Before and after the storm: Your monsoon roof checklist

AAR Expert Henry Staggs says when the storms roll in, preparation pays off.

Monsoon season in Arizona officially kicks off on June 15, and around here, that date means more than just watching the sky for that first wall of dust. Every year, our team marks the start of the season with a company picnic. This year we headed out to the Salt River, went for a swim and ate more junk food than we'd like to admit. It's a small tradition, but it's a good reminder that before the storms roll in, it's time to get serious about the roof over your head.

Before the season: Get ahead of it

The single best thing any Arizona building owner can do before monsoon season arrives is walk the roof and clear it of debris. A clean roof drains the way it was designed to, and that starts with making sure every drain and gutter is open and flowing freely. Standing water is one of the fastest ways to turn a minor issue into a major one.

While you're up there, take a look around for anything that isn't secured. Loose vents, unanchored equipment, or anything that could catch a monsoon gust and go airborne needs to be tied down. And if you're carrying any pre-existing damage, even something small, seal it up now. A tiny gap that's manageable in dry weather can become an active leak the moment a storm hits.

After the season: Don't skip the follow-up

Once monsoon season wraps up in September, the work isn't quite done. Assuming you made it through without any leaks, get back up on the roof and repeat the same inspection. This time, the goal is cleanup: clear out all the debris the storms left behind so your roof heads into the next dry stretch the way it should, clean and clear.

If you spring a leak

If a leak does show up, call a roofer right away. Every day water sits on or in a roof system is a day it's doing more damage, and the fix only gets more involved the longer it waits.

If you're filing a claim

If the leak is bad enough that you're considering an insurance claim, know who's who in that process. Your roofing contractor is there to do the work, diagnose the damage and put the roof back together correctly. If you want someone in your corner negotiating the claim itself, that's a public adjuster's job. A public adjuster works on behalf of the homeowner to negotiate the best possible outcome with the insurance company, while the contractor stays focused on doing the work right.

Done right and monsoon tight, that's the goal every season. A little attention before and after the storms is what keeps your roof, and your investment protected.