Monsoon Water Damage in Buckeye: Prepare, Protect, Recover

When is monsoon season in Buckeye?

The official monsoon season in Arizona runs from June 15 through September 30. In Buckeye, most of the strongest storms come in July and August, often in the late afternoon and evening.

What monsoon storms bring

Heavy, sudden rain

Monsoon storms can drop a lot of rain in a short burst. Buckeye's hard, dry desert soil does not soak it up quickly, so most of it runs off instead.

Flash flooding

Runoff fills washes fast. Dry channels can turn into fast moving water in minutes. Streets, yards and low areas can flood, and water heads for the lowest point, which is sometimes a garage or a patio door. The Hassayampa and Gila rivers and the washes that feed them can rise quickly after heavy rain upstream.

Strong winds

Downbursts can bring powerful winds that lift and crack roof tiles, break windows, knock down trees and damage fences and patio covers.

Dust storms

Walls of dust often come ahead of the rain, coating homes, clogging gutters and scuppers and working into door and window seals.

Hail and lightning

Hail now and then cracks tiles and skylights. Lightning can cause power surges and outages.

How monsoon water gets into Buckeye homes

• Roof leaks through cracked tiles, worn underlayment, flashing and vents
• Under doors, especially patio sliders and garage doors
• Through the garage, which often sits lower than the rest of the house
• At the base of stucco walls, when water pools against them
• Through broken windows after wind or debris damage
• Backed up storm drains in streets that cannot keep up
• Around AC units and roof penetrations on flat roofs

Before the season: a prep checklist

Do this in May or early June, before the first storms.

Roof

• Have your roof inspected for cracked, slipped or missing tiles.
• Ask about the condition of the underlayment if your roof is more than 15 years old.
• Check flashing around vents, chimneys, skylights and where roofs meet walls.
• Recoat flat roof sections and patio covers if needed.

Gutters, scuppers and drains

• Clear gutters, scuppers and downspouts of debris and dust.
• Point downspouts away from the foundation.
• Clear yard drains and channels, especially on hillside lots.

Yard and grading

• Make sure soil slopes away from the house on every side.
• Fill low spots next to the foundation.
• Keep landscape rock and mulch from blocking drainage paths.
• Check irrigation so it is not soaking the soil against the house.

Doors and windows

• Replace worn door sweeps and weather stripping.
• Seal gaps around window frames.
• Check that patio slider tracks drain properly.

Garage

• Seal the gap under the garage door.
• Keep valuables and boxes off the garage floor or on shelves.
• Keep a few sandbags on hand if your home is in a low area or near a wash.

Trees

• Trim dead branches and anything hanging over the roof.

Insurance and records

• Review your homeowners policy.
• If you live near a wash or in a low area, ask your agent about flood insurance. Many flood policies have a waiting period, so do this early.
• Take a video tour of your home and belongings and store it online.

Emergency basics

• Know where your water main and breaker panel are.
• Keep flashlights, batteries and phone chargers ready.
• Save our number: (623) 555-0148

During a storm

• Stay inside and away from windows during strong winds.
• Never drive or walk through flooded roads or washes. Moving water is stronger than it looks, and roads can wash out under the surface. Arizona's Stupid Motorist Law can make drivers who get stranded in flooded, barricaded areas pay for their rescue.
• Watch for water at doors. Put towels or sandbags at thresholds if water is pooling.
• Unplug electronics if lightning is close to protect against surges.
• Keep an eye on ceilings in rooms under flat roof sections or known weak spots.

After a storm: recovering from water damage

1. Check safely

Look for downed power lines, broken glass, damaged trees and sagging ceilings. Stay out of standing water if power is on in that area.

2. Document everything

Photograph the outside first: the roof, broken windows, fallen trees, debris and how high water reached. Then photograph every affected room inside, before cleaning.

3. Prevent more damage

Cover broken windows and damaged roof areas if it is safe. Move belongings away from leaks. Keep receipts for supplies.

4. Treat outside water as contaminated

Floodwater that came in from outside picks up soil, fertilizer, animal waste and sometimes sewage. Wear gloves and boots, and keep children and pets away.

5. Call your insurance company

Report the damage and get a claim number. Wind damage and rain through storm damage are often covered by homeowners insurance. Rising floodwater usually needs flood coverage.

6. Start drying fast

Monsoon season is also the hottest time of year. Wet materials plus summer heat is the perfect setup for mold, which can start within 24 to 48 hours. The faster drying starts, the more of your home can be saved.

7. Check for hidden damage

Even if you only saw a little water, check the attic for wet insulation, the ceiling for stains, the base of walls for swelling and the garage for water that ran under the interior door. Some roof leaks only show up days later.

How we help after monsoon storms

• Emergency tarping and boarding to stop more water from getting in
• Extraction of standing water and mud
• Cleaning and disinfecting after outside floodwater
• Removal of contaminated carpet, pad and drywall
• Structural drying of walls, slabs, framing and attics
• Mold prevention and remediation
• Repairs to drywall, ceilings, insulation and flooring
• Photos, moisture readings and written scopes for your insurance claim

Learn more about our flood damage cleanup, storm damage restoration and ceiling and roof leak damage services.