How To Protect Your Backyard From Extreme Weather

As we continue to experience the Monsoon season’s storms, and have just put an especially devastating round of rainfall and winds behind us that have left streets, homes, and businesses in disarray, it seems appropriate to discuss how to protect your backyard from extreme weather. Alternatively, if it is too late for that, these tips will outline how to correct the issues and protect your home from the damage caused by such disastrous weather in the future.

Proper Lawn Drainage 

We may not see a lot of rain for most months out of the year here in the desert southwest, but we do have seasonal rainfalls, such as during Monsoon season. And as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours (literally)! Because rain is not a regular occurrence for us, proper drainage is not always addressed when streets and homes are built. As a result, when it does rain, the excess water does not have anywhere to escape to. This can lead to the water collecting and backing up into yards and homes, leading to major water damage and reconstruction costs.

The rules of proper lawn drainage are simple. The water will always follow gravity’s pull to the lowest point available. If the water can’t penetrate the ground at this point, it will try to either run somewhere else or get trapped. Installing drains to allow the water to run off at this very section of your property will ensure that the water can’t collect over long periods of time until it damages your home’s foundation or the interior.

Tree and Plant Protection 

After a storm’s heavy winds have subsided, trees and plants are often left uprooted, twisted, or with broken branches. In Arizona, we love our large shade trees on our properties as they offer us some protection from the blistering heat. But if left to grow without strategic pruning, especially those trees that sit closest to the house, can cause serious structural and roof damage to a home, if the tree topples or large branches break off as a result of heavy winds.

In order to reduce the risk of roof damage due to surrounding trees, new trees should be planted an appropriate distance from the home, and existing trees should be pruned to avoid overgrowth and encroachment onto the roof area.

Secure Your Patio 

Something that homeowners often overlook in preparing their home for extreme weather is the securing of patio furniture, such as chairs and tables, as well as barbecue grills and large umbrellas. It is amazing how far one of those umbrellas can fly once it catches the breeze, and how easily a patio chair can shatter your glass door as it falls over.

All movable furniture should be secured or stored in a safe place, such as the garage until the storm is over. This will not only protect your furniture from sustaining damage, but also your home. Larger objects, such as your retractable canvas awning, should be retracted and secured prior to the onset of bad weather to ensure that nothing is damaged during strong winds, rain, or hail.

Should any of your backyard patio covers sustain storm damage during extreme weather, or just require routine maintenance, contact our experienced team at Mesa Awning today for more information to ensure your backyard remains both beautiful and functional for years to come.