Water Coming In Under the Door During a Monsoon? What to Do
When monsoon water comes in under a door, stay safe first: keep away from wet outlets and cords, and never walk through moving water outside. Block the gap with towels or sandbags, move belongings up, and take photos. Once the storm passes, remove standing water and dry floors and walls within 24 to 48 hours.
Arizona's monsoon season runs from June 15 to September 30. Storms can dump a lot of rain in a short time. Desert soil and caliche do not soak it up fast, so water runs across yards, patios and driveways. When it reaches a door, a slider or a garage, it can flow right inside. This guide covers what to do during the storm, right after it and before the next one.
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Need Help Now? Tap Here(833) 937-0179Why does storm water come in under doors?
Most homes are built so water flows away from the house. Over time, that changes. Common reasons water reaches the door:
- The patio or yard slopes toward the house after settling or new landscaping.
- Clogged patio drains or scuppers filled with leaves, gravel or dirt.
- Roof water with no gutter pouring onto the patio right at the door.
- Worn door sweeps and thresholds that leave a gap at the bottom.
- Slider tracks with blocked weep holes, so water fills the track and spills inside.
- Driveways that slope to the garage, with no lip at the garage door.
What should I do while water is coming in?
- Stay safe. Keep away from wet outlets, power strips and cords. Turn off power to the room at the breaker only if you can reach it from a dry spot.
- Do not go outside into moving water. Flash floods can rise fast.
- Roll towels or a long tube of sand along the bottom of the door.
- Move rugs, electronics, papers and furniture off the floor.
- Take photos and video of the water and where it is coming in.
- Use a wet vac or mop to keep water from spreading to other rooms, if it is safe.
What should I do after the storm passes?
Remove all standing water as soon as you can. Pull up wet rugs and look under them. Check the bottom of nearby walls and baseboards for dampness, because water wicks up drywall. Wet materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold, according to the EPA. Fans alone often are not enough when water has soaked under flooring or into the bottom of walls.
Storm water from outside can carry dirt, fertilizer and bacteria. If it came from a flooded yard or street, treat carpet and pad that it soaked as unsafe to keep. Learn what can be kept in our guide on whether wet drywall and carpet can be saved.
How long will the floor take to dry?
A small, quick spill on tile can dry in a day. Water that runs under laminate, wood or carpet pad, or into the bottom of walls, usually takes three to five days with drying equipment. A moisture meter is the only way to know it is truly dry. See how long water damage takes to dry.
Does insurance cover water that comes in under a door?
This is a common gray area. Many homeowners policies treat surface water from outside as "flood," which needs a separate flood policy. Water that comes in because of a sudden roof or pipe problem may be treated differently. Take photos, keep receipts and call your agent early. Our guide to Arizona insurance and water damage explains the terms.
How do I stop it from happening next time?
- Clear patio drains, scuppers and slider weep holes before July.
- Replace worn door sweeps and threshold seals.
- Add gutters or a diverter above doors that get roof runoff.
- Regrade soil or gravel so it slopes away from the house.
- Keep a few sandbags ready during monsoon season.
For a full pre-season list, see our monsoon water damage checklist.
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Get Expert Help 24/7(833) 937-0179Frequently asked questions
Is monsoon water that comes inside dangerous?
It can be. Water from outside may carry dirt and bacteria, and wet outlets are a shock risk. Wear gloves and boots, and keep away from electrical items.
Can I just use fans to dry the floor?
Fans help with surface water, but water under flooring or inside walls needs dehumidifiers and checks with a moisture meter.
Should I pull up carpet after storm water comes in?
Carpet pad that soaked up outside water is usually removed. Carpet may be saved in some cases. A restoration pro can test it.
Will homeowners insurance pay for water under the door?
It depends on your policy. Surface water from outside is often treated as flood. Call your agent and keep photos.
When is monsoon season in Arizona?
The National Weather Service defines it as June 15 to September 30.
About the author
Noah Miller founded AZ Water Damage Help in Queen Creek to give Arizona homeowners fast, honest water damage help. He writes and updates these guides using public guidance from the EPA, the IICRC, the National Weather Service and Arizona state agencies. More about Noah.