Monsoon season is officially in its fourth day of the 2014 season here in Arizona. Prior to 2008 the monsoon season didn’t start until we’d reach a technical measurement for three consecutive days, however to simplify things the National Weather Service now simply runs the season from June 15th through September 30th. So while we have “started” the season there hasn’t really been any activity of note yet. Prior to the storms hitting there are some tips and best practices which can help minimize your risk of damage and have you prepared for any potential power outages. Now is the time to prepare before we get into the heart of the storm season. Here are some suggestions:
- Check the condition of your roof and look for damaged tiles. Have any damaged tiles replaced to help protect the felt which is actually “drying in” your roof.
- Look for damaged flashing and seal pipes, vents, and skylights which may need some attention.
- Clear scuppers of debris on flat roofs and verify overall condition of your flat roof. Re-coating a built up roof is a normal maintenance item every five years or so.
- Make sure your landscape grading slopes away from the house.
- Thin out trees near the house and stake any newer trees if necessary to protect against high winds.
- Use surge protectors to protect important electronic devices within your home.
- Replace flashlight batteries in all your handheld flashlights. It’s also a good idea to have access to some candles & matches.
- If the power does go out don’t open your refrigerator or freezer unless you’re in the act of moving their contents. Typically food will stay ok for at least an hour.
These are just a few suggestions to help protect your home from the monsoon weather. Tree damage is one of the most common issues other than damage to roofs or leaks in homes. Don’t overlook this landscape maintenance in order to preserve your property.
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