Monsoon Storm Damage in Chandler, Cleaned Up Before the Next Cell

June 15 to September 30

That's the window National Weather Service offices across the Southwest use to define the monsoon. Heat comes first, then moisture, then daily rounds of thunderstorms that can bring lightning, high winds, dust and flash flooding. Maricopa County notes that intense summer rains send flash floods down normally dry washes. The heaviest Chandler event in recent memory came at the end of the season: on September 8, 2014, parts of the city recorded nearly 6 inches of rain in one morning.

How Monsoon Water Gets In

• Through the roof. Wind lifts tiles or shingles and peels flashing; rain follows.
• Around windows and doors. Wind-driven rain gets past seals that hold up fine in a light shower.
• Across the slab. Runoff that pools against a wall or flows down a driveway can seep in at the garage or patio door.
• Through the AC. Rooftop and attic equipment can take on water when panels or ducts are damaged.

After the Storm Passes

Stay away from sagging ceilings and keep breakers off for wet rooms. Photograph the roof, yard and any debris before cleanup. Don't drive through flooded dips or around barricades; the county and the Weather Service both stress that a small depth of moving water can carry a car.

Our Cleanup

1. Temporary cover for roof openings so the next storm doesn't add to the damage.
2. Extraction of standing water from floors and the garage.
3. Removal of soaked insulation and ceiling drywall that won't dry in place.
4. Drying with air movers and dehumidifiers, checked daily with meters.
5. Repairs to drywall, texture and paint, coordinated with your roofer.

Not all summer leaks come from the sky. The tank in the garage works hard in Chandler's heat, too; see water heater leak cleanup. For how we handle every other job, visit water damage help from our Chandler team.