Winter is a time for holiday cheer and festive lights, but it can also be a time for trouble. Cold weather means snow and ice, both of which can pose dangers to your home. While this season may not last long, there are some things you can do to make sure your home stays intact. Here are some winter mistakes that homeowners should avoid this year.
Mistakes homeowners make in the winter
One winter mistake homeowners make is forgetting to take off their ice skates before they enter their house. If there’s ice on the porch or in your home, you should consider putting a rug or mat down that will help absorb any water and keep your floor dry. It’s also important to clean up any snow or ice that has accumulated on the ground to avoid slipping and falling. It’s also a good idea to have guests remove their outdoor shoes before coming inside.
For those who are renting, it’s a good idea to be sure you know what snow removal responsibilities are with your landlord. You may need to shovel the snow from outside your door before the landlord does it for you, so be sure you check that out before winter arrives.
A common winter mistake is not having enough food for when people stop by for a visit. Keep an eye on your food supply throughout the year so that when winter comes, you’ll have extra food on hand in case people stop by unexpectedly.
Another mistake homeowners make is forgetting how cold it can get during this season! Make sure that exterior doors and windows are properly insulated so they don’t let in too much cold air and keep heat indoors where it belongs. A draft could cause costly repairs on doors, windows and even pipes later in the year if not taken care of now.
Snow buildup on roof
Snow buildup on the roof is a common winter mistake that can lead to structural damage. The weight of snow can cause the roof to collapse and will put pressure on the walls below it as well. This will make your home more prone to leaks and water damage, which can lead to mold growth and other health problems.
Frozen pipes
One of the most common winter mistakes is freezing pipes. The cold weather outside causes pipes to shrink, which can lead to them freezing and bursting. If you’ve lived in your home for a while and haven’t had this problem yet, start preparing now.
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with mild winters, it might be easier to avoid this mistake than those who have harsh winters. But even if you’re not living in an area with cold winters, there are still ways to prepare for freezing pipes. The key is making sure they’re insulated well before the winter season arrives. If your house is already insulated well enough, then there are other steps you can take as well:
-Keep your faucet dripping at all times
-Close off the bottom floor
-Heat up a cup of water on the stove before turning it off and pouring it into a thermos or large plastic jug
-Turn off any unused water lines so water isn’t running through them
Water and heat pipes
Water and heat pipes are important for keeping your home warm in the cold winter months. You should keep an eye on them to make sure that they don’t freeze or burst. If you have an older home, you may need to invest in a pipe warmer to ensure that these pipes don’t freeze when the temperature falls below 40 degrees. Be sure not to pour water on frozen pipes as it will just result in more damage!
Preventing ice dams
Ice dams are a serious problem for homeowners in the winter. Ice dams form when heat from inside the house melts snow and ice on the roof, which then refreezes near the edge of the roof. The result? When it starts to rain, water runs down the roof into ice dam instead of draining off. More often than not, ice dams cause water damage to your home.
One thing you can do this winter is add insulation to your attic or use a radiant barrier. Adding insulation or a radiant barrier will prevent heat from being lost through your roof and will help keep snow and ice from forming on your roof. If that doesn’t work, you can always hire a professional who knows how to properly install an ice dam prevention system.
Make sure your gutters are clear of debris before the freeze occurs.
During the winter months, ice and snow can cause significant damages to a home. Take care of your gutters now so that you don’t have to worry about them when it’s freezing outside.
If you want your roof to stay in good shape, make sure that the gutters are clear of debris before the freeze occurs. This will ensure that snow doesn’t pile up and cause structural damage to the home.
Keep your downspouts free of snow and dirt, to avoid ice jams.
Downspouts are important for redirecting the water from your roof to the ground. When snow and dirt clog up your downspouts, the water has no place to go but freeze. This creates ice jams that can damage your home’s foundation. You should always make sure your downspouts are free of snow or debris before it starts to get cold outside.
Another mistake homeowners make is forgetting about their gutters during the winter months. When snow collects in a gutter, it can build up and create a dam, which will eventually overflow and cause water damage to your property. To avoid this, make sure you clear out any excess snow that might be in your gutters before bad weather hits.
You shouldn’t forget about windowsills either! Windowsills get covered with frost every winter as they face the elements all day long. But these frosty windowsills may not be as innocent as they seem: they can actually cause glass to shatter if you accidentally hit them with something heavy like a vacuum cleaner hose or a ladder. Keep an eye on any areas where frost is accumulating so you don’t accidentally break anything when moving around inside your home this winter season!
Install insulation to keep drafts at bay.
It’s important to seal gaps and cracks in your home’s windows and walls. This will help keep drafts at bay, but make sure you don’t forget about the areas near your doors. Even a small gap can allow cold air inside when the weather changes.
Place weather striping around doorways and windows to avoid cold air from seeping inside.
When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than coming inside to warm up. However, you want to make sure that the heat stays inside with you and doesn’t escape. One way to do this is by installing weather stripping around doorways and window frames. This will help keep cold air from seeping in and heating costs down. To find out more on how to install weather stripping, consult your local hardware store or home improvement center.
Conclusion
Winter is the perfect time to take care of your home so that you can enjoy the long, cold months ahead. By following these tips, you will be better prepared to deal with the changes in the weather and avoid common winter mistakes!
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