If you’ve lived in Houston for more than one summer, you already know: the heat and humidity aren’t just uncomfortable — they’re brutal on your home. From roof leaks and foundation cracks to clogged AC lines and warped siding, the August heatwave exposes every weak spot.
Proper Houston summer home maintenance is essential to protect your home and avoid costly emergency repairs when the heat ramps up. Now’s the time to knock out these essential tasks before the real heat sets in. Here’s a priority-based, Houston-specific checklist that can save you thousands in repairs and headaches later.
For a helpful seasonal guide, check out the City of Houston’s Homeowner Maintenance Resources.
1️⃣ Houston Summer Home Maintenance: Check Your Roof for Heat Damage
Roofs in Houston absorb intense heat, often reaching 140°F+ in summer. Shingles can blister, curl, crack, and nail heads may loosen, causing leaks during pop-up Gulf storms.
Visually check for lifted shingles, exposed nail heads, damaged flashing, and soft spots. Small issues can turn into costly repairs fast in this heat.
2️⃣ Inspect and Reseal Exterior Caulking
Houston’s intense sun and humidity quickly dry out and crack caulking around windows, doors, siding seams, and stucco penetrations. Every gap is an open invitation for water intrusion, termites, and heat intrusion.
Walk your home and reseal any failing caulk now. Prioritize areas around windows, doors, siding joints, and where utilities or pipes penetrate your exterior walls.
3️⃣ Clean and Inspect Gutters and Downspouts
Even without fall leaves, Houston’s summers drop debris from live oaks, crepe myrtles, and summer storm winds.
Clogged gutters lead to water backing up under shingles and pooling around your foundation — a disaster on our clay-heavy, shifting soil.
Clean gutters and confirm downspouts discharge at least 3–4 feet away from your slab.
4️⃣ Check for Soil Movement Around Your Foundation
Houston’s expansive clay soils shrink in the summer heat, often pulling away from slabs and causing minor foundation shifts.
Walk your property and look for gaps between the soil and your foundation. If you see separation, add water strategically to help stabilize the soil and reduce slab stress.
5️⃣ Improve Attic Insulation and Ventilation
A poorly insulated, badly ventilated attic can reach 150°F+ in the Houston sun — driving up cooling costs and overloading your AC. It also traps moisture, increasing the risk of mold and wood rot.
Inspect your attic’s insulation levels — you want at least R-38 — and confirm that soffit vents, ridge vents, and gable vents are clear and operational.
Good ventilation keeps attic temps down and moisture moving out.
6️⃣ Clear AC Drain Lines and Check the Float Switch
High humidity means your AC is pumping out gallons of condensation daily.
Clogged condensate drain lines are one of Houston’s most common summer service calls. Flush the drain line with vinegar or diluted bleach, and test your float switch to prevent ceiling leaks.
Pro tip: If you see water pooling in your attic drain pan, get it cleared immediately.
7️⃣ Trim Back Overgrown Trees and Branches
Live oaks, magnolias, and pecan trees are beautiful — until a heavy branch drops during a summer thunderstorm.
Trim any branches hanging over your roof, AC unit, windows, or power lines. This prevents storm damage and clogged gutters later.
Don’t Wait for the Next Heatwave
The August heat in Houston isn’t just inconvenient — it’s expensive if your home isn’t ready for it. Tackle these Houston summer home maintenance tasks now, or schedule a home inspection with a trusted contractor.
At Square 1 Home Solutions, we handle roof inspections, caulking, attic insulation upgrades, gutter cleaning, and more.
📞 832-384-5686
🌐 square1.solutions
👉 Related reading: Houston Hurricane Season Home Prep: 7 Critical Steps for 2025
