As we delve deeper into summer here in Albuquerque, the familiar dry heat often gives way to those dramatic, drenching monsoon thunderstorms. While the much-needed rain is certainly welcome, the sudden downpours, strong winds, lightning, and potential for flash floods—and even hurricanes—can put a significant strain on your home’s essential systems – especially your HVAC, plumbing, solar, and electrical systems.
At Number One Plumbing, AC, Solar & Electric, we know how quickly an unexpected storm can turn into a costly repair. Being unprepared for monsoon storms can have a major impact on your life and property. It’s important to be aware of potential risks and hazards during monsoon season to help prevent accidents and damage. Insurance carriers play a crucial role in helping homeowners recover from storm-related damages, so understanding what your policy covers is essential. This blog post will outline key steps you can take now to prepare your home for the monsoon season and minimize potential damage.
Protecting Your HVAC System During Monsoon
Your air conditioning works hard to keep your home cool, and monsoon storms can pose unique challenges.
- Professional Inspection: After a storm, it’s important to have a professional inspect your HVAC equipment for signs of corrosion and other damage. A thorough inspection should assess the properties of HVAC components, such as ductwork and outdoor units, to determine if repair or replacement is needed. This helps ensure that any hidden issues are addressed before they become major problems.
- Clear Debris: Remove leaves, branches, and other debris from around your outdoor unit to prevent blockages and damage.
- Check for Water Damage: Inspect the area around your HVAC system for standing water or signs of flooding, which can damage electrical components and lead to mold growth.
- Schedule Maintenance: Regular maintenance helps keep your system running efficiently and can catch small issues before they become costly repairs. After a storm, consider whether to repair or replace damaged equipment; sometimes full replacement or replacing certain parts may be more cost-effective, especially if the damage is extensive.
Ensuring that any repairs or replacements are sufficient to restore your system to proper working order is essential. Professional service is recommended after severe weather to maintain the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your HVAC system.
Power Surge Protection
Lightning strikes or sudden grid fluctuations during storms can deliver damaging power surges to your sensitive HVAC electronics. Consider installing a whole-house surge protector, professionally installed by Number One’s expert electricians. For individual window units, use point-of-use surge protectors. During severe storms, unplug non-essential electronics to safeguard them. Investing in surge protection can help you avoid the high cost of repairing or replacing damaged HVAC equipment.
Outdoor Unit (Condenser) Protection
High winds can kick up dust, debris, and even small branches, which can damage your outdoor AC unit. Heavy rain can also lead to pooling water.
- Clear the Area: Remove any loose items, leaves, branches, or toys from around your outdoor unit. Leaves and debris combined with rainwater can clog drainage systems, causing water to back up around the unit and potentially lead to damage.
- Check Drainage: Ensure the ground around your unit slopes away from it, allowing water to drain properly and prevent pooling. Make sure rainwater from the roof is directed away from the unit to avoid water accumulation and potential damage.
- Professional Inspection: Before the heart of monsoon season, a professional HVAC inspection from Number One can ensure your unit is stable, wiring is secure, and coils are clean and ready to handle the increased demand and moisture.
Indoor Air Quality and Moisture Control
Increased humidity during monsoon season can lead to mold and mildew growth within ducts or on AC coils if not properly managed. During inspections, check for the presence of mold or water damage in ducts and coils to catch issues early.
- Ensure Proper AC Drainage: Make sure your AC’s condensate line is clear and draining efficiently. A clogged line can lead to water backup and potential indoor water damage.
- Consider a Whole-Home Dehumidifier: If your home feels particularly damp even with the AC running, a whole-home dehumidifier can significantly improve comfort and prevent moisture-related issues. Dehumidifiers should be regularly tested to ensure they are functioning properly. Number One can help you explore your options.
- Regular Filter Changes: With more dust and moisture in the air, changing your HVAC filter more frequently during monsoon season is crucial to maintain good indoor air quality and system efficiency.
Fortifying Your Plumbing Against Monsoon Challenges
Heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm your home’s drainage systems. When heavy rains persist for several weeks, storm drains can become clogged or overloaded, increasing the risk of flood and flood damage for homeowners. It is important for homeowners to take precautions and be aware of the danger of flash floods, especially in low-lying areas. During severe flooding events, homeowners should move to higher ground to ensure their safety. Poor drainage can ultimately lead to significant flood damage and costly repairs.
Safeguarding Against Flash Flooding & Runoff
Albuquerque is prone to flash floods. Protecting your home’s foundation starts with proper water management.
- Gutters and Downspouts: Clean your gutters and downspouts thoroughly to remove leaves, dirt, and other debris. Heavy rains can cause leaves and debris to combine and clog gutters, leading to water backup. Ensure downspouts extend several feet away from your home’s foundation to direct water effectively.
- Landscape Grading: Check that your yard slopes away from your home, preventing water from pooling against your foundation.
- Sump Pump (if applicable): While basements are uncommon in Albuquerque and most homes are built on slabs, some properties may have crawl spaces or other areas where water can accumulate. If you have a sump pump installed, it is essential for preventing water buildup in the pit, which collects rain and groundwater. The pit is designed to gather excess moisture and direct it away from your home. Regular testing and maintenance of your sump pump ensure it functions properly during storms. Be sure to check the discharge line for obstructions, as a slow or blocked line can hinder its effectiveness. Consider installing a battery backup to maintain operation during power outages. Number One can assist with sump pump inspections and installations.
Outdoor Faucets & Hoses
High winds can damage hoses left connected, and sudden pressure changes can sometimes impact outdoor fixtures. Protecting outdoor plumbing equipment, such as hoses and spigots, from storm damage is essential to prevent costly repairs.
- Disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots when not in use.
- Ensure all outdoor faucets are free of leaks.
Sewer Backups
While less common, extremely heavy rainfall can occasionally overwhelm municipal sewer systems, leading to backups into homes and increasing the risk of basements becoming flooded due to sewer backups. In residential areas with septic systems, severe flooding can cause septic tanks to float out of the ground if the ground is saturated, so avoid pumping the tank during these conditions to prevent damage.
- Be Mindful of Drains: Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper.
- Consider a Backwater Valve: For homes in areas prone to sewer backups, a professional installation of a backwater valve by Number One Plumbing can provide an extra layer of protection.
Protecting Your Solar & Electrical Systems
Monsoon storms bring unique risks for solar panels and your home’s electrical grid. After a storm, it is important to schedule a professional service to inspect and repair your solar and electrical equipment. This ensures that any damage to the equipment is identified and addressed promptly, helping to restore functionality and maintain safety.
Solar Panel Care
- Post-Storm Cleaning: While rain helps wash away some dust, heavy monsoons can leave behind muddy residue or mineral deposits, reducing panel efficiency. After a severe storm, consider a professional cleaning from Number One’s solar experts to maximize energy production.
- Visual Inspection: After a high-wind storm, visually check your panels for any signs of loose wiring, physical damage, or shifting. Number One offers professional solar inspections to catch subtle issues. It is important to have your solar panels and their connections professionally tested and inspected after severe storms to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Electrical Safety
- Whole-House Surge Protection: As mentioned for HVAC, this is crucial for all sensitive electronics in your home, including smart appliances and computers.
- GFCI Outlets: Ensure all outdoor outlets, and those in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, are protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent electrical shock. If you don’t have them, Number One electricians can install them.
- Downed Power Lines: Never approach or touch downed power lines. Always assume they are live and dangerous. Be aware of the danger they pose after storms, and take all necessary precautions to avoid accidental contact. Report them immediately to PNM and stay far away.
- Emergency Kit: Have an emergency kit ready with flashlights, batteries, a portable charger for phones, and a battery-powered radio in case of power outages.
When to Call Number One Professionals
While some preventative measures are DIY-friendly, certain situations demand the expertise of licensed professionals for your safety and effective solutions. Professional service is crucial to assess whether repair, replacement, or replacing specific components is necessary after storm damage, and to ensure that any repairs are sufficient to restore the HVAC system's full functionality.
HVAC:
- Persistent strange noises from your AC unit after a storm.
- AC not turning on after a power outage (even if power is restored).
- Visible damage to the outdoor unit (e.g., bent fins, shifted position).
- Unusual burning smells.
- Have a professional inspect your HVAC equipment for signs of corrosion and assess the properties of any damaged components.
Plumbing:
- Standing water in a crawl space, especially after a flood or heavy rain. Address flooded areas, water buildup, and slow drains immediately to prevent further flood damage.
- Sudden, unexplained drops in water pressure after a storm.
- Persistent gurgling noises from drains or toilets.
- Visible leaks from pipes or fixtures that won’t stop.
- Sewage backup.
Solar & Electrical:
- Any flickering lights, tripped breakers, or unusual electrical smells after a storm.
- Visible damage to solar panels or wiring.
- Your solar system isn’t producing power after a storm (and the sun is out).
- Any concerns about your electrical panel.
- All solar and electrical equipment should be professionally serviced, repaired, and tested after a storm to ensure the equipment is safe and fully functional.
Emphasize Safety: Remember, electrical and gas systems require professional handling. Never attempt DIY fixes if you’re unsure or if there’s a risk of electrical shock or gas leak. Your safety is Number One’s top priority.
Don't Let Monsoon Catch You Off Guard!
The Albuquerque monsoon season can bring much-needed rain, but it also brings the potential for significant damage if your home isn’t prepared. Take these proactive steps now to protect your peace of mind and your home’s essential systems. Check with your insurance carriers to ensure that storm-related damages are covered and that you have the right cover in place. Taking preventive steps now can help reduce the cost of repairs and recovery after a storm. If your home experiences flood damage, allow it to rest and dry out before you begin repairs.
For professional HVAC, plumbing, solar, or electrical inspections, maintenance, or if you encounter any storm-related issues, contact Number One Plumbing, AC, Solar & Electric today. We’re here to help Albuquerque homes stay safe, comfortable, and efficient, no matter what the weather brings!
