Unexpected Ways Cold Weather Can Damage Your Home
Harsh winter temperatures can have a detrimental effect on nearly anything exposed to it. Distinct aspects of your house are vulnerable to freezing winter conditions. If they become damaged, you’ll end up with some serious problems to deal with. Continue reading to learn about some of the unexpected ways cold weather can damage your home to help you better prepare for it.
Collapsing Gutters
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that accumulates at the roof’s edge and stops melting snow from draining away. Ice dams tend to form when ice and snow pile up in clogged gutters and can cause catastrophic damage. If you find ice collecting in your gutters, apply a de-icing chemical to melt it away.
When ice dams form, the water that becomes trapped behind them can also result in damage to your walls, ceilings, and insulation. Therefore, it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Mold Growth
Many people associate mold with the summer season because of the outside heat and humidity. However, various surfaces in your home enable cold and warm air to pass through them when it’s chilly outside and heated inside.
The resulting moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold to thrive, especially in poorly insulated rooms. Keeping your house clean and well ventilated while reducing humidity as much as possible is the best approach to prevent mold from getting a foothold inside throughout the winter.
Sump Pump Failure
Snow can accumulate and pressure your sump pump’s ability to drain properly, causing water and waste to overflow. You never know when a heavy snowfall may suddenly appear, and if you don’t clear it away in time, your sump pump will stop functioning correctly. That’s one of the main reasons having a 24-hour plumber in the winter is critical.
Cracked Caulk
If you happen to notice that your home is exceptionally drafty, inspect your windows. During winter, rapid temperature changes can lead to caulk peeling away from your windows.
This peeling can cause warm and frigid air gusts to seep through the subsequent leaks. You may need to apply additional caulking to block air from coming inside, which will help heat your home and save money on energy costs.
You can better prepare for potential issues by anticipating these unexpected ways cold weather can damage your home. You’ll be in better shape if you conduct more research and invest in preventing problems before they occur.
