Living in the Arizona desert of Scottsdale means homeowners get plenty of sunshine along with some difficult weather conditions such as stifling heat, dust storms, and monsoons. If you want keep your home in good condition, you’ll need to take the steps necessary to protect against the most common types of desert home distress.
Take Steps to Prevent Water Damage
Well known for its monsoon season, living in Arizona means you need to learn to protect your home and property from heavy rains and windy weather. You’ll want to specifically check:
Driveways. Rainwater may cause your foundation to wash away, leaving spaces around your concrete or asphalt drive. Under the weight of heavy vehicles, you’re likely to see cracks. Your best bet is to direct the water away from your drive or other foundation such as your home, sidewalk, and patio.
Gutters. Do you check your gutters at least annually? Gutters fill up with debris such as leaves, twigs, and just general gunk. When they do, they don’t drain properly and water may spill out or add unwanted weight. This can cause your gutters to sag or leak. Excess water overflow will ruin your paint and damage wood. After you clean them, make sure to re-caulk with a silicone or gutter sealant.
Decks. Wooden decks can take a real beating in a rainstorm. However, so can any of your home’s wooden structures like overhangs and beams. One small piece of rotten wood can grow over time. The North American Deck and Railing Association suggest you pay special attention to the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house along with any areas regularly exposed to water. Use a deck cleaner to remove mold and mildew.
Prevent Damage from Dust Storms
According to a one-page flyer from the City of Beaumont in California, you can help prevent dust from entering your home by:
- Closing all openings and sealing doors and windows areas with damp towels
- Sealing the outside of windows and doors with duct tape
- Covering attic vents
- Limiting how often you open external doors, especially those facing into the wind
- Not using your air conditioner
Additionally, be sure to secure any exterior items such as furniture, garbage cans, barbecues, and lighting fixtures.
Once a dust storm has passed, remove window and vent covers to restore air circulation, and inspect the attic, pool and filter, and air conditioner for dust.
Prevent Hot Weather Damage to Your Scottsdale Home
While hot weather is great for taking a dip in the pool, it’s rough on the exterior of your home. Over time, extreme weather can cause the paint on your home to peel, blister, wrinkle, chalk, stain, and crack.
Protect your home’s exterior from extreme heat by doing things such as:
- Repainting it every five years
- Protecting unpainted wood with weatherproofing stains that contain UV inhibitors
- Using trees as shade to protect it from direct sunlight
- Overly dry soil can cause your foundation to shift, so keep it moist
A home is a major investment. Don’t let the extreme weather conditions of the Arizona desert damage it. Scottsdale homeowners insure against losses through regular home maintenance and by carrying the right homeowner’s insurance policy.
To find the right auto or home insurance policy for you, contact our Scottsdale, AZ insurance office today.
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