As we approach the hottest month of the year, it's important to think about the changes the heat from the sun may cause in your home. Over time, exterior areas can (and will) start to deteriorate. You should be engaging in proactive maintenance and repairs to reduce the amount of damage the heat might cause.
Hot Weather's Impact on Your Roof
If your attic doesn't have proper ventilation, heat can cause the wood inside your attic to warp. Over time, this can lead to damaged wood and structural problems. On top of your roof, shingles may st
art to curl or even fall off. If the temperature becomes very extreme, you may find patches on your roof that are devoid of shingles. This can be a major issue when it comes to how resilient your roof is and how water-tight it is; you may experience serious water damage next time it rains.
Paint Damage from Hot Weather
UV rays can cause paint to fade. Indeed, most paints are simply rated for a certain amount of time; it's expected that they are going to fade eventually and the paint will need to be replaced. In particularly hot times, the paint may start to peel, chip, or otherwise pull away from your home. If you have painted siding, it may also pull away from the siding. This will happen as the paint is affected by the heat and also as the materials beneath the paint start to warp and expand.
Siding in the Heat
Siding can warp depending on the material it's made of. Wood siding, for instance, will frequently warp and bend because it still does have some moisture content. Modern siding is made of resilient materials that usually won't be damaged by high temperatures, but very high temperatures can still be the exception. When siding warps, it no longer provides a good protective seal against the home, and can potentially let both water and pests infiltrate your property.
General Swelling and Warping in Your Home
Around your windows, the frames may swell; you may not be able to open or close them properly. Around door frames, the doors may not close properly, or you may find that there are cracks forming. When it gets hotter, you're going to see everything getting a little larger too, and that is doubly true if there's humidity. You may need to get window and door frames checked or they may crack, and thus become problems with insulation in themselves.
Heat and Your Yard and Plants
Heat easily kills off grass and plants. You can resolve this by adding extra moisture; watering more frequently. You may also need to shade any plants that can't be in prolonged, direct heat. Other than this, mulch can be used to keep the roots of plants moist. You may experience some plant die back in the heat regardless but may be able to help them recover once it gets cooler.
Sweltering heat isn't just unpleasant for people. It can also be unpleasant for your home! If you're experiencing issues with your home's exterior, it's important to address them before permanent damage occurs. Contact Exterior Medics today.
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