Your home is supposed to be a place where you can chill out and relax. The idea of chilling out can sometimes be difficult though, especially when the average temperature in some parts of the USA during the summer can reach heights of 134F.
This type of heat can be detrimental to both your state of mind and to your home. As such, let’s look at some of the ways these temperatures can affect your life, and what you can do to protect your home.
Look After Your Roof
Let’s start from the very top. Your roof is the first part of your house that is going to take direct sunlight. Too much of these excessive sun beams over a long period of time will cause damage to appear, cracking your shingles or tearing through the material. Of course, even a small gap in your roof is going to cause a leak that you will not notice until the weather changes.
One way to avoid this type of damage is by adding a sealant to your roof that blocks UV rays. These kinds of solutions aren’t permanent, so try to keep on top of it when possible. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a professional check for damage on a regular basis. Maintenance is key when it comes to property.
Check The Interiors
It is never a good idea to wander around in the heat outside during the summer. Staying indoors is a good way to shield yourself from the sun and prevent any of the health conditions associated with excessive heat. So how are you supposed to check for home damage while locked indoors?
Luckily, there are some signs of heat damage that you should look for while shut inside. The paint on your inside walls is going to react when the weather outside becomes too hot. All kinds of interior paint starts to bubble and peel from the walls when it dries out too much. While this behaviour is a good indicator of the weather outside, it does need fixing at some point.
Flaked off paint creates gaps for drops of moisture to sit in, which in turn can into mould if not treated immediately. This will only start to happen when the weather turns cold, but by then it may too late. Again, regular checks can prevent this build up, but try to paint over any gaps caused by the heat.
Keep An Eye On Your Plumbing
The creaking of pipes in your home may startle you from time to time, but you will be far more startled if these pipes become damaged. This creaking is caused by the expansion and retraction of the metal that your pipes are made of. It is a perfectly natural part of owning a home, but too much creaking can be a bad sign.
Listen out for these noises during the summer as it can be a good indicator of how your pipes are coping. Too much expansion from the hot weather outside can cause leaks, something that can damage your home even further.
Also, your thirst will cause you to use the taps a lot more when it gets warm. On top of this you will be filling up pools, having more showers and using sprinkler systems. This excess usage can wear away the sealant between the pipes, making it more possible that they spring a leak. You don’t want to find yourself without a water source in summer.
If you hear your pipes moving around more often than normal, then it is time to call in a plumber to get them checked. A pipe leak should leave a damp patch in the affected area but the summer heat can dry it up quickly. You may fail to notice this leak before it gets excessive. That is why your ears are the best maintenance tool during a heatwave.
Wood
The pipes aren’t the only thing that will expand during a heatwave. Wood is used in all manner of places around your home, and it too is about to start expanding.
Wooden floors can crack under the pressure of expansion, so too can your wooden wall panels. The only way to keep these surfaces safe is by using a dehumidifier to suck the heat from the air. Also, try not to wash them as often as water in the cracks can be another cause of rising mould.
These are easy fixes; however, wood can also be used as a part of home construction. Wooden beams and supports are common in the American home, so try to learn where these supports are. Maintenance is going to prevent long lasting damage, but you may want to look at replacing some of these materials if you can afford it.
Irreversible damage to these parts takes a long time to form so you are in no rush, but it is still worth doing some research. You can always start by asking real estate agents like the ones at EZ Home Search. Their site will let you easily search real estate in Florence and other warmer climates to see what materials are used on these homes. Real estate in Florence isn’t going to offer a one to one comparison with the USA, but its humid climate can still provide some pointers.
Get That Heat Out
It sounds like an easy solution on paper, but releasing the heat that builds up in your home is essential to preventing lasting heat damage. Humidity can build and store in certain areas of your home making it stuffy and dangerous. This humidity can turn to moisture when temperatures drop, creating a damp problem in the affected areas.
It is more likely to occur in closed off areas like the attic or basement, so try to install a small window at least to let the heat escape. It might seem fruitless during the day, but this humidity will escape when temperatures cool down at night.
You will probably have all the windows open during the summer anyway, but try to remember this trick when it starts to get warm again.
Look After Yourself
The high temperatures in summer are a problem for your home, but try to remember that they are also a problem for you too. You will struggle to do any of things listed above if you become too ill from the heat, so look after yourself.
The heat can cause all sorts of illnesses such as cancer, heat stroke, exhaustion and flu. These effects don’t even cover the other problems that humans can experience from being too warm, such as lack of sleep, loss of appetite and sores. All of these ailments come with lasting illnesses of their own, which all sounds very doom and gloom. That is because it is driving home a point. Be careful in the summer and don’t over exert yourself. Your home repairs are important but your health should come above all else. Only tackle these issues in the summer months if you feel capable.
Conclusion
There is a lot going on under your roof and you’ll be surprised what an increase in temperature can do. However, you can cease any lasting damage with simple maintenance tips and by looking after yourself.
