Although the summer months might seem like an exciting time of the year filled with beach parties, long road trips, and just having a good time with friends and family members, summer can also be challenging for many homeowners. This will bring about a myriad of structural problems.
The spike in temperature and humidity doesn’t just affect the comfortability of inhabitants, but it can also affect your home’s overall integrity. What are some important factors that you’ll need to consider when preparing your home for the summer months? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
Air Conditioning and Ventilation
First and foremost, one of the most important factors that you will need to consider during the summer months is your home’s interior temperature. Your home’s air conditioning is crucial in ensuring that everyone is comfortable in warmer months. Of course, ventilation is also an important part of evenly distributing temperatures in different rooms.
However, the process of maintaining your HVAC systems can be quite complicated for untrained individuals. Suppose you’re not quite sure how you can keep your ventilation and air conditioning network running smoothly. In that case, there are always professionals who are well-versed in maintaining heat, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. Fortunately, there are HVAC maintenance contractors that have the proper equipment and tools for the job.
Minding Your Insulation
About the previous section, insulation is another important part of stabilising your home’s air temperature and humidity. Compared to HVAC systems, installing insulation is a more “passive” approach in maintaining a stable interior temperature. Recent studies have shown that around 25% of your home’s temperature will vent out through the roof. That said, it’s best to install a good amount of insulation on your attic. Not only will insulation make your home more comfortable during the hot summer months, but this can also bring down your monthly expenditure from turning on air conditioning units all the time.
Keeping Your Gutters Clear
Although temperatures might spike during the summer season, that doesn’t mean that it won’t rain. In some places, summer might bring about even heavier rainfall, which could cause widespread structural damage if it’s not addressed.
One of the best ways of ensuring that water damage is kept at a minimum is by keeping your gutter and drainage systems clear. Your drainage and gutter systems are integral in redirecting water towards the right areas.
Although cleaning gutters and drains might seem like the thing you should be doing, it’s quite essential to maintain your home’s structural integrity. Clogged gutters and downspouts can often lead to water seeping towards nooks and crannies, which can then lead to the formation of moulds on your home’s support structures. The last thing that you want is your wooden support beams buckling from water damage.
Most roofing experts would suggest removing debris from gutters and the surrounding roof area. If there’s a good amount of foliage and vegetation close to your roof or your gutters, you might want to consider cutting down branches that might be too close to your roof since this could lead to leaves clogging your gutter system.
Consider Your Piping System
Lastly, one of the most critical parts of your home that will be affected by fluctuating temperatures in your piping system. While pipes can withstand extreme temperatures, pipes can also be vulnerable to fluctuating ambient heat. This is especially true during summer when days can be scorching hot, and it can become cold at night. This can place a lot of stress on metal pipes with a high expansion coefficient, leading to leaks.
Most experts would suggest implementing a foam layer on the surface which can stabilise temperatures. This layer is known for helping pipes from bursting due to high or low temperatures.
It’s also important to note that trees and plants’ roots can also penetrate these pipes, leading to leaks. You might have to remove any form of vegetation close to pipes, especially near your garden.
Although it might seem a bit daunting to get your home ready for the summer months and a more warm environment, it’s possible. Although most people might find these tasks a bit unnecessary, it’s still a better choice than having to spend thousands of pounds worth of funds on repairs and renovations. That said, preventing structural damage from happening is a great way of extending your home’s lifespan.
Having proper insulation, a versatile and functioning HVAC system, and an efficient piping system through good plumbing won’t just make your home more comfortable during the summer months. Still, it will also be significantly lower any bills that you have to pay each month. Remember: safety should always be the top priority when it comes to home renovations and preparation.
