Four hidden threats many homeowners miss
Aug 28, 2017, 3:45 PM | Updated: Sep 4, 2018, 4:34 pm
The Southwestern desert has two distinct wet seasons most years. Summer brings monsoonal flows, and winter can be accompanied by heavy rains. The reality is frequently a stark contrast to the image of non-stop sunshine and winter golfing.
“The North American Monsoon System is perhaps the least-understood of all of large-scale circulations patterns that affect the United States,” reports the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. “The thunderstorms that are generated by the monsoon system can bring life-giving and beneficial rains, but can also be life-taking as they unleash violent flash floods, thousands of lightning strikes, crop-damaging hail, and walls of damaging winds and blowing dust.”
These wet seasons bring a variety of headaches for homeowners because many problems resulting from excess water are nearly invisible until they become quite serious. The key is to prevent water problems by controlling water flow and runoff.
Here are some of the hidden problems plaguing homeowners when the desert offers up too much water.
Mold
Anytime there is excessive moisture, mold can result. Mold grows best in damp, warm environments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, Arizona monsoons produce ideal conditions for mold growth.
The CDC reports exposure to indoor mold can cause coughing and wheezing in otherwise healthy people, asthma symptoms in people with asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible individuals.
Mold removal can be difficult and expensive, so preventing it from occurring saves money.
Termites
Scorpions, spiders and fire ants are the creepy crawly creatures most people associate with desert climates. While those exist, the most damaging and destructive insects are undoubtedly termites. Arizona is in Termite Infestation Probability Zone 2, which means the potential for termite damage is significant, and infestation levels range from moderate to heavy, according to termites.com.
Termites tend to swarm on a warm day after rainfall, so the monsoon season is like ringing a dinner bell for termites. Prevention is the best defense against termites and, because they need moisture to thrive, one of the best prevention methods is to make certain your house stays dry.
Faulty gutters
Rain gutters and downspouts are important tools in the battle to keep water away from your home and foundation. When they don’t function properly, instead of moving water away from your home, they tend to dump the water next to your home’s foundation or even under the eaves. In either instance, water can seep into walls, where it creates the ideal circumstances for mold or those nasty termites.
Roof problems
A solid, well-maintained roof is your home’s best defense against water issues. Unfortunately, because of their location, many roofing problems go unseen until a major leak damages the interior of your home or leads to one of the other problems mentioned.
Early fall is the perfect time to have your roof inspected and repaired. It’s after the monsoon season, and wet winter storms have yet to arrive. Some problems, like losing flashing around a chimney, have easy fixes. In other cases, you might need more significant repairs or a roof replacement. Whatever the case, it is cheaper to deal with the issue before it results in more damage.
To protect your home against mold, termites and other damage that can result from water seeping in, it makes sense to call a local company experienced in solving roofing problems for a free roof inspection.
Since 1994, KY-KO-Roofing has replaced tens of thousands of roofs in the Valley. Over 50% of our business is from referral or repeat customers and that when surveyed over 95% say they would refer us to a friend or family member. KY-KO Roofing Systems specializes in installation, maintenance, repairs, all roof types, foam, flat, shingle, tile, residential, commercial and industrial. Visit us at www.kykoroofing.com or call 602.353.7187 to schedule a free roof check up.