With the first day of winter less than a month away, you’re going to want to prepare yourself for the havoc the season creates, from dangerous driving conditions to spikes in flu cases. Everything that’s exposed to the weather is susceptible to its dangerous effects. One area winter could hit particularly hard is your house. If you’re not aware of the different ways winter can damage your home, discover some of the most common issues below.
Trees and Weak Limbs
Trees may be the perfect way to add shade during the hot summer months, but things can quickly go downhill during the winter. The chances of a tree limb or two breaking off increases during the winter, when heavy snow can land on weak tree limbs. This can lead to a hefty repair cost if the limbs land on your roof. Whether snow has arrived or not, you’ll want to cut back these tree limbs as soon as possible.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are large icicles that hang off the edges of homes during the winter season. They typically form as a result of blocked gutters. They may appear harmless and like a normal feature of the season, but they can actually signal a much larger problem, including major roof damage. Roof leaks and improper ventilation could be causing these large ice dams. Furthermore, if you don’t remove them, they can quickly weigh down your gutters and cause a mess of expensive problems.
If you’re concerned about your roof, you may want to consider a roofing upgrade. Before you do that, you need to know a few things about replacing a roof during the winter; you can find them here.
Peeling Paint
If you recently invested in a paint job for your home, you may be in for a rude surprise. The winter season can cause a fresh paint job to quickly crack and peel. This is because paint takes days to completely cure. It must also be applied during a time when above-freezing temperatures will be consistent.
You may be thinking that this won’t be a big deal. After all, the spring season will quickly arrive, and you’ll be able to apply fresh paint. However, if your paint starts to chip and peel, it won’t be long before moisture gets under your siding and damages your home.
Rodents
The winter season can also increase the chances of rodents making their way into your home. With the cold weather, mice and rats are desperate for warm shelter. Cracks in your foundation can create openings for small animals to make their way in. The major downside to this is the fact that rodents eat away at things such as insulation and electrical cords. They can also carry various diseases.
As you can see, there are many different ways winter can damage your home. Take this time to prepare your home now to prevent expensive repair costs in the spring season.
