Every year between June and September, Arizona homeowners face a unique challenge. The monsoon storms bring intense rain that can overwhelm drainage systems and expose weaknesses in your plumbing.
Here are three things you should check before the first big storm rolls in.
Dust and debris accumulate in floor drains during the dry months. A clogged drain during a monsoon downpour means water backs up into your garage or laundry room.
Locate your sewer cleanout cap outside your home. Make sure it is accessible and not buried under landscaping. During heavy rain, municipal sewer systems can back up, and you need quick access to this valve.
Monsoon humidity accelerates corrosion on water heater tanks and connections. Look for rust spots, drips, or green oxidation on copper fittings.
If any of these checks reveal problems, it is worth calling a licensed plumber in your area before the storms hit. A preventive visit now costs a fraction of emergency repairs during a flood.
]]>This is the simplest thing you can do, and most homeowners forget it. During peak cooling months (May through September), check your filter every 30 days. A clogged filter forces your system to work harder, drives up your electric bill, and can lead to frozen evaporator coils.
A standard pleated filter costs about $8. Compare that to a $200 service call for a frozen system on a Saturday afternoon in July.
Your condenser unit needs airflow to function properly. Walk outside and check — is there anything within two feet of the unit? Trim back any plants, remove debris, and make sure nothing is blocking the fins.
In the desert, dust buildup on the condenser coils is a major efficiency killer. Gently rinse the exterior coils with a garden hose once a month. Never use a pressure washer — you’ll bend the fins.
A programmable thermostat can save you 10-15% on cooling costs. Set it to 78 degrees when you’re home and 85 when you’re away. Every degree below 78 adds roughly 3% to your energy bill.
If you’re still using a manual thermostat, upgrading to a smart model pays for itself within one summer season in Arizona.
Leaky ducts can waste 20-30% of the air your system produces. Check accessible ductwork in your attic or crawlspace for obvious gaps, disconnected joints, or damaged insulation. Attic temperatures in Arizona homes regularly exceed 150 degrees — any gap in your ductwork means you’re pumping cooled air into that oven.
If you see damage, call a professional. Duct sealing is one of the highest-ROI home improvements in our climate.
A qualified HVAC technician can catch problems you can’t see — low refrigerant levels, electrical issues, worn capacitors, or failing motors. Schedule your tune-up in March or April, before the rush hits. During peak season, you might wait days for an available technician.
Most reputable companies in the Phoenix area offer seasonal maintenance plans between $150-250 per year that include priority scheduling — worth every penny when your system goes down on a Friday afternoon in August.
Arizona is one of the hardest environments for residential HVAC systems in the country. A little prevention goes a long way. Take care of your AC now, and it’ll take care of you when you need it most.
Need help finding a reliable service professional in your area? Check out The Toolbox Pro to connect with vetted local contractors who know Arizona homes.
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