Monsoon Season Prep for Avondale Homes

Monsoon storms are short but intense. Wind drives rain sideways, under roof tiles, around windows and under doors that keep out ordinary rain. Dust storms often come first and fill roof drains and gutters with dirt, so when the rain arrives it has nowhere to go. Streets and yards can pond quickly because desert soil sheds water rather than soaking it up.

Most Avondale homes have concrete tile roofs. The tiles are tough, but the underlayment beneath them does the real waterproofing and ages in extreme heat. Look for cracked, slipped or missing tiles from the ground, and have a roofer check roofs older than about 20 years before June. Flat roofs and parapets need clear scuppers and sound seams.

Clear roof drains, scuppers and gutters of dust, leaves and debris before the season and again after dust storms. A blocked scupper on a flat roof can pond water until it finds a seam. Make sure downspouts carry water away from the house.

Check weatherstripping on doors and clean the tracks and weep holes on sliding doors and windows so water can drain out instead of in. Re-caulk gaps around window frames. Stains below windows or damp carpet at a slider after past storms point to the weak spots.

Desert landscaping should slope away from the house. Check that soil and rock beds are not piled against stucco above the weep screed, which lets water into the wall. Keep yard drains and channels clear so storm water leaves the lot.

Trim branches that hang over the roof; monsoon winds snap them. Storms knock out power, so keep flashlights ready and know how to reset your AC once power returns.

Catch drips, move belongings, photograph damage and call. Inside, the cleanup is drying the attic, ceilings, walls and floors. See monsoon roof leak damage.

Wind and storm damage that lets water in is often covered. Surface water flowing in from outside is flood and usually is not; flood cover comes through FloodSmart (NFIP). Check your policy before June.

Monsoon season often begins with dust storms, called haboobs, that sweep across the valley. Dust fills gutters, roof drains, scuppers and slider tracks. When rain follows, those blocked paths force water to back up and find new ways in. A quick cleanup after each dust storm keeps drains open for the rain.

Most Avondale homes have stucco walls with a weep screed, a metal strip at the bottom that lets water out of the wall. If soil or rock is piled above it, water can be trapped inside the wall during storms. Keep landscaping a few inches below the screed.

Wind-driven rain can blow under garage doors and front doors. A good bottom seal on the garage door and sound weatherstripping on entry doors keep most of it out.

If your yard has a pool, make sure storm overflow and backwash drain away from the house, not toward it. Overflowing pools in big storms can send water toward patios and doors.

Walk the house after each big storm. Check ceilings, closets, sliders and the attic. Small stains caught early are easy to fix.

Hairline cracks in stucco near windows and corners can let wind-driven rain into the wall. A stucco contractor can seal them before the season. Inside, stains below windows after storms are the clue.

Monsoon storms often knock out power. When it returns, the AC may need resetting. While it is off, keep doors and windows closed during the storm and check for water at sliders and doors once rain stops.

For roof damage, call a licensed roofer. For water inside, call (623) 269-9046 for a local restoration provider who can start drying the same day.

Before the season starts, have the roof checked, clear gutters and scuppers, clean slider and window tracks, check that yard drainage moves water away from the house and trim branches that hang over the roof. Keep a tarp, towels, buckets and a flashlight in the garage. Save a roofer and (623) 269-9046 in your phone. When a storm warning comes, close windows, move patio items that could blow into windows and park cars away from trees.

A few hours in May on the roof, drains, doors and grading prevents most monsoon water damage.

Questions about monsoon season prep for avondale homes? Call (623) 269-9046 to reach a local Avondale provider, 24 hours a day.