofs
• Drainage paths, scuppers and roof drains

Payne Roofing recommends spring and fall inspections each year. See our monsoon inspection article for more.

Small issues found in spring are usually straightforward to fix. Prioritize anything that lets water reach the underlayment or deck:

• Replace cracked or missing tiles and shingles.
• Reseal or replace failed flashing and pipe boots.
• Re-secure loose ridge caps and hip tiles.
• Repair blisters, cracks and worn areas in flat roof coatings, or schedule a recoat if the coating is near the end of its life.
• Fill gaps where birds are nesting under tile and install bird stops if needed.

Monsoon rain comes fast and heavy. Water needs a clear path off the roof, or it backs up under roofing materials and over flashing. Before June 15:

• Clean gutters and downspouts, and make sure downspouts discharge away from the foundation.
• Clear valleys on pitched roofs of leaves, dust and nesting material.
• On flat roofs, clear scuppers, canales and roof drains, and note any spots where water ponded during winter rains.
• Check that splash blocks and drainage at the ground are in place.

Gutter cleaning from a ladder is fine for many homeowners if done carefully, but leave roof-level cleaning, especially on tile, to a pro.

Monsoon winds turn branches and yard items into projectiles. Before the season:

• Trim branches that overhang or touch the roof. Palm fronds and mesquite and eucalyptus limbs are common culprits.
• Remove dead trees or limbs near the house.
• Secure or store patio furniture, umbrellas and trash cans.
• Have rooftop equipment such as evaporative coolers, AC units and satellite dishes checked to make sure mounts and covers are secure.
• If you have solar panels, ask your installer or roofer to check mounting points and the roof beneath.

During a storm

Stay inside and off the roof. If a leak appears, contain the water with buckets and towels, move valuables and take photos.

After a storm

• Walk around the house and look at the roof with binoculars for missing or displaced material.
• Look for debris on the roof, granules piled at downspouts, and damaged gutters.
• Check ceilings and the attic with a flashlight for new stains or damp insulation.
• If you had hail or very high winds, schedule a professional inspection even if you see no obvious damage. Hail damage can be hard to spot from the ground.

If you find damage, call promptly. Payne Roofing offers prompt emergency roof repairs; call 480-988-9250 during business hours.

1. Book a spring roof inspection (April or May).
2. Repair cracked tiles, missing shingles and failed flashing.
3. Check pipe boots and roof jacks for cracking.
4. Recoat or repair worn flat roof coatings.
5. Clean gutters, valleys, scuppers and roof drains.
6. Trim branches away from the roof.
7. Secure rooftop equipment and yard items.
8. Know where your attic access is and keep a flashlight handy.
9. Save your roofer's number in your phone.
10. After major storms, check from the ground and attic, and schedule an inspection if needed.

For more seasonal ideas, see our monsoon season roof tips.