Highlights
- Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours of monsoon moisture intrusion, ServiceMaster Restore Phoenix specialists told AZFamily.
- Weep screeds and scuppers clogged by storm debris are among the first exterior points to inspect after a storm.
- Wet drywall should be cut out and replaced, not left to dry on its own, according to the restoration specialists.
- Homeowners can use moisture meters from local hardware stores to find wet areas not visible to the eye.
Valley homeowners who took storm damage this week face a ticking clock: mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of moisture intrusion, according to Noah Means and Travis Martin of ServiceMaster Restore Phoenix, who spoke with AZFamily Tuesday. The company said it has seen a significant increase in calls following the Valley's recent storms.
Before touching anything, Means and Martin said homeowners should photograph and video every affected area. Delayed moisture detection is the primary risk: once drywall absorbs water, it loses structural integrity and should be cut out along with the wet insulation behind it. Leaving wet drywall to dry on its own is not an option, they said, particularly on exterior walls.
Inside, weep screeds around windows are among the first places to check. When those openings become clogged after a dust storm combined with rain, water can back into the home and saturate insulation inside exterior walls. Homeowners should look for musty odors, discoloration, and staining around windows, doors, chimneys, and skylights. Moisture meters, available at local hardware stores, can identify wet areas not visible to the eye; ServiceMaster technicians also use thermal imaging cameras for more precise readings.
What should homeowners check outside after a monsoon?
Means and Martin recommended clearing scuppers and weep screeds to ensure proper drainage, noting that dirt and debris from storms can accumulate and block those points. All exterior doors should be inspected to confirm no water is entering around the frame.
The 24-to-48-hour mold window is corroborated by multiple independent sources, including KOLD News and ASAP Restoration, both of which have reported on the same risk for Arizona homeowners this monsoon season.
Homeowners with ceiling damage should treat it as an additional concern, Means and Martin said. Restoration specialists can be reached for assessment before the 48-hour window closes.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 11/08/2026 17:15
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 11/08/2026 17:15. Every claim traces to a source.
