After the Monsoon: Is That Water Damage?

The storm passed in forty minutes, and everything looks fine. But monsoon water doesn't always show itself right away. Here's a walk-through to do within a day or two.

Start at the top

• Ceilings: look for yellow or brown rings, bubbling paint or sagging, especially below flat-roof sections, scuppers, skylights and rooftop AC units.
• Attic (if it's safe to enter): look for wet insulation or dark streaks on the roof deck. Attics get extremely hot in summer, so go early in the morning and don't stay up there long.

Walls & closets

• Check closets on exterior walls, especially in corners. Water often runs inside the wall and shows up at the floor first.
• Run your hand along baseboards on the storm side of the house. Look for swelling, separation or a soft feel.
• Look for paint peeling around window frames.

Floors

• Feel carpet near exterior doors and sliders. Damp pad underneath may not show on top.
• Look for cupped laminate or wood, or loose tiles that sound hollow when you tap them.

Garage and outside

• Mud lines on garage walls or stored boxes show how high water came in.
• Look for erosion next to the foundation, or water pooling against the stem wall.

Your nose

A musty smell a few days after a storm suggests something is still wet. See mold prevention.

When to call

Call if you find more than a small damp spot, if anything stays wet after a day, if the ceiling is sagging, or if outside water came into the house. Hidden moisture is the main concern, and a contractor with moisture meters can check behind surfaces. Flood cleanup in Tucson.

For your insurer

Photograph everything you find with the date. Note when the storm hit. Keep any damaged items until your adjuster says otherwise.

General information only.

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