10 Things That Can’t Handle the Heat—Even If They Look Durable

Some stuff might look tough, but it doesn’t take much southern heat to show what’s built well and what isn’t. Direct sun, high temps, and the kind of dry heat we get during stretches of July and August can quietly break things down fast.

If you’ve got any of these sitting in the yard, garage, or back of the truck, they may not be holding up as well as you think.

Garden Hoses

Even the thick ones will start to crack and split if they’re left in the sun day after day. The heat breaks down the rubber or plastic coating, and it’s always at the worst possible spot—right near the connector where you can’t easily patch it.

Tarp Covers

Those blue or green tarps that seem heavy-duty? They’re the first to dry-rot when it’s hot out. The edges go brittle, the eyelets pull out, and before you know it, the whole thing tears in half from one gust of wind. They’re not meant for long-term sun exposure.

Gas Cans

Plastic gas cans left in the heat swell, warp, and sometimes start venting fumes. That’s not just wasteful—it’s dangerous. The pressure builds quickly in hot environments, and if the cap’s even slightly loose, you’ve got a fire hazard on your hands.

Paint or Caulk

If you leave tubes of caulk or a bucket of paint in a hot shed, expect them to go bad quickly. The heat dries out the tips, separates the material, and changes the consistency enough to make them almost unusable. Once it changes, you won’t get a clean finish from it.

Battery Packs

Heat is the fastest way to kill a battery—especially tool batteries. If you’re leaving them in the garage, on a trailer, or in a truck bed all day, don’t be surprised when they start losing charge fast or refuse to hold power at all.

Plastic Storage Bins

Thick or not, plastic bins get brittle in extreme heat. They can split when moved, warp at the lid, or even fuse shut if they’ve been sitting out long enough. That’s especially true if you stack them and they’ve been bearing weight under pressure in hot air.

Cord Reels

Electric cord reels, even the outdoor ones, often use casings or mechanisms that get warped in heat. That throws off the retraction or jams the reel altogether. If it starts binding or feels off, check to see how long it’s been in the sun.

Sprinkler Timers

Basic digital timers might seem fine, but those casings don’t protect against internal heat damage. I’ve had displays go black or buttons stop working after a few weeks of baking in full sun. Mount them in the shade or under cover if you want them to last.

Tool Handles

Handles on rakes, hammers, or even heavier tools can start drying out and cracking fast in extreme heat. The sealants break down, and the material becomes brittle or splintery. If it’s wood, you’ll want to reseal it every year—especially after a brutal summer.

Solar Lights

The irony is that solar lights are supposed to be sun-powered, but many of the cheap ones have housings that fade, get brittle, or lose waterproofing fast. After one hot season, you’ll notice half of them stop working or fall apart at the seams.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.