Consumer Reports experts give us a look at how heat can impact your home

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — You know about the dangers of extreme heat to your body, but did you know your home can suffer as well?

Just as the sun can burn your skin and cause dehydration those damaging rays can also damage your house.

For starters, don’t take your HVAC system for granted. It’s likely overtaxed from the constant high heat, which can lead to pricey repairs. A simple DIY fix is to regularly replace the air filters and then schedule regular professional maintenance.

And it’s not just the heat; climate change is making storms more frequent and destructive like summer storms and flooding.

“Homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover water coming from outside your house so it’s not a bad idea to supplement your insurance with a flood policy,” Consumer Reports Paul Hope.

But even without a flood, extreme heat can create water damage in other ways, specifically with your plumbing. Metal pipes can expand and contract and overtime, leak.

“You want to inspect your plumbing routinely or have a plumber do it on a recurring basis," Hope said. "You could also consider installing a leak detector. They’re a little bit expensive right up front but they can save you tons of money in the long run.”

And those high temperatures can wear down your roofing so it’s important to inspect it regularly and look for damaged shingles or tiles. Replace them before they can leak and cause more damage.

High heat and humidity can also create the ideal conditions for mold and mildew.

“You want to keep the humidity inside your home between thirty and fifty percent. Anything higher and mold and dust mites can thrive. A dehumidifier can help withthat,” Hope added.

Consumer Reports tests dehumidifiers and says this Midea for larger rooms can help remove water from the air and maintain that ideal humidity in your home.

Now a dehumidifier will remove water from the air, but if you've got a continuous source of water, a dehumidifier won’t be enough and that’s why regularly checking for leaks and other sources of water in and around your home is a good idea!