Better safe then sorry when it comes to being prepared in our Arizona monsoon season which started June 13 and will go until Sept 15. Here are some ways you can protect your home and your sanity.
Install guttersSome areas of a house that can typically use gutter are: under the scuppers that drain water off a flat roof. You’ll want gutters to pick up the water and drain it down off the roof away from the house.
Check your roofFoam roofs should be checked for any signs of damage. If you’ve had leaks in the recent past, get the damage repaired or maybe even replace your roof. Areas around pipes, vents and other penetrations in your roof should be sealed. Simply cleaning your roof (especially a flat roof) can help when the winds pick up and the rain piles on.
Power outagesStock your home with flashlights, candles and matches that are easy to find in an emergency. Keep the phone number of your power company handy so you can check on the status of your neighborhood’s power.
Electrical panelLabel the different sections of your panel so that you can easily see where the circuit breakers are for each room or area of your house. That way, you can turn power back on more easily if a breaker trips during a storm.
Prune and thin trees near your house
You don’t want branches sweeping over the roof that can damage tiles or shingles during a storm. You don’t want limbs breaking off and hitting the house or your car.
Improve the drainage in your yard
Add drains to your driveways, sidewalks and patios. Divert the water to areas away from your house and away from your neighbor’s house.