5 Ways to Help Protect Your Home from Heat Damage
A common misconception among homeowners is that most damage to homes occurs during the harsh winter months. The truth is that the intense heat of summer can be equally as damaging. Thankfully, there are several basic preventative measures homeowners can implement to minimise or eliminate issues caused by heat, according to property maintenance company Aspect.
5 Areas of the Home that are Vulnerable to Heat Damage
As mentioned, damage to your home doesn’t just happen throughout winter. In fact, the intense summer heat can be equally as disruptive. Flooring can buckle, appliances can break, drains can block, roof shingles can crack, and pipework can leak. With this in mind, what can a homeowner do to alleviate these concerns? Here are the main areas you should worry about, and what you can do to fix them.
Warped Flooring. Heat and humidity cause wooden floors to expand, while absorbance of moisture leads to edges of boards pushing upwards, leading to uneven surfaces. In extreme circumstances, floors can also buckle or crack. There are a couple of things you can do to help these types of problems. Firstly, use a dehumidifier to ensure the air contains enough moisture. Or, when cleaning floors, use less water. If you’re unsure whether your floors are humid enough, the correct humidity is between 35% and 55%.
Burned Out Appliances. During summer, it’s common for ovens, freezers or air conditioners to wear out through too much use. Another issue is when people use an appliance for its unintended purpose when the other appliance breaks down—for example, leaving the freezer door open in an attempt to cool a room when the air conditioner has packed in. So, our advice here is clear: don’t overuse appliances, and always use the correct appliance for its purpose.
Blocked Drains. With excess heat often comes torrential downpours, and this can cause flooding either inside or around your home. When this happens, it’s common that drains are unable to cope and backflow as a result. If this happens to you, start by checking storm drains in the street. If the obstruction is something like fallen leaves, you could remove it yourself. Another reason for drains backing up is when there’s a blockage in the system, and this is a job for a professional.
Cracked Shingles. Attics are usually the warmest part of the home due to excess moisture and heat building under the shingles, as well as the lack of ventilation. The result of this is often cracking of shingles or caulk around flashing drying out and weakening the structure of the roof. Ventilation can be installed to remove the source of the heat, while vapour barriers help to lower moisture levels. The roof itself can also be painted and sealed against UV rays, or, if the roof requires replacement, lighter coloured shingles could be used. Regular roof checks can also identify problems earlier and lessen any damage.
Leaking Pipework. It’s common for swimming pools, hoses and sprinklers to experience more use during summer and with this comes a higher risk of pipes leaking. To prevent this, have a plumber periodically inspect seals around pipes. More severe problems like outside ruptured water lines can occur as a result of foundation shifts. This can be avoided by adequately hydrating the soil surrounding your house during summer. Tree roots can also damage pipework, so never plant trees close to them.
5 Quick Ways to Help Protect Your Home from Heat Damage
Here’s an overview of easy, preventative measures you can implement yourself to protect your home from heat damage:
- To prevent damage to wooden floors, run a dehumidifier or use less water when cleaning your floors.
- Always use the right appliances for their intended purpose and try not to overuse them – they’ll probably just burn out.
- If drains back up during a downpour, check storm drains for blockages and remove them if you’re able to. Otherwise, the problem might need professional treatment.
- Prevent shingles from cracking by ensuring a well-ventilated loft, regular roof checks and roof coverings that are protected from UV.
- Lower the risk of pipe leaks by regularly inspecting pipe seals. Keep the soil around your home hydrated in summer and never plant trees near pipelines.
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