Monsoon Season and Water Damage in Arizona

Monsoon season in Arizona is an unpredictable time of year.  The heavy rains, winds, thunderstorms, and even hail can wreak havoc on your home. Many people will plan for the time of year with some basic preparations on their property.  It’s good to be prepared, for monsoon season and water damage, but you want to have a solid understanding of Arizona’s laws regarding alteration of the flow of water before you make any major changes to your property.

How to Prepare for Monsoon Season

There are plenty of simple things you can do around your home to prepare for Monsoon season without putting yourself in legal jeopardy.  One of the simplest things to do is make sure your rain gutters are completely clean.  Clogged gutters can cause water to pool up on and around your roof and significantly increases the risk of major roof damage during a rainstorm.

You can also avoid lots of potential damage to your property and your neighbor’s by making sure that you trim or take down dying trees and loose limbs.  You can avoid lots of potential damage just by making sure that you trim back any tree branches, so they are not hanging over your home or your neighbor’s property.

Monsoon season is a good time of year to make sure you have adequate homeowner’s insurance for any potential damage and you might want to consider adding flood insurance, too.  Typically, homeowner’s insurance will not cover flood damage from groundwater.  Make a call to your insurance agent or provider and get clear details about what your coverage and figure where you might need extra protection.

Options for Lawfully Diverting the Flow of Water

If you are concerned about drainage issues on your property, it is essential to understand any floodplain and stormwater laws in your city and county.  You will want to start this process with a real estate attorney that has experience with water diversion laws in Arizona.  Our firm can help you understand all the laws that apply to your home and work with you to develop a plan for any changes.  You will generally be required to get any potential alterations to watercourse on your property approved and certified by a professional engineer.  They must certify that the changes will not increase flood risk in any of the surrounding areas.

How to Handle Unexpected Property Damage from Monsoon Season

The most important thing to remember about any property damage is safety first.  Make sure you family is safe and out of harm’s way.  Then, hire an expert for the rest.  There are lots of great clean-up and restoration companies you can consider should you require their services.  You should be able to work with your insurance company to find an approved vendor that can handle the job.

If there is major damage to your property that you believe was the fault of uncertified alterations in waterflow, then you will want to work with an experience real estate attorney in Arizona to resolve the situation.  Confronting your neighbor directly might be the first thing you want to do, but you should get all the facts first.  You need to make sure there is evidence of the changes made to their property and any attempts to you made to get those alterations fixed properly.

Find an Experienced Real Estate Attorney in Arizona

Our firm understands that homeowners want to do whatever necessary to protect their home and family.  It is important to make sure those changes do not put you at risk for a lawsuit from your neighbor for altering the natural flow of groundwater.  Monsoon storms arrive without warning during the summer months in Arizona, so you want to be prepared.  Our firm can help you determine if your property improvements or alterations are certified.  Our attorneys can also represent you if damage to your property was caused by uncertified alterations to a neighboring property.  Contact us today at 602-533-2840 to schedule an initial consultation or to make an appointment online.