The Different Ways the Summer Weather Can Damage Your Home
Summer is a time for fun in the sun but can also be a time for disaster. The summer weather can cause all sorts of damage to your home if you’re not careful. From water damage to wind damage, the potential for problems is high. And considering the way lazy summers work, it can be easy to overlook these problems. Over time these problems grow and can result in massive repairs to your home. So, what exactly does summer affect your house?
Roofs: One of the major functions of a roof is to protect you against the elements. But unlike snow damage, which is instantly visible, summer damage on your roof worsens over time. While the damages are subtle, they build up over time and cause a massive problem to your roof. Your shingles are also susceptible to damage if you have an attic. Since attics don’t have a proper system for air circulation, they trap heat and humidity. This not only deteriorates the shingles but also has a high chance of mold overgrowth.
Foundations: The summer heat can also damage your foundation. The high temperatures put stress on the concrete and cause it to expand. This expansion puts pressure on the soil around it and can cause cracks in your foundation. The constant exposure to water can also erode the soil, which will eventually lead to sinkholes.
Paint: Another casualty of the summer weather is paint. Whether it’s from the sun or humidity, both can cause paint to peel and chip off. Not only does this affect the look of your home, but it also provides an opening for pests and moisture to get inside your home.
Hardwood floors: One of the most common summer damages to hardwood floors is warping. This happens when the humidity causes the wood to swell and then contract as it dries. The constant swelling and contracting weakens the floor’s structure and can eventually lead to cracks.
Furniture and decor: Summer weather can also wreak havoc on your furniture and decor. The sun can fade fabrics, and the humidity can cause wood to warp. If you have any antiques or delicate items, it’s best to keep them stored away during the summer months.
Pipes: The summer heat can cause pipes to expand and contract. This expansion and contraction stresses the pipes and can eventually lead to leaks. The humidity can also cause corrosion, which will lead to leaks over time.
While the scorching sun can be an enemy of your home’s structural integrity, there are more than a few things that you can do to ensure that your home doesn’t have the worst of summers.
Regular inspection: One of the best ways to prevent problems in your house is regular inspection. And while most homeowners like to wing their regular inspections, we advise you to build a regular schedule for inspections. First, determine how frequently you want to inspect your house. Will it be monthly, weekly, or quarterly? Some people like to do it semi-annually while doing it annually can also be an option. Once you have narrowed down the frequency, separate if you will monitor the entire house at one go or check different parts at different times. Usually, it’s best to check different parts at different times as it allows for a quality inspection.
Get an audit from a professional: While a regular inspection of your house is a great way to prevent summer damages, getting an audit from a professional can also help. Professional home auditors are trained to look for potential problems in your house. They will also be able to give you advice on how to prevent these problems.
Take care of the problem immediately: If you find any damage in your house, it’s important to take care immediately. Problems like foundation damage, crawlspace damage, and roof damage worsen over time. And if you are late, these problems could carry into the winter months. And depending on where you live, it might be difficult to perform construction works in the winter.
Take protective measures against summer damage: Remember, the repair is not the only solution to your problems. If you are wary of summer or weather damage in general, you can adopt several preventive measures. For the roofs, it’s best to get a professional roofing inspection done and then take the necessary steps. For your foundation, you can waterproof it or use a ground cover to protect it from the sun and heat. For your hardwood floors, you can use area rugs in high-traffic areas. And for your furniture and decor, you can use slipcovers or move them to a cool, dry place.
While there are a few things that you can do to prevent summer damage to your home, it’s important to take care of any problems that you do find immediately. Problems like foundation damage, crawlspace damage, and even roof damage will only worsen if they’re not fixed immediately. And depending on where you live, it might be difficult to perform construction work on your home in the winter months if you wait too long to fix the problem. So if you want to avoid any stressful surprises down the road, keep a close eye on your home during the summer months and take care of any problems as soon as they arise.
