Have you ever noticed that your door is almost sticky in the summer? And in the winter, your windows probably don’t close quite like they should, right? That’s not bad luck, it’s your home reacting to the seasons. It’s not ideal, but it’s really common.
The temperature and humidity outside change with the seasons, and so does your house. Wood swells, metal contracts, the ground underneath your foundation shifts (this one sounds scarier than it is) and all of this puts stress on the structure of your home. As time goes on, these small shifts can cause cracks in the walls, jammed doors, uneven floors, or leaks that show up out of nowhere.
These changes, however, are completely normal, and they aren’t a reason for you to panic. Of course, if you know what to look for and when to do something about it, you’ll have a lot fewer expensive surprises down the road.
Why the Changes in Seasons Affect Home Structures
Your house feels solid and still, but in reality, it’s moving all the time. To be fair, it only moves a little with the seasons. The reason for this is that most materials used for buildin,g like wood, metal, and concrete, naturally expand when it’s hot and contract when it’s cold. So when temperatures swing from one extreme to the other, different parts of your home are shifting and adjusting.
Add to this moisture from rain or snow, and things get even trickier. Wood, for instance, can swell, warp, or even start to rot if it takes in too much water. Moisture can also sneak into walls and foundations and slowly wear them down from the inside out.
The ground your house sits on doesn’t stay the same, either. In winter, soil can freeze and expand. In summer, it can dry out and shrink. Heavy snow and strong winds can also throw off the balance of your roof or structure. All this speeds up the aging process of your home.
The Areas of Your Home That Seasonal Changes Impact the Most
Seasonal changes don’t hit your home all at once, and some parts take more of a beating than others. Here are the parts that react the most to the changes in seasons.
Foundations and Basements
The foundation is literally what holds your home together, and even small changes can have a big impact. When the ground under your house freezes, thaws, or dries out, it expands and contracts. That constant shifting puts pressure on the walls and floor of your foundation.
Over time, this can make the concrete crack, and the floors inside your house could begin to slope. When it’s wet, you might also notice water seeping into the basement.
You’ll want to check for new cracks every spring and fall, especially if the winter was harsh or there were heavy rains. Hairline cracks don’t look like much, but if they start to grow or let in water, you’re in a pickle.
Garage Doors
This is one of those things many people overlook until it stops working correctly. But just like any other big moving parts, garage doors are affected by seasonal changes. Metal tracks expand in the heat, contract in the cold, and that throws off the alignment. And if the floor or foundation shifts even a little, the door will stick, tilt, or leave gaps at the edges.
Try opening and closing the door at different times of year and see how it moves. If you hear grinding or notice the movement is uneven, hop online and search “garage door repair near me” to get it handled.
Windows and Doors
If the windows and doors suddenly start to stick or they don’t close well, you’re not imagining it. These parts of your home shift with the seasons, too. Wood frames swell if it’s humid and shrink when it’s cold and dry.
That causes drafts, uneven gaps, and sometimes even warping. Eventually, it will throw off the alignment of the frames and hinges.
The way to stay ahead of this is to check the fit and function of all windows and doors at the start of each season. You should also re-caulk and weatherstrip to keep everything sealed.
Exterior Walls and Siding
When it’s hot and sunny outside, siding materials can warp or bow. When it’s raining, moisture can sneak in behind panels or under paint, which will cause the finish to bubble or peel. Even small gaps in the siding can cause structural issues if the water gets trapped inside the walls.
Walk around your home a couple of times a year and see if there are any spots where panels are pulling away or paint is bubbline. Reseal and repaint anything that’s off to protect what’s underneath.
Conclusion
Your house can’t tell you what’s wrong, but it will definitely show you, and you won’t like it. But remember that there’s no need to panic or pull out your tools whenever the weather changes. A few quick checks go a long way.
Read Next: Essential Home Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Winter
