Effects Of Freezing Temperatures On Your Home

House damage can be caused by the combination of wind, snow, cold and wind, as in “blizzard conditions”. There are many potential problems that can be caused by freezing pipes, roof shingles falling off and everything in between. For example, homeowners can be charged up to $5,000-$70,000 for repairs and damages from burst pipes — Checkout in this article how you can avoid this.

 1. How Winter Weather Damages Your Home   

You can be shivered by the cold and snow outside, but it also has the potential to damage your house. Your home can be stretched to its limits by the winter months, from the pipes in the kitchen to the cement in your driveway. If temperatures drop below freezing, you have several areas that could be affect by potential problems that will need to be addressed in the spring. These are some of the ways winter weather can cause damage to your home. We also have tips on how to prevent it from happening in the first instance.

Snow And Ice Strain The Roof  

The effects of freezing temperatures and condensation can cause serious damage to your roof. You can avoid major damage to your roof by removing any icicles as soon as possible and fixing any damaged shingles as soon as the weather permits.

Ice Dams Weigh On The Gutters  

Winters in Texas can be a troublesome time for your house if you have snow and ice building up in your gutters, resulting in ice dams. Clear your gutters from any debris and keep them clear of dangerous amounts of snow before winter arrives. Clear out any ice dams that may form by using a deicing agent, or stringing a heated gutter cable. This will melt the ice and move it away from your home.

The Cold Cracks The Caulk  

Winter temperature fluctuations cause caulk to separate from windows. This creates drafts that let cold air in and warm air out. You should check your windows and repair any cracks. This will warm up your home and reduce your Centerpoint Energy bills.

Winter Supplies Damage The Driveway  

Your driveway can be damag by winter chores such as shoveling snow and applying ice melt to concrete and asphalt surfaces to prevent slips and falls. You can inspect your driveway for cracks and chips each spring. Avoid using harsh chemicals and a rubber-bladed shovel to prevent damage in winter.

Melting Snow Leaks Into The Basement  

Basement flooding is possible at anytime of the year. However, melting snow and ice could push their way through cracks into your basement, creating a major headache. It is important to make sure that your sump pump works properly before any subterranean flooding occurs. Also, clear out drain clogs prior to a snowstorm.

 2. Winterizing Your Home Checklist   

People who can afford long vacations should winterize their homes. Even if your vacation is only for two weeks or less, Murphy’s Law (everything that can go wrong, will happen, and always at the worst time) tells you that you should protect your home as much as you can and not leave anything to chance. If you own a summer home you don’t use in winter, make sure you take a fall weekend and winterize the house.

An Energy Audit Saves You Money  

The most important tip for winterizing your house is to know how to reduce your energy bills. As winter approaches, contact your local power company to schedule an energy audit of your home. To lower your energy bills you should like liase with weatherboard suppliers Melbourne to invest in weatherboards which can keep the heat inside the home, keeping you warm and lowering heating bills in the winter. Weatherboard can also help to reduce drafts and improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.

Insulate Your Attic

If you want to keep your house warm, insulation must be done to your attic. Although it is often overlook in discussions about home insulation, however, it is usually the best addition to your home’s winterization.

Winter is the best time to insulate your attic. Hot air rises, and all heat from your heater will move the uninsulated attic. Insulation is necessary to keep cold air from sinking and prevent it from conducting to the floors below. Your roof can be damag if it is not insulated.

Prep Your Furnace   

Homeowners rely on their heating system for comfort when temperatures drop. Your furnace’s readiness to withstand the cold temperatures should be check by your Texas dealer. Your dealer will perform a preventative check to make sure that your furnace is working properly and identify any issues. You can also do some DIY tasks like changing the air filter or clearing out any debris from the vents to ensure your heating system is running efficiently during winter.

Get Rid Of Unvented Space Heaters  

While gas space heaters are great for introducing heat to indoor spaces, they can also pose a danger. Their heating process is by direct combustion of carbon monoxide, which then fills the room with dangerous carbon monoxide gas. Lack of proper air circulation can lead to CO2 buildup in the room, which could prove fatal. Unvented space heaters are better than heating systems. You should consider electric space heaters if you have no other options. They are safer.

Use Weatherstripping  

You can’t winterize your home unless you use Weatherstripping to seal the small spaces that are not possible with other insulation methods. These areas can include the window sash and attic hatches as well as door jambs and immovable windows that have become brittle over time.

Wooden walls can show cracks and crevices over time. To insulate the windows, place weatherstrip tape between the lower sash and frame. Weatherstrip the door jambs to ensure it fits snugly.

Turn Off Exterior Faucets   

Because it is so easy, homeowners often forget to winterize. If water is left in pipes during freezing temperatures, pipes could burst due to the expansion of ice. To prevent burst pipes, disconnect your garden hoses. Drain any water remaining in exterior faucets.

 Bottom Line 

After you’ve completed your winterize home checklist, be sure to do the following steps before the cold waves arrive so you are ready to face the cold. You can enjoy a worry-free winter by sealing all your windows, getting your heating system checked and clearing your gutters.

You might also prepare your house for winter emergencies in case of severe winter weather like blizzards and ice storms. Weather disasters can lead to power outages and even make you stay home for several days. You should stock up on food and supplies. Also, you should have a secondary source of power.

HAVE A GREAT WINTER!