Arizona's monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30. It brings sudden wind, microbursts, blowing dust and heavy rain, sometimes all within an hour, and roofs take the brunt of it. Some storm damage is obvious the next morning. Some of it doesn't show up until the next storm, when water finds its way inside.
Here's what monsoon storms typically do to a roof, what to do in the first few days afterwards, and how homeowners insurance usually treats the damage.
What monsoon storms do to a roof
- Blown-off or broken tiles and shingles. Wind gets under the edges, lifts them and either tears them off or drops them back cracked.
- Lifted edges and ridge caps that still look in place from the ground but no longer seal.
- Impact damage from branches, patio furniture and other debris.
- Wind-driven rain pushed sideways under tiles, shingles and flashing, into roofs that never leak in an ordinary rain.
- Damaged flashing and vents, where most leaks start.
What to do right after a storm
- Stay off the roof. Wet tile and shingles are slippery, and walking on damaged tile breaks more of it.
- Photograph what you can see from the ground: tiles or shingles in the yard, gaps along the roofline, debris on the roof. Your phone records the date.
- Protect the inside. Catch drips, move belongings away from leaks, and photograph any water stains.
- Write down the date of the storm. Insurers ask for it.
- Get the roof inspected. A roofer can find damage you can't see from the ground and document it properly. Our storm damage inspections are free. If water is coming in now, call (623) 262-7752.
Does homeowners insurance cover monsoon damage?
Often, yes. Most homeowners policies cover sudden damage from wind, hail and falling objects. What they generally don't cover is wear and tear: a roof that leaks because it's old, or damage that came from poor maintenance rather than a specific storm.
Before you file, it's worth checking two things in your policy:
- Your deductible. If the repair costs less than your deductible, a claim may not make sense. Some policies also carry a separate deductible for wind or hail.
- Reporting deadlines. Policies expect storm damage to be reported promptly, and some set a time limit. Don't wait until the next storm.
How the claim process works
- Inspection and documentation. We inspect the roof and document the damage with photos and measurements.
- You file the claim with your insurance company.
- The adjuster inspects the roof. We can meet the adjuster on site and go over the damage together.
- Your insurer approves the scope of work and the amount.
- We complete the repair or replacement that was approved.
See how we handle insurance claims for more on working with your adjuster, including when a claim is denied or underpaid.
Why older roofs complicate claims
Adjusters separate storm damage from damage that was already there. That matters most on older tile roofs. The tiles can last for decades, but the underlayment beneath them usually needs attention around the 20-year mark. A monsoon can expose a leak that's really caused by worn-out underlayment, and that part generally isn't covered.
If that's what we find, we'll tell you plainly, and explain your options, including tile underlayment replacement, which keeps your existing tiles.
Get your roof checked before the next storm
Damage that isn't fixed tends to get worse with the next rain. Schedule a free roof inspection or call (623) 262-7752, and we'll tell you what we find, with photos.