Monsoon Home Prep in Tucson: Roof, Stucco & Drainage Checklist

When is monsoon season in Tucson?

The National Weather Service in Tucson defines the monsoon as June 15 through September 30. Storms in that window can bring heavy rain, strong winds, dust and flash flooding, often after months with almost no rain at all. That long dry spell is exactly why small problems with roofs and walls go unnoticed until the first big storm.

The best time to prepare is spring, when it's dry and contractors can get on your roof before the rush. Here is what to check.

Safety first: do your checks from the ground or a ladder in good weather. Leave walking on tile roofs, and anything high, to a professional.

1. The roof

Tile roofs

Look for cracked, slipped or missing tiles from the ground or a ladder.
Clear leaves and debris from valleys and edges.
Remember the underlayment under the tile does the real waterproofing. Arizona home expert Rosie Romero puts its life at roughly eight to 20 years (source). If your roof is in that range and has had leaks, have it looked at.

Flat and foam roofs

Clear scuppers, drains and the roof surface of leaves, nests and debris.
Look for exposed foam, cracks, blisters and spots where water ponded last year.
Check the flashing around rooftop AC units and vents.
Rosie on the House recommends recoating foam roofs every five to 10 years (source).

Every roof

Trim tree branches that hang over or touch the roof.
Check pipe boots, skylights and flashing where the roof meets walls.
Look in the attic, if you can do so safely, for old water stains.

2. Stucco and walls

Seal cracks before the rain gets into them. Most hairline cracks are simple to fix; wider or growing cracks need a closer look. See stucco crack repair.
Check parapet caps on flat roofs. A crack there sends water straight into the wall.
Make sure the weep screed at the base of stucco walls isn't buried under soil, gravel or mulch, so water can drain out.
Look for staining below scuppers and windows, which shows where water is already running.

AZ Atlas Builder Group crew checking a Tucson home's roof and walls

3. Drainage around the house

Ground should slope away from the house, so storm water runs away from the foundation.
Downspouts and scuppers should discharge away from walls and foundations, not onto them.
Keep planters, soil and gravel from piling up against stucco.
Turn sprinklers away from walls. The Arizona Geological Survey notes that alternate wetting and drying drives expansive-soil damage, and recommends reducing watering around a home's foundation.
Clear yard drains and channels so they're open when the first storm hits.

4. Decks, patio covers and outdoor structures

Check deck boards, railings and stairs for loose fasteners and rot.
Look at where a deck or patio cover attaches to the house. Flashing there keeps water out of the wall.
Make sure patio covers and pergolas are solidly anchored before monsoon winds.
Tie down or store outdoor furniture, umbrellas and shade sails when storms are forecast.

See our deck builder, deck repair and patio cover pages.

5. During the storms

The National Weather Service's monsoon safety advice is worth knowing: never drive into flooded roads, keep children away from washes and storm drains after any rain, and remember that flash flooding can hit miles from where the storm is. For lightning, when thunder roars, go indoors, and stay in until 30 minutes after the last thunder. If you're caught in a dust storm while driving, pull aside, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.

6. After the season

Look for new ceiling stains, damp spots and peeling paint inside.
Check walls for new cracks or staining below scuppers.
Clear debris off flat roofs and out of valleys again.
Book any repairs for fall, so you're not racing the next monsoon.

If something did leak, our roof leak repair page explains how we find the source.

One contractor for roof, walls and structure

Monsoon damage rarely stays in one trade. A roof leak can wet a wall; a blocked scupper can crack stucco; a long leak can rot framing. Our own crew does roofing, stucco and structural repair in house, so one licensed contractor (AZ ROC #344537) can handle the whole fix. We walk the property and give you a written estimate.

Common questions.

The National Weather Service in Tucson defines the monsoon as June 15 through September 30.

Spring is ideal. It's dry, the roof is easy to inspect, and there's time to schedule repairs before mid-June.

Roof leaks through cracked tiles and worn flashing, flat roofs ponding behind blocked scuppers, water getting into cracked stucco and parapets, and drainage pushing water toward the foundation.

Yes. Even hairline cracks let wind-driven rain into the wall. Sealing them in spring is cheap compared with repairing water damage behind the stucco later.

Make sure the ground slopes away from the house, downspouts and scuppers discharge away from walls, and sprinklers aren't soaking the foundation. Cutting back watering near the house also helps with expansive soils.

Yes. Our own crew handles roofing, stucco and structural repair, so damage that crosses trades is fixed by one licensed contractor.

Tell us about your project.

Takes about a minute. Photos help, especially for repairs.