The Arizona monsoon season officially runs June 15 through Sept. 30, and while the summer storms bring a welcome break from the heat, they can also bring a few home maintenance challenges. A little prep work now can help prevent larger repairs down the road, so take a look at these tips to stay one step ahead of the rain, wind, dust, and hail.
1. Trim the trees.
Now is the time to trim those large tree branches that could break off and damage your property, as well as stake down young trees and plants that could get uprooted by heavy wind or rain. Tackling that landscape maintenance now can help keep debris around your yard and in your pool to a minimum for easier post-storm cleanup.
Alamar’s landscape partner, Stillwater, has also been out and about maintaining neighborhood trees in preparation for the monsoon season, and you’ll continue to see them on the scene after the summer storms to clean up damaged trees and other landscape debris.
If you see a downed tree that’s blocking a roadway, call the Stillwater landscape emergency line at 602-845-3188. To report non-emergency damage, submit a community concern so that your Alamar Community Life team can follow up.
2. Resolve drainage issues.
If you’ve noticed water pooling in your yard, now is the time to check in with a landscape professional and find a solution to prevent possible flooding during a heavy rainstorm.
3. Clean out the gutters.
Rain gutters and downspouts help direct water away from your home’s foundation. If your house has gutters, check if they’re full of dirt or debris and give them a good clean out now to avoid further blockages that could obstruct gutter flow and cause damage to your house.
4. Inspect the roof.
Consider scheduling a preventative roof inspection to check for loose tiles or patch up any leak-causing cracks or holes.
5. Seal the cracks.
Heavy wind-driven rain can damage your home’s foundation and exterior walls, so seal up cracks and gaps around your house to prevent seepage. Also check the condition of the weather stripping around your home’s doors and windows.
6. Protect the pool.
Make sure your pool cover, filters, and cleaning equipment are in working order and ready to go before and after a storm. You can also protect your pool by turning off breakers and covering equipment during electrical storms.
When a storm hits, the Community Life team will place signs to let you know if the Hay Moon Pool is closed.
7. Secure the patio furniture.
Take stock of your front porch and back yard and move, cover, or tie down any items that could be lifted away by high winds or damaged by dust and heavy rain. Furniture, play equipment, umbrellas, pillows, cushions, pool inflatables, wreaths, yard art, grills, and welcome mats could all become flying projectiles that end up in your neighbor’s yard or down the street. If you have any loose sunscreens on your home’s windows, be sure to tighten those before the high winds roll in.
8. Move the car inside.
If you usually park your car outside, the summer months may be the time to move inside the garage and keep it safe from flying objects, falling trees, and damage caused by heavy rain, wind, hail, and dust.
9. Be ready for a power outage.
Electrical lines can go down during a monsoon, leading to a loss of power, so be sure to have flashlights with fresh batteries on hand.
Here’s to the sweet smell of summer rain, the rumble of late-afternoon thunder, and the flash from a nighttime lightning show, and through it all, may your patio furniture stay in place and your pool waters run blue.