With Tucson rain comes problems for homeowner

The entire Tucson area was completely saturated with rain this past weekend, and though this will result in an abundance of colorful wild flowers in Spring, it can also create some annoying problems for homeowners.

The first thing I notice in my home after several days of rainy weather in Tucson is the bugs. Suddenly I find crickets everywhere, sneaking in through ceiling air vents or through my garage. I understand that heavy rains force them to find a safe, dry environment, but they can move into my neighbors house. Termites also become a big problem when Tucson sees excessive rain. Arizona termites aren't as aggressive as you might find in more humid climates, but they can be a pain if you don't control them. Usually homeowners will see termites pop up during our summer monsoon season, but the December rains we've been seeing are sure to bring them out of hiding. Just in the last few days I've noticed a larger then normal number of pest control companies treating homes.

Yet another problem homeowners are seeing right now are roof leaks. Only after heavy rains do we find those aggravating little leaks that we usually miss due to our mostly dry climate. Just today I had a neighbor tell me they noticed a leak after this weekend's rains and they were in need a roofing company referral. Unfortunately the company I referred is already backed up until mid January with other roofing jobs. That's one problem I encounter a lot when trying to schedule roof inspections or repairs for clients in the summer. Tucson monsoons can delay roofing repairs for weeks if not months depending on the amount of rain we get.

One problem that many new to Tucson don't expect to find is mold. Although it's not directly related to rain per se, excessive moisture is known to cause mold in Arizona homes. Mold can drift inside from the outdoors and grow on wood, carpet and paper if left untreated . Musty smells and water damage can be signs of mold, but it's best to have a professional inspection if you think you might have a mold problem. Luckily we have the Arizona Mold Dog that can sniff out mold in a flash! To find out more about mold in the home check out the Mold Information Sheet provided by the Arizona Dept of Health Services.

None of these problems are all that significant; it's a matter of catching them in time. Homeowners just need to keep their eyes open and fix the little issues before they become big and expensive.