How Freezing Weather May be Affecting Your Home and What to Do About It

Featured Image Caption: Cold Weather Tips for Home

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Winter may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the weather that comes with it can be quite frightful. The worst storms of the winter can cause serious damage to a home if homeowners fail to take the necessary precautions. Even if you don’t face outtages from massive storms, just the freezing temperature can cause great damage to your home. Consider the following information to properly protect your property from the dangers of freezing water during the winter.

Frozen Pipes

As temperatures drop, the risk that your pipes will freeze and eventually burst increases. Statistics show that burst pipes are one of the leading causes of property damage in the winter, resulting in several thousands of dollars in damages. Save yourself and your home from potential property damage by preparing your pipes for winter weather.

Keeping garage doors closed, allowing the water to drip from the faucet, and keeping the thermostat at the same temperature throughout the night and day can help to keep your indoor plumbing flowing. Similarly, be sure to drain water from sprinkler supply lines, swimming pools, and hoses to protect your pipes outside. Piping insulation is also available to help prevent pipes from freezing, whether those pipes are exposed outside or in the walls of your home.

Roof Damage

Freezing pipes aren’t the only worry homeowners have during the winter. With the extreme weather that the colder months bring, roof damage is another concern. Water damage, snow damage, and wind damage are all major problems for your roof at this time of year. Make sure your home is properly protected by consulting with roofers to identify any issues and performing necessary repairs ahead of winter storms. This means checking for leaks, failures in the waterproofing on the singles, and blockages in your rain gutter.

Increase Energy Use

Though many homeowners cringe at the sight of their energy bill during the hottest days of the year, heating costs during the winter are often substantially higher. With the cost of heating at an average of $700 during the winter, you may wonder what your options are for reducing your energy use at this time. Many experts recommend that homeowners get into the habit of adjusting their water heaters as hot water heaters should be at a temperature of 120°. If the temperature is too high, you’ll end up wasting energy. Additionally, insulating your pipes and water heater will help to keep keep your energy use down as well. Consider using an insulating jacket to cover your water heater to cut down on costs.

Pathway Damage

Precipitation like sleet and ice can cause damage to your home and will pose a danger to anyone that tries to exit or enter the home. After a winter storm, homeowners must remove the ice and snow as soon as possible from their walkways to make sure these areas are easily accessible to those that live there. With the help of rock salt, homeowners can keep their pathways and entryways safe. Of course, rock salt can sometimes cause further cracking issues in cement, so it may be prudent to explore other options as well like snowblowers and alternative snow-melting methods.

Don’t let winter weather wreak havoc on your home. Without the proper care, the damage done by freezing weather can cost you a great deal more than the original maintenance and prep would have. Keep this guide in mind as you take precautions to protect your home from freezing water and freezing temperatures for the coldest part of winter.