If there is one thing I know as an Arizona native, it’s that summers here aren’t for the faint of heart. The summer forecast in the Valley of the Sun includes blistering heat, increased energy bills, and of course, monsoon season. The Arizona monsoon season typically lasts from mid-June to late-September. While these rain storms may provide us with slightly cooler temperatures and some beautiful sunsets, they can also be extremely destructive to your property if you are not properly prepared for the storms ahead.
In this blog post, we will share some important tips to help owners like you, prepare a commercial property for monsoon season here in the Arizona desert.
Inspect the Roof
The monsoon season can result in significant damage to roofs on commercial buildings, especially when the roof has not been adequately prepared for the upcoming weather. Frequent rainfall often damages roof surfaces, resulting in small or large leaks that can cause extensive water damage to the building foundations, while possibly damaging inventory and equipment inside. This is why it’s crucial to have your roof inspected by a certified roof inspector/contractor ahead of the monsoon season. This lets you determine what – if any – repairs are needed before the heavy rains arrive to ensure the roof and building remain undamaged.
Inspect Windows and Doors
Not only do these monsoons bring heavy rain and thunderstorms but also heavy dust storms. Aside from your roof, your windows and doors are also ways that water and dust can enter the property. Make sure that they open and shut properly and that they’re completely sealed. Not only will this help keep the water and dust out, but it will also improve your energy efficiency. If the seal is cracked or brittle, it may need replacing.
The same care should be performed on doors to ensure that water and other outside elements are kept from entering the building so the property remains dry and undamaged. Additionally, windows and doors that are weak or damaged could shatter or fail during a storm with strong winds so it’s important to thoroughly inspect them before the monsoon season begins.
Check Your Drainage
While it is important to regularly maintain your gutters, it is especially important to clear them out before a big storm rolls in. Gutters help to catch rainfall and ensure that it stays away from the foundation of the building. However, if they are full of leaves and other debris, they can’t possibly do their job effectively. They key is to inspect your gutters and any other external drainage your building may have before the monsoon season begins to ensure your property is prepared for the storms ahead.
Inspect Your Foliage and Trees
Plants and trees can cause some of the most damage during monsoon season in Arizona. Falling branches or trees can destroy your property, vehicles, and even tear down power lines. This is why it is critical to trim any unwieldy tree branches that could potentially snap off and damage your property or anything in the surrounding area before the Arizona monsoon season begins. This limits wind resistance so that strong monsoon winds can more easily pass through.
It’s also important to stake down smaller trees so your plants are not impacted too harshly by the strong wind and rain. And remember, the heavy monsoon rains that often come before the strong winds can loosen the soil and make trees more prone to becoming uprooted. If a tree is uprooted during high winds and its roots become exposed, this can cause unwarranted tree removal costs.
