If you're beginning the process of planning to build a new home in an area that receives a significant amount of precipitation, you're probably wondering if there's any secret sauce to building a home that will stand up constant exposure to moisture and humidity. You probably already know or have guessed some common-sense strategies, such as not building your house in a hollow where excess water is likely to pool. However, there may be important factors that you haven't thought of yet. Following are 4 features designed to provide optimal comfort and durability in homes built in wet climates. 

Solid Foundations

Solid foundations are essential in homes that are built in areas where soggy ground is a part of the picture during the rainy season in order to help prevent the structure from sinking. The foundation should ideally be strong enough to hold the home at least several inches off the ground to help keep the wooden components from being overly exposed to mud and backsplash. The surrounding ground should also be graded away from the structure to eliminate the possibility of standing water pooling around the foundation.

Proper Caulking and Sealing

Making sure everything's sealed and caulked properly is particularly important in areas with high humidity because indoor environments that are too humid provide an optimal breeding ground for mold and mildew infestations. Not only do mold and mildew have the potential to cause structural damage to the home if allowed to continue to expand uncontrolled, certain types of fungal organisms, such as black mold, may create serious allergic reactions in some people. These can be quite serious, especially when they occur in children, senior citizens, and those with compromised immune systems. 

Pitched Roofs

Although it may not seem obvious at first, pitched roofs are far more suitable for wet climates than their flat counterparts. Significant buildup of snow on a roof can cause unnecessary strain that may eventually result in serious damage, and rain pooling on a flat roof may result in erosion of roofing materials and the development of moss and lichen. 

Cedar Construction 

Because it's native to the temperate rain forests of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, Western Cedar is an excellent choice for home construction in wet climates because it's naturally water-resistant. As an added bonus, it's also resistant to certain types of wood-boring insects that can wreak havoc on wooden structures and features a pleasant, woodsy aroma. 

Contact a company like Liese  Lumber Co Inc for any lumber needs.