It’s no secret that summer is a long-awaited season in Minnesota. After months of enduring freezing temperatures and harsh winds, we can finally get outside and enjoy the warm sunshine. However, despite how good the summer weather might feel to us, these warmer months can have some damaging effects on your home, both in terms of structural integrity and comfort.
Luckily, there are several ways you can maintain your home during the summer months to avoid any costly damages. By understanding the risks of the season, you’ll understand how to avoid them—and we discuss both below.
Sun Damage
As temperatures rise and the sunlight becomes more intense, your roof, deck, and siding can become damaged. Humidity and heat can cause wood siding to expand and contract, resulting in cracking and splitting. This can also cause your deck to become susceptible to greater damage.
In addition to compromising the durability of your home, harsh sunlight can also cause your outdoor furniture to fade and lose its vibrancy and visual appeal.
There are several ways you can combat the forces of intense sunlight. By adding elements of shading, such as an awning or pergola, you can protect your deck and siding from sunlight more efficiently. Even smaller additions such as umbrellas can make a huge difference.
Water Damage
Keeping an eye out for broken gutters and shingles will protect your home from experiencing water damage during the summer months. Shingles and gutter systems are designed to safely guide water away from your home during rainstorms. When these elements cease to function, your home’s foundation can suffer greatly.
By staying on top of gutter and roof repairs, you’ll be able to effectively protect your home from taking on water damage.
Storm Damage
Sometimes, summer weather can come accompanied by intense winds that threaten the integrity of your home. During particularly severe weather conditions, high winds can cause trees and branches toward your home’s exterior.
To prevent severe damage caused by high winds, remember to routinely maintain and trim overhanging trees and branches surrounding your home. You should also sweep your yard of any toys, gardening tools, and other objects capable of being swept up toward your home.
Heightened Energy Bills
While summer might be a time to kick back and take it easy for you, your HVAC system doesn’t have that luxury! All summer, it will be working hard to cool your home, making sure you have a comfortable spot to retreat to after a long day in the heat.
If your home suffers from drafts or insufficient insulation, though, your HVAC system could be struggling against the odds—and that can lead to massive hikes in energy bills, which can make your pocketbook feel some serious strain. In fact, according to the United States Energy Information Administration, “on average, more than half (51% in 2015) of a household’s annual energy consumption is for just two energy end uses: space heating and air conditioning.” In other words, your HVAC struggling is something to take seriously from a financial standpoint!
Window installation, should you need it, can help protect your home from air leaks that can compromise its ability to stay cool, as we cover in our blog. An insulation contractor can also help safeguard against cooling loss.
Humidity Problems
High humidity in homes tends to become an issue in the summertime, as our state experiences no shortage of muggy weather this time of year. If your house has trouble handling humidity, it can lead to a number of issues, both cosmetic and structural. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, high household humidity can also come alongside mold growth—yuck!
Prompt attention to any air leaks, both in your attic and near your windows, can help your HVAC system keep your home’s humidity under control. Also consider having a roofing company take a look at your attic to make sure it too can properly maintain itself in the face of humidity. If it can’t properly ventilate itself, it’s vulnerable to mold and water damage.
Intelligent Design Corporation: Your All-Around Home Restoration Experts
Need a little help preparing your home for the heat? Our team of Maple Grove restoration contractors and storm damage specialists is here to help. Contact us today at 763-315-0745.
