Extreme heat; Florida not pictured – Thick orange smoke haze over homes — Courtesy: Shutterstock — SvetlanaSF
It is obvious that this intense heat can be harmful to our health, but it is less clear how much of a financial toll it might have on our homes and vehicles.
Our houses struggle in the heat, just like we do, and this can cost homeowners a lot of money in repairs or improvements.
“Air-conditioning systems are being pushed to the limit. Global warming, here it is,” Mike O’Donnell, a Brevard County homeowner, said.
According to Redfin’s Daryl Fairweather, homes are susceptible to heat from top to bottom, and extreme temperatures can cause soil to shift close to the foundation.
“Foundation issues are something that can really make a property extremely difficult to sell and dangerous to live in. And something that should be dealt with sooner than later if you start to see cracks,” Fairweather said.
Extreme temperature and moisture variations can cause shingles to warp and caulking to dry out in your roof and attic as a result of sweltering heat.
That can result in water damage if it is not discovered when it rains.
And with regard to our cars, the intense heat affects the exposed portions, such as the exterior and interiors, which bleach or fade, but it can also hasten the wear on specific parts.
“AAA has received twice as many calls for dead batteries this summer compared to last summer. Your car battery has a life cycle of about three to five years, so if your car battery is already close to dying, the summer heat could finish the job,” Mark Jenkins with AAA said.
He claims that a slowly turning engine or dim headlights are signs that your battery is about to die.
The heat also affects where the rubber meets the road because hotter roads cause your tires to suffer more damage.
“Your tires already get hot when you are driving on a normal day. But then you add extreme temperatures that can further deteriorate your tires,” Jenkins said.
Additionally, check your tire pressure twice because underinflated tires can cause blowouts and cost you money for new tires.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
