Winter began officially with the recent solstice, and although the weather is mild at the moment, it probably won’t stay this way. Winter can inflict severe weather conditions, with a risk of damage to your roof, interior, and plumbing.
Not to worry! There are some steps you can take to protect your home during wild winter weather when the mercury dips below 32º F. Let’s take a look.
That dam ice!
Photo by Sergey Platonov
In extreme winter weather, snow and ice can accumulate on trees, causing limbs to crash onto houses and power lines.
Be sure overhanging tree limbs are cut back before winter snows come calling to prevent damage to your roof before it occurs.
A real culprit for damage is the creation of ice dams. These are caused when heavy snow melts from attic heat caused by inadequate insulation and then refreezes in low temperatures. Ice can get under the shingles on your roof, and the warm attic air melts it yet again, possibly exposing your home to interior water damage.
The most important safeguard is keeping heated air from your home’s interior out of your attic. Be sure the attic floor has a thick layer of insulation, and that your roof or soffit vents are free of debris and are venting warm air out of the attic. You want to keep your attic cool in winter to minimize the cycle of freezing, thawing, and refreezing that causes ice dams.
Keeping your drain gutters clear to ensure meltwater drains freely is another way to prevent ice dams. Just be careful up on that ladder when removing leaves and debris. Work only at arm’s length, and never lean over. If you’re insecure on ladders, hire a pro to do the job.
Stay warm safely
In winter, furnaces and gas heat sources will keep you toasty, and they will keep your house from freezing and bursting the plumbing.
However, they can emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) if not properly maintained or ventilated.
Resist the temptation to use unvented propane appliances. But even if your system is ventilated, CO is nothing to take lightly. Install CO detectors on each floor of your home to alert you of any leaks. These are easy to install, just plug them into an electrical outlet. If the detector goes off, get out of the house quickly, and call your gas company.
Consider getting a home generator
Speaking of your furnace, all bets are off if you lose electrical power in a winter storm. Your water heater stops working, and if you’re on a well, you’ll soon have no running water. Consider a natural gas or propane generator to power your home during blackouts. Besides keeping you warm, it can power some lights, your WiFi, your CO detector, and your fridge.
Generators range in size and capability, so do your homework to know what size unit will suit your needs. Have it installed by a qualified electrician with an automatic on/off switch. Finally, NEVER operate a gas generator indoors.
Wishing you all a joyous New Year!
Peter Young Home Inspections wishes you and your family a joyous, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Let’s raise our glasses and toast to making 2024 our best year ever!
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