You need to pay attention to your home all year round. But different seasons bring different problems, and summer is no different. Here’s why you should stay vigilant when it’s hotter.
Heat Can Distress Vital Systems
Most homes aren’t built to withstand extreme heat. Because of this, there are major problems that can come with the increased temperatures. For example, heat can cause water pipes to spring leaks. The resulting pressure loss and corrosion mean you will need to call professional plumbing services to fix them. So give your pipes a once over each week to catch problems early on. Additionally, metal conductors in your home’s appliances or electric system can become hotter than usual. This can cause in-home power outages or damage electronics.
Wood Will Expand and Contract
Have you noticed sticky doors in the summer? If you haven’t, that’s great. But for those of us that have to wrestle with our bathroom and kitchen doors, it’s a nightmare. The reason is that wood contracts and expands as it responds to the increased heat and humidity. And this occurs mainly during the summer when it’s generally much hotter than usual. Further, there’s not much you can do about this. Yet while it’s annoying for doors, it can be dangerous for other items. For example, wooden floorboards can warp and curl up, making them a tripping hazard.
Pay Attention to Your Home Drainage
Your home’s drainage system is probably the most important. It ensures that all natural and wastewater is diverted away from your home. If not, you will get issues like leaks, backed-up sewage, and even a devastating collapse. Here are some simple ways to reduce these issues:
- Regularly inspect the roof for cracks and loose shingles.
- Remove debris from gutters before and after a storm.
- Have a professional check your septic tank for blockages.
Summer heat can cause severe damage to your roofing shingles. Coupled with severe summer storms, there could be a major roofing issue. Heat will dry debris quickly. So, you also need to make sure nothing blocks your gutters, or water will back up and cause further damage.
A roofing contractor can provide a range of services to help with broken shingles and cracks. They can inspect the damage and determine the best course of action to repair it. In some cases, they may be able to simply replace the damaged shingles. In other cases, they may need to repair or replace the entire roof. In either case, a Roofing contractor will have the experience and expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently. As a result, a roofing contractor can be an invaluable asset when it comes to maintaining a healthy and functional home during summer.
Your Paint will Dry, and Chip
Most professionals agree that you should paint your home’s exterior every 4 to 7 years to preserve the look and finish. But there’s also a safety aspect to painting your property. The summer sun can dry your paint and cause it to chip away. While this isn’t usually anything to worry about, it can be a problem in severe cases. For instance, it can turn to dust, which you or your family will breathe. In turn, causing respiratory problems. Additionally, young children will often ingest paint chips, some of which are made from extremely toxic chemicals.
Dry Soil Won’t Absorb Rainwater
Summer is associated with two things. The first is favorable weather, where you can bask in the sun. The other is the torrential rainfall that comes after. However, during prolonged exposure, such as the current situation in the UK, there is a risk of flooding. The reason is that the ground soil around your property has become so dried out that it can’t absorb rainwater. As a result, it builds up and has to go somewhere. And the problems are increased significantly if you live near a river. You can protect your land by watering the surrounding grass and soil.
Summary
It’s always necessary to pay attention to your home. But more so in the summer because heat can damage pipes, drains can become blocked, and soil can reject rainwater.
