How Can Hot Weather Damage Your Home?

Often, the summertime can feel like a relief from the cold of the winter. It can also pose minor damage in your home than in colder seasons in specific ways. However, the heat can also come with its unique challenges that you will face when it comes to protecting your home. Any harsh weather conditions might damage both the interior and exterior of a house. Here are the main considerations of how hot weather can damage a home and how you can help prevent it.

The Foundation

A house's foundation can be at risk in the summer because heat is naturally very drying. Since foundations use surrounding soil as the main support system, it can be compromised when the ground heats up. The soil shrinks, and moisture evaporates, potentially causing the soil and footing to separate, damaging the foundation. You can help avoid this from happening by keeping the consistent moisture surrounding your home's foundation. This can easily be done with a sprinkler system. Another way to help prevent the drying of the foundation is to remove any large trees near the house, as the roots draw up moisture, creating drought-like conditions in the proximity.

The Roof

Often, attics are not equipped with the best airflow (and maybe the hottest part of the house during a heatwave); therefore, roofs are highly susceptible to heat damage. Humidity easily builds up in an attic, and the excess heat and moisture under the roof may lead to the deterioration of the shingles. Although, if the ducts are properly maintained, the ventilation can undoubtedly help manage this issue. Keep in mind that heat can also cause a roof to expand and warp, leading to the cracking of shingles and inevitably leaking. Note that if the caulk around the flashing dries out, this will also weaken the structure of your roof. It is advised to coat and seal the roof to protect against harmful UV rays. A lighter color roof is a little less at risk. Be sure to check your roof regularly and promptly address any red flags, and secure adequate home insurance,  so you are not just out of luck when a big disaster occurs.

Hardwood Floors

The combination of heat and humidity can be pretty damaging to hardwood floors as they can quickly wrap. Wood absorbs moisture and therefore expands. When this occurs on hardwood floors, the edges of the floorboards push upward, creating an uneven surface and potentially even buckling (pulling up and away from the subfloor entirely). If it is not too severe, sometimes the moisture dries up, and the floors return to their original shape, but if the floors are in poor condition for too long, they can crack and become permanently damaged. Whole-home dehumidifiers can be very beneficial in managing humidity levels. You can also use minimal water when cleaning the floors to help speed up the evaporation process.

The Pipes

The plumbing of a home is also at risk during extreme heat. Improper sealing can cause pipes to leak and even burst, particularly in times of high water usage (pressure from swimming pools, garden hoses, sprinklers and daily chores). You can help avoid this by having a plumber check the caulking and sealing around your pipes as part of your regular maintenance. If drying has been left unaddressed for too long, it can cause water lines to disconnect or rupture. Also, main water lines can crack or leak. Ensure the soil bordering your home is maintained and watered in hotter months.

About David G. Sayles Insurance Services

At David G. Sayles Insurance Services, we help our clients decide which of these options is best for them based on their current situation and risk factors. Contact us at 1-855-977-1842 or insureme@dsayles.mysites.io for a consultation.