How Extreme Temperatures Damage Your Home

August is often the peak of summer, and while we focus on staying cool, the intense heat is silently putting stress on our homes. As a disaster cleanup company, we see the aftermath of heat-related damage that goes far beyond a wilting lawn. 

It’s not just the temperature outside; it’s the cumulative stress on materials and hidden high humidity that cause serious, and often costly, issues.

The Hidden Threat: Humidity and Mold Growth

When the air conditioning struggles to keep up with intense heat and high humidity, moisture seeps into your home’s structure. This creates a perfect breeding ground for mold, even without a major flood event. 

• The Problem: Excess humidity (over 60%) in basements, attics, and even behind walls condenses into water droplets. This moisture feeds mold spores, allowing them to rapidly colonize organic materials like drywall, wood, and insulation. 

• The Danger: Mold not only compromises indoor air quality but can also cause significant structural degradation and requires specialized removal (remediation). 

• What to Look For: A persistent musty odor, visible spotting on walls or ceilings, or a sudden flare-up of allergies when indoors. 

Cleanup Tip: If you detect mold, do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach. Mold requires professional containment, air filtration (HEPA), and proper anti-microbial treatment to ensure spores are eliminated and do not spread.

Structural Strain: Cracking, Warping, and Shifting

Your home’s foundation and frame are constantly expanding and contracting, but extreme, prolonged heat exacerbates this natural process. 

• Roofing Materials: Intense UV radiation and heat can cause asphalt shingles to buckle, crack, or prematurely age. This compromise allows water to seep into the underlayment, potentially leading to leaks during the next summer storm. 

• Drywall and Woodwork: The cycling of temperatures and humidity can cause drywall seams to crack and wooden components (like window frames, door jambs, and subfloors) to warp or separate. This is often more than cosmetic; it can indicate underlying structural movement. 

• Foundation: Persistent drought conditions often accompany extreme heat. As the ground dries out, it shrinks and pulls away from the foundation, leading to cracks in the concrete and uneven settling. 

Don’t let the August heat compromise the integrity of your home. If you notice structural issues or unexplained odors, swift and expert action is your best defense against long-term, expensive repairs. Call the experts at Royal Plus Disaster Cleanup! (866) 404-7587