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What New Phoenix Homeowners Should Know About Exterior Home Maintenance

Sep 1
3 min read

Moving into a home in Phoenix means dealing with a climate that can be hard on exterior surfaces and equipment.


Intense sun, dust, monsoon storms, hard water, solar panels, roof tiles, and pigeon activity can all create maintenance issues over time.


Here are some of the main things new Phoenix homeowners should watch.






Check the Roof Regularly


Your roof is exposed to Arizona weather every day.


You do not need to climb onto it yourself, but periodically look for obvious issues such as:

  • Cracked or displaced roof tiles

  • Missing materials

  • Debris buildup

  • Signs of bird activity

  • Damage after storms


If something looks wrong, a roofer can inspect it more closely.



Keep an Eye on Your Solar Panels


If your new home has solar panels, find out when they were last cleaned and whether they have had any recent service.


Dust, pollen, bird droppings, and other debris can accumulate on the glass surface.


If the panels have visible buildup or have not been cleaned in a long time, Cheetah provides solar panel cleaning in Phoenix.



Watch for Pigeons Under the Panels


Solar panels can create protected space underneath the array where pigeons may roost or nest.


The problem can be difficult to see from the ground.


Signs to watch for include:

  • Pigeons repeatedly disappearing underneath the panels

  • Droppings collecting around the same part of the home

  • Feathers

  • Nesting material

  • Birds spending long periods on the roof


If pigeons are already established, cleaning the panels alone will not keep them from returning underneath.



Check Other Areas Where Birds Can Nest


Pigeons do not only use solar panels.


They may also use:

  • Roof eaves

  • Rooftop AC equipment

  • Patio covers

  • Roof overlaps

  • Covered ledges

  • Other sheltered openings


If you keep finding droppings in one area, look above it to see where the birds may be spending their time.




Pay Attention to Irrigation Overspray


Hard water can leave mineral deposits behind when it repeatedly dries on exterior surfaces.


Check that sprinklers are not constantly spraying onto:

  • Windows

  • Stucco

  • Solar panels

  • Vehicles

  • Walls

  • Patio surfaces


Correcting the sprinkler direction early can prevent much heavier mineral buildup later.



Look at the House After Monsoon Storms


After strong wind or rain, walk around the property and look for anything that appears different.


Check for:

  • Displaced roof tiles

  • Loose materials

  • Debris on solar panels

  • Loose bird mesh

  • Exterior damage


Catching a visible problem after a storm can be much easier than discovering it months later.



Keep an Eye on Stucco


Phoenix homes commonly use stucco exteriors.


Check occasionally for new cracks, staining, water marks, or other noticeable changes.


A small cosmetic crack is not automatically a major structural problem, but changes are worth monitoring.


Bird droppings should also be cleaned before heavy buildup develops.



Check Your AC Equipment


Air conditioning is especially important in Phoenix.


Know the age of your system and keep up with recommended HVAC maintenance.


If the equipment is located on the roof, look around it for signs of bird nesting or debris.


Pigeons sometimes use protected areas around rooftop equipment in addition to solar panels.



Check Existing Bird Mesh After Other Contractors Visit


If the home already has bird mesh installed around the solar panels, inspect it after roofing, HVAC, or solar work.


Technicians sometimes need access underneath or around the array.


If a section of mesh is removed or moved and not properly restored, pigeons may be able to get underneath again.



Do Not Ignore a Small Pigeon Problem


Seeing a pigeon land on your roof once does not necessarily mean you have an infestation.

Repeated behavior is more important.


If pigeons are entering the same protected space every day, the problem is much easier to address before years of nests and droppings accumulate.



Create a Simple Maintenance Routine


Exterior maintenance does not need to become complicated.


A quick walk around the house every few months, plus another inspection after major storms or contractor work, can catch many obvious problems.


Focus on the roof, solar panels, irrigation, AC equipment, exterior surfaces, and recurring bird activity.



The Bottom Line


New Phoenix homeowners should pay attention to the parts of the property that take the most abuse from Arizona weather.


Regularly checking the roof, solar panels, irrigation, exterior surfaces, and bird activity can help you identify problems while they are still relatively small.


For local help, Cheetah provides solar panel cleaning in Phoenix and pigeon control in Phoenix.

 
 
 

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