9 Ways Extreme Heat Might Be Affecting Your House, According To The Pros

Southerners know how to brave intense heat and humidity, but can we say the same about our houses? Unfortunately, Southern summers can take a toll on a home. Under near-constant strain from the relentless sun, every part of the home is vulnerable—from the foundation to the roof and even the inner workings.

As temperatures climb, experts advise Southern homeowners to monitor their home's condition. Stay on top of repairs and take protective action as much as possible. In general, real estate expert Charles McDonald says that the best way to arm your home against the elements is by using high-quality materials made to withstand them.

“Using the right material for an area is the best protection,” he says. “All areas are different and checking with local contractors who are specialists in yours would be a good start to determine the best products.”

Here’s how heat could be impacting your home. 

The Foundation Can Crack and Rot

“Heat can definitely affect the performance of a foundation,” says foundation and repair expert Tom Kidd, warning of how heat combined with different moisture levels will cause soil to swell or shrink. “This swelling and shrinking makes the foundation flex up and down. When the foundation settles, it causes brick veneer cracks, sheetrock cracks, and other damage to the finished surfaces.”

“The only thing a homeowner can do to try and mitigate the swelling and shrinking of the soil is to maintain the moisture content to a reasonable range with a controlled watering program,” Kidd advises.

He also explains that humidity can wear away at the integrity of wood in the crawl space, causing wooden joists, beams, sill plates, and other parts of the pier and beam foundation to rot over time and necessitate replacement.

Roofs Can Give Way To The Elements 

“Remember: Even on a 90-degree day, the roof can reach 160 degrees,” says roofing specialist Rich Bartel. “Extreme heat can leave your shingles dry and brittle by breaking down the material. The result of that could mean that the roof is no longer waterproofed, which obviously impacts protection from the elements.”

To safeguard your roof and prevent damage to the rest of your home, Bartel advises that Southerners opt for lighter shingle colors that won’t retain as much heat. Additionally, he says that installing solar panels is a great way to not only mitigate the sun's impact but also turn it into an advantage. Bartel also recommends that homeowners update their attic insulation for a layer of protection.

Paint Can Peel and Blister

Just as your skin is vulnerable to getting burnt by the sun, so too is your home. In many ways, exterior paint can react to the summer sun much the same as a bad sunburn.

“High humidity could cause pain to peel, blister, and crack,” says electricity executive Mark Feygin. “Moisture in the air can seep into the walls, and that could compromise the adhesion of the paint.” 

Some paints are better suited to withstand the heat and have a better shot at making it through many summers. If yours doesn’t prove up to the challenge, however, McDonald recommends either waiting until autumn to address the damage or otherwise choosing your timing strategically. 

“It is very difficult to paint when there is high humidity. Paint will just not adhere to the walls (inside or out) and can even blister,” he explains “It’s best to paint in the cool morning or evening. Following the shade around a home can help too. ” 

Mold Can Fester

In intense heat and humidity, mold and mildew can pop up and run rampant in a home, says Feygin. A particular threat to poorly ventilated spaces, McDonald recommends tackling this problem from the outset with a dehumidifier.

Windows and Doors Can Warp

Wood is particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat and humidity, says McDonald. Similar to the foundation, high temperatures and humidity can cause wood to swell and shrink, leading to it settling differently over time.

“Owners will notice this when windows and doors are hard to open and stick shut,” he explains. “It can also cause the seals around doors and windows to fail which will reduce their efficiency. This is typically seen when a window pane looks foggy.” 

Not only can the wooden door and window frames become misshapen, but heat can cause caulk to deteriorate, as well. Together, dried-out and cracked caulk and warped doors and windows can lead to moisture and air slipping through where it’s not meant to. Reapply caulk seasonally to properly seal your doors and windows and give them the best shot.

Hardwood Floors May Buckle

Hardwood floors are undeniably beautiful, but they aren't particularly resilient against extreme heat and humidity. As these conditions cause the wood to expand and contract, your floor may become uneven or, in severe cases, start to pull away from the subfloor.

The effects may reverse themselves as summer ends and the heat and humidity subside, but the odds of this happening lessen with prolonged exposure. To protect your gorgeous floors, use a dehumidifier to maintain consistent humidity levels in your home. McDonald recommends staying between 35% and 55% humidity and using minimal water for cleaning the floor.

Tile Might Crack

Tile floors, showers, and backsplashes are also under siege in the summertime. Like wood, some tile materials can swell in the heat and humidity, absorbing water and expanding slightly. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are particularly prone to this.

Though high-quality, flexible grout with room for expansion is typically used during installation, prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can push it to its limits. This may lead to tiles cracking or buckling under the pressure. Regularly reseal and maintain the grout to best avoid the costly task of having to replace cracked tiles.

Plumbing Can Leak

Shifts in the soil that affect a home’s foundation can also impact water lines, leading to disconnections or even ruptures. According to McDonald, increased water usage during the summertime from using swimming pools, garden hoses, and automatic sprinklers can lead to leaky or even burst pipes if they’re not sealed correctly. 

He recommends having regular maintenance and having a plumber check the caulking and sealing around pipes, addressing any concerns before summer rolls around to prevent any issues.

Electricity Can Become Overwhelmed and Expensive

Summertime is HVAC’s time to shine, and the pressure is high. Not only is air conditioning responsible for fighting the obvious high temperatures, but its opponent, the heat, also weakens your home’s defenses, like the seals on windows and doors, and insulation.

“Heat and humidity could reduce the effectiveness of your insulation,” Feygin reveals. “It can get damp and then wet insulation loses the ability to properly insulate, leading to higher energy costs. That's why your energy bills are going to go higher when it’s hot.” 

If you ever notice dripping from electrical outlets during the summer, heat and humidity are likely the culprits. Feygin explains that mixing electricity with moisture from high humidity levels can lead to short circuits, corrosion, or even potentially dangerous electrical failures.

Feygin also points out that power outages can occur during the summer when everyone cranks up their AC, straining the power grid. A power outage in the middle of summer not only threatens the comfort and health of those who live in the home but also poses risks to the home itself. Power outages and surges caused by extreme heat can damage critical components like the control board, in severe cases, even ignite electrical fires.

To fight the threats of heat on your home’s electrical integrity and manage rising energy costs, Feygin and Kidd recommend turning to renewable energy sources like solar power, as well as using surge protectors and smart thermostats.