- Electrical Damage
During winter, it’s common to see a significant increase in energy use. Space heaters require a lot of energy in order to run properly and effectively. Be careful when using such devices if they are outdated or if your electrical system altogether is old. Space heaters may present a clear fire hazard if left unattended. Never use these devices for any other reasons other than those stated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Stress on your roof
During those bitterly cold, icy times of year, your roof may be pounded by significant amounts of snow and ice. Freezing temperatures contribute to the abuse your roof sustains. Additionally, condensation and ice dams are your roof’s nemesis. All of these factors put stress on your roof.
- Poor performing windows & doors
Whenever you’re faced with frigidly cold temperatures outside while keeping the inside of your home warm, the drastic differences in temperature tend to damage the caulk on your windows. When this happens, cold air is able to seep through cracks, thus defeating the whole purpose of keeping your home insulated and warm. In order to effectively repair caulked areas, wait for temperatures to rise a bit. This will ensure that the caulk cures the way it’s supposed to.
Harsh winters can inflict brutal damage to various areas of your home. When wood rots, you’re leaving an open invitation to termites as temperatures will increase come spring time. Once temperatures are warm enough, go ahead and proceed with repairing any damage with wood epoxy. You may want to consider replacing the whole door frame of the damage is severe.
To ensure that you won’t be experiencing cold air coming into your home, another way to solidly prevent this is by making sure your weatherstripping is in good condition. If you see any damage, replace it and you shouldn’t have a problem anymore.
- Freezing and damaged pipes
Frozen or bursting pipes can be one of the most costly insurance claims because of the severity of damage they can cause to your home.
You should seriously consider insulating your pipes with foam pipe insulation or heat tape BEFORE the cold weather comes. Every hose should be completely drained of water and disconnected. Make sure your water is turned off on any faucets that are outside your home. As far as your faucets inside your home and concerned, consider leaving a slight drip coming from each faucet to prevent freezing.
- Damage to steps & driveways
The good news is that many homeowners are proactive when it comes to prepping their driveways, sidewalks, and steps for the winter. Some place ice repellant on these areas before the freezing temperatures and snow storms hit. The bad news is that many chemicals used in these repellants have the ability to damage driveways and steps. This, in addition to your shovel, can cause cracks, chips, and loose bricks. Use a de-icing agent that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals if you want to prevent this from happening. Finally, if you don’t want to face snow and ice removal yourself, you can always hire a professional to do it for you.
Stay Proactive
The best way to prevent severe damage to your home and costly insurance claims is by taking necessary preventative measures. The sooner you take those measures, the better chance you have at protecting your home and your wallet.