Arizona monsoon roof checklist
Prepare your records and contacts before a storm. During severe weather, prioritize people and safe shelter. Leave roof access, temporary roof protection and repairs to qualified professionals.
Before a storm: gather what a contractor will need
- Keep your property manager, owner and roofing contractor contact information accessible.
- Locate previous roof invoices, warranty documents and inspection photos.
- Note unresolved leaks or areas that were repaired previously.
- Arrange a professional assessment of known concerns while conditions are safe.
- Confirm who can authorize urgent work and how occupants should report a problem.
- Keep insurer contact information available for policy-specific questions.
For managed properties, record building and unit identifiers consistently. A message saying “water in the bedroom” is harder to act on than a report identifying the unit, room, time and visible condition.
During a storm: stay away from roof access
If you hear thunder, get inside a substantial building or a fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle. The National Weather Service advises waiting at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activity. That does not mean a wet or damaged roof is safe to access. NWS monsoon safety
Do not use a ladder or climb onto the roof to inspect or tarp it. Keep people away from sagging ceilings, falling material and water near electrical fixtures. Never touch wet electrical equipment or enter standing water to reach a switch. For immediate danger, leave the affected area and contact emergency services. Ready.gov flood safety
Report what you see, not what you think caused it
From a safe location, record the date and time, affected room, whether water is entering now and any visible hazards. Take a wide photo and a closer photo only when safe. Preserve the originals.
Use neutral wording: “Water appeared at the ceiling beside the hallway at 7:15 p.m.” is more useful than an unconfirmed diagnosis. Do not assume that the entry point is directly above the stain.
Keep later observations separate. A new photo and timestamp can help distinguish the initial report from conditions after temporary protection or repair.
Afterward: separate emergency protection from repair
Ask the contractor to identify whether proposed work is temporary protection, investigation or permanent repair. Request a written scope, photos and an explanation of areas that could not be inspected.
Retain invoices and communications. This record may help with property management and discussions with your insurer, but it does not establish coverage or guarantee reimbursement. Ask your insurer about your policy and any applicable reporting requirements.
Keep a reusable report ready
The roof inspection and bid-comparison kit includes a leak-report worksheet and an inspection-request template, with PDF and editable Word downloads. Store completed forms privately because they can contain occupant details and property access information.
For a non-emergency assessment of your roof, schedule an inspection. Emergency services, not an online inspection request, are the first contact when people are in immediate danger.