Monsoon season in Arizona officially begins each year on June 15, and with it comes high winds, blowing dust, lightning strikes, often heavy rain, and other potentially hazardous stormy conditions.
Keeping up with pool and yard maintenance during this time of year can be tricky. You could spend hours cleaning your pool only to have a huge dust storm blow in to undo all that hard work; or the trees and bushes you’ve carefully shaped and trimmed could become damaged or even destroyed by high winds.
While the weather is unpredictable, there are some things you as a homeowner can do to be proactive about maintaining your pool and landscaped areas during monsoon season. Here are some of our best tips.
Remove debris quickly.
Keeping your yard free of debris is good practice in general, as it will keep your yard safe and clean. This is especially true during monsoon season, when leaves, branches, trash, and more can be blown around your yard. This debris can end up in your pool (potentially clogging drains or filters), or, if it’s large enough, it could cause damage to people or property if it gets blown around in the next storm. For these reasons and more, promptly cleaning up debris after a storm is vital.
Check and maintain pool equipment.
During monsoon season, it’s especially important that your pool pump and filter are working correctly, as they may have to work overtime to filter out monsoon dust. It is generally a good idea to have your equipment inspected at the beginning and end of monsoon season.
Use a pool cover.
A pool cover can help keep large debris out of your pool, which will help prevent clogging or other damage. Keep in mind that debris will pile up on top of the cover after the storm, so remove the cover with care in order to avoid dumping it all into the water.
Keep trees and bushes trimmed.
Well-trimmed trees and bushes are more likely to withstand high winds and heavy rain. Take some time at the start of the season to make sure your trees are properly trimmed, and keep an eye on them throughout the season to ensure they stay that way.
Clean drains regularly.
Pool drains can easily become clogged, which prohibits them from working properly. This can ultimately cause damage to the entire system. You should inspect and clean your pool drain at least once a week, and preferably every day after a storm during monsoon season.
“Super chlorinate” after a storm.
Chlorine pools are susceptible to algae growth after monsoon storms, so it’s a good idea to give them an extra chlorine boost after a storm hits. You can also be proactive about algae growth by using preventative products (algaecide and/or stain preventer) before a storm strikes. Keep an eye on your water chemistry throughout monsoon season to ensure that your water is staying balanced.
Related: Drought-Tolerant Plants for Your Yard
These are best practices for pool and landscape maintenance during monsoon season. By following these tips and using common sense, you can enjoy a safe, beautiful, and well functioning pool and yard, all season long.
