Here in the southwest, the word “monsoon” tends to be considered a mixed blessing. On the plus side, it provides much-needed moisture to nurture all living things. Arizonans appreciate this life-saving phenomenon, this refresher of our environment, cleaner of our dust, and longed-for reliever of excessive heat.
However, there’s a flip side, and you saw it coming! Our monsoon season also brings intense afternoon thunderstorms, dust storms, lightning, and flash floods. And they can last for hours…
Given that climate change appears here to stay, it’s more difficult than ever to predict when a monsoon will approach. The best advice is to expect heavy rain between June 15th and October 1st, or thereabouts. There’s no way to know how intense the storm will be, but preparation is the order of the day.
Which brings us to the core of this article: we’ve learned from experience that this period of surprising, unsettling drenching can affect our safety as well as our homes.
With memories of last year’s monsoon season and hints of what may be on the horizon in the coming months, I asked the Housley Builder’s team how best to protect our homes during the monsoon season. Here’s a handy checklist for the days and nights ahead.
CHECKLIST TO MONSOON-PROOF YOUR HOME
1: Grading and Drainage: Make sure soil pavers and landscaping slope away from your home. Keep an eye out for foundation (termite) mud trails between ground and stucco/siding.
2. Plumbing and Landscaping: Trim plants away from the home, avoiding them touching stucco, block, or siding.
3. Doors, Windows, Screens, and Skylights: Make sure outside seals are intact.
4. Roof: Check for slipped or missing tiles and replace them before the monsoon season.
5. Paint: It protects your home. Be sure its east and west exposures are up to date.
6. Wood Rot: Can allow moisture, Termites and unwanted bugs inside your walls and home.
Oh, and a final note. Be sure you keep an umbrella handy!
Local homeowners in Green Valley, Sahuarita, and beyond choose Housley Builders–They’re the “go–to consultants” for all things general construction. For more information, call Wayne and the crew today 520-648-3309.
