Winter is a festive time of year, but winter weather can take an expensive toll on your home. Wind, ice, and freezing temperatures can cause various types of damage to your home during the winter.
Roof Damage
Winter storms can cause roof damage in several ways. Wind can damage shingles. Damaged shingles or missing shingles can cause water to get under them, causing damage to the roofing underlayment. Wind can blow large branches onto the roof and damage shingles and the gutters.
Ice dams can form at the edge of the roof. As the ice accumulates, melting snow underneath the ice can cause water to leak under the shingles into the attic. Leaking water can cause damage to interior ceilings and walls.
Water Damage
In addition to roof leakage, the most common form of water damage in the winter is frozen water pipes. Pipes on exterior walls are especially susceptible to freezing. Ice causes the pipes to expand and can cause them to burst.
A broken water pipe can cause damage to the interior of your home including walls, flooring and electrical outlets. A water damage restoration company can repair the damage that water can cause. The best way to prevent broken pipes is to keep faucets dripping and open cabinet doors under sinks overnight.
Stuck Windows
Condensation that accumulates on the windows can cause the wood around the windows to expand and become warped. Warped window frames can cause windows to become stuck or difficult to open and close. You can put a towel on the window sill to soak up this moisture and keep it off of the wood.
Temperature Fluctuations
Big swings in winter temperatures can cause damage to your home. Temperature swings can shrink and crack the caulking around the windows. Applying new caulking each fall will protect this area and keep cold drafts out of your home.
The freezing and thawing during winter can also crack driveways and sidewalks. Melting snow will get into the smallest cracks and freeze. Each day the thawing and refreezing will cause the crack to worsen. Repair any cracks in the walkways before winter to prevent this.
Electrical Damage
Using an electric heater or a space heater can put a lot of stress on your home’s electrical wiring. This stress can damage the electrical system or even cause a fire. Make sure you use heaters in accordance with the manual and never leave them on when you’re not home. Before winter, have your home’s wiring and fuse box checked by a licensed electrician.
Preparing your home in the fall will allow you to sit back and enjoy winter without worrying about damage to your home.