The Effects of Excessive Heat on Homes: What You Need to Know

With the summer heat here and likely here to stay, we thought we’d take the opportunity to talk about the effects of excessive heat on our homes. We know we need to take precautions with our loved ones and pets, but what about our homes? Read on for the areas of your home to keep an eye on when temps are excessively high.

PAINT

Excessive heat can lead to paint damage on the exterior of your home. Look for bubbling, chipping, and flaking paint after a stretch of extreme temperatures. This damage can cause openings that lead to moisture and potentially, mold issues inside your home. If you’re repainting your home, consider using elastomeric paint, which creates a barrier against this type of moisture.

WOOD

Excessive heat and sun will dry out your home’s wood structures like your deck. The wood will become discolored and its coating will crack and peel. If you need to restain your deck, look for a protective coating product and be sure to strip the current layer thoroughly before reapplying.

ROOF

Your home’s roof really takes a beating in excessive heat. Direct, hot sun will cause blistering and cracking on any roof material, particularly asphalt shingles.

Attics, which are usually the hottest part of the house, can see a buildup of humidity, sending excess of heat and moisture under the roof. As a result, shingles will deteriorate at an accelerated rate. Properly maintaining your ducts and ensuring your attic is well ventilated can go a long way in preventing these issues.

High temperatures can also lead to the expansion and warping of a roof, leading to cracked shingles that can leak. They can also dry out the caulk around your roof’s flashing and damage your roof structurally. To prevent such issues, install vapor barriers and coat and seal the roof against UV rays. Also, do regular maintenance checks to make sure everything is in shape.

FOUNDATION

Your home’s foundation is designed to use the surrounding soil as its support system. As the ground around your home heats up, the soil shrinks and the moisture evaporates. This causes the soil to separate from the footing, which can cause major damage to the foundation. Be sure to keep the moisture consistent (with sprinklers) around the foundation to avoid this problem. Also, make sure no large trees are close to your house since trees also pull moisture through the ground and can create even drier conditions in the area.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The effects of this excessive heat on homes are not to be underestimated! Roofing, foundations, paint, wood structures are especially vulnerable. If you’re making any home improvements in these areas, use materials designed for high heat and sunlight. Make sure your attic is well ventilated and the soil around your foundation doesn’t dry out. Regular maintenance now will go a long way in protecting your home in the long run.

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