Arizona’s monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30. The storms bring three things that hit roofs hard: wind strong enough to lift shingles and tile, heavy rain in a short burst, and dust and debris that clog valleys and drains. The best time to get a roof ready is spring, before the first storm. The second-best time is now.
Your monsoon roof checklist
Most of these you can check from the ground, a ladder at the eave, or the attic. Leave anything on the roof itself to a roofer.
1. Look for broken, slipped, or missing tile and shingles
From the ground or with binoculars, scan each slope. Look for cracked or slipped tiles, gaps in the rows, and shingles that are lifted, curled, or missing. Any opening is where wind-driven rain gets in first.
2. Check flashing at walls, chimneys, and skylights
Look where the roof meets a wall or chimney. The metal flashing should sit tight against both surfaces. Rust, gaps, or flashing pulled away from the stucco are common leak points in a hard rain.
3. Clear valleys, gutters, and drains
Valleys collect leaves and dust. Gutters and downspouts fill up. On flat roofs, drains and scuppers clog. When a monsoon dumps an inch of rain in 30 minutes, water that can’t drain backs up under the roof. Clear them before the season starts.
4. Inspect pipe boots and vents
The rubber collars around plumbing vents dry out and crack in the sun. A cracked boot is one of the most common leaks we fix, and one of the cheapest to prevent.
5. Check your flat roof or walk deck coating
On foam roofs and walk decks, look for exposed foam, cracking, or bare spots in the coating. Foam needs a recoat every 5 to 7 years. A roof that has skipped its recoat is at risk in a heavy storm.
6. Trim trees back from the roof
Branches that touch or hang over the roof scrape tile and shingles in wind and break off in storms. Trim them back several feet from the roofline.
7. Look in the attic
On a sunny day, look for daylight through the roof boards. Look for old water stains or dark spots on the wood. Both point to places the roof is already letting water in.
8. Secure anything on the roof
Satellite dishes, solar conduit, and loose AC panels can move in monsoon wind and damage the roof around them. Make sure they’re fastened down.
What to do after a monsoon storm
Once the storm passes and it’s safe:
Walk the yard. Look for pieces of tile, shingles, or flashing on the ground.
Scan the roof from the ground. Look for gaps, slipped tile, or lifted shingles.
Check ceilings and the attic for new stains or drips.
Photograph any damage right away, with dates. If you file an insurance claim, these photos matter.
Don’t go on the roof yourself. Wet tile and shingle are slick, and walking tile wrong cracks it.
If water is actively coming in, put a bucket under it, move belongings out of the way, and call a roofer. During monsoon we tarp first to stop the water, then come back to repair it properly.
Will insurance cover monsoon damage?
Arizona homeowners policies generally cover sudden damage from covered events like wind, hail, and falling limbs. They don’t cover wear and age. If a 25-year-old tile roof starts leaking because the underlayment has failed, that’s typically considered wear, even if the leak showed up during a storm.
If you have storm damage:
Photograph it before anything is moved or repaired.
Call your insurance carrier to open a claim.
Have a licensed roofer document the damage with photos and a written scope your adjuster can work from.
Be cautious of anyone who knocks on your door after a storm saying insurance will pay for a new roof. Check their license at roc.az.gov before you sign anything.
Why a pre-monsoon inspection pays off
Most monsoon leaks don’t come from new damage. They come from small problems that were already there: a cracked pipe boot, a gap in the flashing, underlayment that was already worn out. The storm just finds them.
A spring inspection catches those while they’re still a small repair, before they become a ceiling, drywall, and insulation repair. If your roof is over 15 years old, or you’ve had a leak before, it’s worth having someone look before June.
For tile roofs specifically, read why tile roofs leak even when the tile looks fine. If you’re unsure whether your roof needs a fix or a replacement, see how to tell the difference.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Arizona? June 15 through September 30.
When should I get my roof inspected for monsoon? In spring, ideally April or May, so there’s time to make repairs before the first storms.
What roof damage is most common in monsoon season? Wind-lifted shingles, slipped or broken tile, flashing pulled loose, and leaks from clogged valleys and drains.
Should I get on the roof to check for damage? No. Check from the ground and the attic, and leave the roof itself to a roofer.
Talk to a roofer
Get ahead of the storms. Request an inspection or call (602) 358-8458, and we’ll check the roof, photograph anything that needs attention, and fix it before the monsoon finds it. Storm damage now? See our roof repair page.
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Let’s look at your roof.
Enough reading — if your roof needs eyes on it, we’ll come take a look and give you a straight answer.
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Sat – Sun Closed