Monsoon season is almost here — is your roof ready?

Joy Seitz

Submitted photo

A recent long-range forecast from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center states that Arizona is slated to experience “above normal” rainfall this summer. Monsoon season is synonymous with heavy precipitation (occasionally, even flooding), high-powered wind gusts and dust storms that coat patio furniture, pools and exposed vehicles in curtains of debris.

Monsoon weather can arrive quickly and catch homeowners off guard. One often overlooked, yet vital part of an Arizona home’s defense against extreme weather is the roof. Due to the unpredictability of monsoon season, it is best to prepare one’s roof and solar panels now, while the weather is temperate and calm, to avoid being surprised by potentially costly repairs later this summer.

Follow these tips now to ensure your home is monsoon-ready.

Prune your trees

If your home’s landscaping includes trees, be mindful of their proximity to the roof, as branches that whip against roofing materials during high winds can crack shingles and tiles. I recommend you prune your trees now to discourage growth that could cause damage later. Debris, such as fallen leaves and twigs, can also build up on your roof and deteriorate it as it degrades.

Clean your gutters

Your home’s gutters cannot capture rain runoff from your roof if they are clogged with tree leaves or dirt. Worst still, wet and leaf-filled gutters can draw insects, like mosquitos, and become a favored hunting ground for scorpions. I recommend clearing out gutters at least twice per year, and especially before monsoon season, to reduce the likelihood of blockages. If water accumulates in your gutters, it can lead to costly damage like roof leaks, warped roof decking, shingle deterioration and erosion of soil around the foundation of your property from water overflow.

Book an appointment with your solar installer

Protect your investment in solar now by proactively working with your installer, who can ensure that your panels are securely fixed in place and won’t dislodge from their mounts during a monsoon. While the panels themselves will survive a monsoon, the mounts that connect them to your roof need consistent maintenance. Your installer will also be able to identify loose wires hanging from panels that need to be either tucked away or replaced.

Work with a roofing professional

Roofing professionals are trained to locate damage where the untrained eye might not know where to look. Schedule a roofing inspection prior to monsoon season, so an expert can evaluate your roofing materials for rotten wood, damaged or cracked shingles and tiles, and degraded sealing around your roof’s pipe jacks. Left alone, these seemingly “small” defects can become a financial headache later if a leak occurs.

Editor’s note: Joy Seitz is CEO and owner of Phoenix-based American Solar & Roofing. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.