The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the Salt Lake Valley, Tooele and Rush Valleys, and the Northern Wasatch Front through midnight Sunday night. A Heat Advisory is also in effect for Utah Valley, Cache Valley, and surrounding areas. Temperatures are forecast to push well into the triple digits, and overnight lows are expected to stay only in the mid-to-upper 70s — meaning your home gets little chance to cool down between cycles.
You've probably already seen the usual heat safety reminders — hydrate, stay inside, check on neighbors. All good advice. What gets less attention is how sustained extreme heat quietly stresses the structure of your home. Here's a practical look at what to keep an eye on while the heat is on.
Your AC Is Working Overtime — Watch the Drain Line
When temperatures spike this high, air conditioners run almost continuously. That means the condensate drain line — the small pipe that carries moisture pulled from your indoor air to the outside — is handling a much higher water volume than normal. If it's even partially clogged with dust, algae, or debris, that water has to go somewhere. Often, it ends up in your ceiling, wall, or the floor around the air handler. Check the area around your indoor unit for any standing water or new water stains, and make sure the exterior drain line is flowing freely.
Attic Heat Can Buckle Roofing Materials
During a multi-day heat event like this one, attic temperatures in Utah homes can reach well above the outdoor air temperature — sometimes hitting 150°F or more in poorly ventilated spaces. That kind of heat accelerates wear on roofing materials, can cause wood sheathing to expand and shift, and may loosen flashing around vents or chimneys. You don't need to get on the roof right now, but after the heat breaks, take a look (safely, from the ground or with binoculars) at your roofline for any visible buckling, lifted shingles, or separated flashing.
Caulk and Seals Around Windows and Doors
Extreme temperature swings cause building materials to expand and contract. Older caulk around window frames, door thresholds, and exterior penetrations can crack or pull away during sustained heat events. Once those seals fail, you've opened a path for water intrusion the next time it rains — or when cooler, moist air returns. After this heat event passes, walk the exterior of your home and press on any caulk joints you can reach. If they crumble or separate, a fresh bead of exterior caulk is a quick, inexpensive fix.
Plumbing Under Slabs and in Crawl Spaces
Soil in Utah's valley areas shrinks significantly during extended dry heat — and when the ground shifts, pipes that run under a slab or through a crawl space can stress at the joints. Watch for any unexplained wet spots on lower floors, an unexpected increase in your water bill, or low water pressure that wasn't there before. These can be early signs of a slow pipe leak caused by ground movement.
What to Do If You Find Water Damage After the Heat
If you do discover water intrusion — whether from an overworked AC, a failed seal, or stressed plumbing — the most important thing is to act quickly. Water that sits in walls, under flooring, or in insulation for more than 24–48 hours creates conditions where mold can begin to develop, especially in the humid microenvironments that form inside building materials even in Utah's dry climate.
At The Disaster Repair Team, we serve homeowners across Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, and Tooele counties. If you're seeing signs of water damage after this heat event — or any time — give us a call. We're here to help you figure out what's going on and what it takes to fix it right.
Stay cool out there, and we'll talk soon.