Arizona's monsoon season, officially running from June 15 through September 30, is one of the most dramatic weather periods in the Southwest. For homeowners in the Phoenix metro area, monsoon season means powerful thunderstorms, torrential downpours, lightning, and perhaps most importantly for your windows, the infamous haboobs: massive dust storms that can tower thousands of feet high and reduce visibility to near zero. Preparing your windows and home before monsoon season hits can save you significant repair costs and cleanup headaches.
Your pre-monsoon window checklist should start in late May or early June, before the first storms arrive. Begin with a thorough professional window cleaning to remove winter and spring dust buildup. Clean windows actually shed water and debris better than dirty ones, because grime creates a rough surface that traps moisture and particles. Next, inspect all window frames and caulking for cracks, gaps, or deterioration. Arizona's extreme heat causes caulk to dry out and shrink faster than in other climates, creating entry points for water during heavy rains.
Screen inspection and cleaning is a critical step many homeowners overlook. Your window screens are the first line of defense against wind-driven debris during monsoon storms. Check every screen for tears, holes, or loose frames. Even small tears can allow sand, pebbles, and debris driven by 60+ mph winds to strike your glass directly. Clean screens also allow better airflow if you open windows during cooler monsoon evenings. Remove each screen, wash it with mild soap and water, let it dry completely, and reinstall it securely. Replace any screens that are damaged beyond repair.
Checking window seals and weatherstripping is essential before the heavy rains arrive. Run your hand around the edges of each window to feel for air leaks. Check the weatherstripping along sliding windows and doors for compression, cracking, or gaps. Water infiltration during monsoon downpours is a common source of interior water damage in Arizona homes, and the windows are often the entry point. If you find damaged seals or weatherstripping, replace them before monsoon season begins. Most hardware stores carry replacement weatherstripping that is a straightforward DIY repair, or your window cleaning professional can point out problems during a routine cleaning visit.
Post-monsoon cleaning is just as important as the preparation. After each major storm (and especially after a haboob), your windows will be coated in a thick layer of fine desert dust mixed with moisture. This sticky combination is far harder to remove than normal dry dust. If left sitting on the glass in the sun, it essentially bakes on. We recommend hosing down your exterior windows within 24 to 48 hours after a major dust storm to prevent the dust from bonding with the glass. Schedule a full professional cleaning at the end of monsoon season (late September or October) to thoroughly address any buildup, hard water deposits, and debris accumulation from the season.
Haboob damage prevention goes beyond just the glass surface. These massive dust storms carry sand and small debris at high speeds, and over time, repeated exposure can cause micro-scratching on glass surfaces, which creates a permanently hazy appearance. Keeping your screens in good condition provides a buffer against the worst of this abrasion. For homes in particularly exposed areas (near open desert, agricultural land, or construction zones), consider investing in impact-resistant window film or protective coatings that add a sacrificial layer between the debris and your glass. After a particularly severe haboob, check your window tracks for sand and debris accumulation; packed tracks can prevent windows from closing and sealing properly.
Don't let monsoon season catch you off guard. AZ Window Shine offers pre-monsoon and post-monsoon cleaning packages designed specifically for Arizona homeowners. We will clean your windows, inspect your screens, and alert you to any seal or weatherstripping issues we spot during service. Schedule your pre-monsoon cleaning today at azwindowshine.com/quote or call (623) 462-3312. Your windows will thank you when the storms roll in.
