While you don’t want damage to your home at any time of year, winter is when you should be most prepared for it. With the intense weather that winter brings, there are many different things that can go wrong. Freezing temperatures and heavy snow can cause both major and minor damage to your home, making life a little more difficult. However, a little preparation can go a long way in keeping your home safe. Here are six ways to prevent home damage this winter.
Seal Air Leaks
Air leaks are a major cause of heat loss in houses. About 30% of your home’s heat gets lost out the windows and the doors are not much better. Before winter comes, seal off your windows to keep in as much of that heat as possible. Doors can be prepared for energy loss as well by checking for leaks in their windows and blocking off cracks underneath with cloth. By keeping the warm air inside your house, you can keep everything from freezing.
Keep Your Pipes Warm
Frozen pipes can cause massive amounts of damage to your house if they crack and burst. Not only will you be dealing with the cost of repairing your plumbing, but you’ll also have to worry about water damage in your home. The risk of structural damage and mold is significant with broken pipes and that mold damage can begin within 48 hours. Make sure that your pipes are insulated and that your home’s internal temperature stays above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Trim Back Trees
Before any snow arrives, trim back the trees on your property. That way, if a blizzard comes through, you don’t need to worry about them falling on any part of your home or car. If a tree branch comes down and breaks something, you’ll be stuck dealing with your insurance company and possibly paying for the repairs. And until the repairs can be done, you’ll have to work around the damage to your home.
Regularly Service Your Home HVAC
Regular maintenance is good for your HVAC system in general. But it is especially important during the winter. Considering that heating and cooling your home accounts for almost 48% of your energy usage, this is an item you can’t forget. If your system breaks, you’ll have to deal with the cold temperatures until someone can come to your home to fix it. This can increase the risk of your pipes freezing and causing massive damage.
Beware of Ice Dams
An ice dam is a pile of ice and snow that gradually layers up on your roof. It can prevent water from going into your gutters, causing it to leak into your home instead. The weight of an ice dam can also cause structural damage as more snow piles up and puts pressure on your roof. Monitor ice dams and, once it is safe, use a roof rake to knock them off of your roof. To prevent them, you can also consider applying specialized membranes to your roof that will keep the ice from building up.
Buy a Generator
The power might go out during a snowstorm. If this happens to you, your heat and electronics will likely be impacted. This can cause a chain reaction where the temperature drops in your home and you run the risk of leaks, burst pipes, and more. If you invest in a generator, you can use that to keep things warm during a power outage. Just make sure that you are using it correctly to avoid any risk of carbon monoxide problems.
Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home. If you want to prevent as much home damage as possible this winter, follow these tips and be prepared for the snow.
