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Havoc on the house
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The icy temperature and piles of snow alfresco can do more than put a damper on your humor — they also have the power to do a number on your house . The winter months can stretch your home to its limits , from the pipage in your kitchen to the cementum in your driveway . When temperatures dim below freeze , there are several vulnerable area of your place that are subject to potential job that you ’ll have to fix come spring . Here are 15 ways wintertime weather condition damages your domicile , and our tips to prevent damage from occurring in the first place .
Snow and ice strain the roof
Condensation and freezing temperatures can do grave legal injury on your roof , including ice dams thatlead to roof leaks , substantial tip that loosen shingle , and icicle that put stress on your cap . To forfend any major reverse to your cap , remove any icicles like a shot and prepare damaged shingles as shortly as the wintry weather allows .
Related:11 Mistakes Homeowners Make Every Winter
Ice dams weigh on the gutters
Winter can spell bad trouble for your home when ice and snow build up up in blocked gutters , result in water ice dams . Clear your gutters of detritus before cold weather go far , then keep an eye on them in freezing temperatures to ensure they stay exonerated of dangerous amount of money of ice . If sparkler dams do form , well-defined out your gutter by applying a de - icing agent or thread a heated gutter cable ( likethis one from Amazon ) to melt the methamphetamine and move the water away from your theater .
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The cold cracks the caulk
Fluctuations in wintertime temperature cause caulk to pull off from window , which in act creates drafts that let affectionate air out and cold air in . If you find that your household is particularly drafty , check your windows andreapply caulk to any cracksto warm up up your family andsave on energy bills .
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Winter supplies damage the driveway
You dutifully shovel your driveway each time it play false , and you apply ice melt to the concrete or asphalt surface to protect prevent berth and fall , but these wintertime chores can get damage to your drive . determine your drive for chips and whirl each outflow , and defend against damage each winter byusing a galosh bladed shoveland by avoiding de - ice agent with harsh chemicals , which corrode drive material .
Related:8 Clever Hacks for How to Shovel Snow
Snow and ice snap tree limbs
Trees provide shade in the summertime and beauty in the fall , but wintry conditions can put their life history and arm at hazard . When subjected to low-down temperatures and sonorous condensate , tree limb can snap off and fall on your roof , sidetrack , or baron lines . The best path to prevent winter wrong on your trees is toprune them during the twilight , shed light on them of coke build up in the wintertime , and remove collapse limb in the spring .
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Freezing temperatures cause plumbing problems
On the coldest days and nighttime , your plumbing pipes may be at peril for freezing and bursting . Toavoid this plumbing catastrophewhen temperature dip , insulate your endanger pipes with heat tape ( available on Amazon ) or froth pipe insulant ( useable at The Home Depot ) , open cabinet doors under your sinks to help warm atmosphere circulate around the pipe , and turn on your faucet to a slow drip to keep water flowing .
Related:16 Simple Tricks to Stay Seriously Warm This Winter
Wet conditions rot doorframes
Your door keep out the unsound of winter , but when exposed to wintry conditions the frames around your room access can mature soft and damp , potentially leading to wood rot andan invitation to termitesin the springtime . As temperatures ardent and saltation arrives , moderate each of your door inning and fill damage area with epoxy wood filler ( likethis one from Amazon ) . If the damage area is extensive , consider replacing the total door frame .
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Shoveling chips the steps
Like your driveway , your front steps can find substantial damage during the wintry temperature in the form of cracks , loose bricks , chip shot and tumble concrete . Clear snow from your front measure with a synthetic rubber bladed shovel and avoid using harmful de - frost broker like sway salt . A safer alternative is one of thesehomemade ice melts .
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Melting snow leaks into the basement
Althoughbasement floodingcan happen at any time of the yr , melting glass and coke can push their way into your cellar through cracks , creating a liberal worry for you . The best way to prevent this subterranean implosion therapy from occurring is to turn back your sink pump to ensure it ’s working correctly and vindicated drain clogs before a blizzard .
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Changing temperatures crack the chimney
The bricks of your chimney expand and declaration during daily wintertime temperature fluctuations , which can do them to crack . Water can get behind mortar and freeze , causing it to fail after the inevitable melt . Keep a close eye on your chimney throughout the winter , and take care of any maintenance required as soon as warmer weather permit .
colligate : How to Get Your Fireplace Ready for Winter
Elements weather the deck
Though built to withstand the elements , your deck of cards is not resistant to wintertime atmospheric condition damage . Wintermoisture is a breeding ground for mold and mold , and wet leaching can cause discoloration of your deck if planters and debris are not cleared away before the time of year starts . Any snow removal should be done with a wet Scots heather or plastic shovel , to avoid scratching or marring the deck boards . you’re able to protect your pack of cards from winter atmospheric condition damage by covering it with a tarp , or applying a water repellent Navy SEAL before cold-blooded conditions go far .
Cold weather freezes the sump pump
Most sink pumps have an extension hosepipe that dispatch body of water from the cesspool heart basin and diverts it aside from the house . That hose can freeze or become clogged with ice , and make flooding impairment to the home . Be indisputable to winterize your sump pump properly , and remove that extension hosiery when the temperature dip below freezing .
Related:11 Ways to Winterize Your dwelling on a Budget
Fluctuating temperatures damage the siding
If you have vinyl group sidetrack , it will expand and contract importantly when the temperature fluctuates . That ’s why it needs to be installed so loosely . Vinyl siding can become brittle in cold temperatures and is vulnerable to cracking . Should water ooze behind those crack , it can get structural damage — a much bigger trouble . So , keep an heart on your sidingduring the winter , and serve to small alimony problems as quickly as you ’re able .
Frost heave impairs the foundation
water ice can be the foe of your plate ’s foundation in winter . The frost heave cycle ( when the ground stop dead and then ultimately dethaw again ) can leave in the stain shifting and move under your home ’s concrete foundation , causing cracks and other damage . Fixing thousand drainage matter , repairing foundation fissure , and waterproof your cellar are all ways you may work to keep big foundation problems that ensue from winter conditions .
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Dry air shrinks plaster
sticking plaster walls are particularly prostrate to trouble in during the winter month . Thelack of humidity in the aircauses plaster to cringe and crack . You might not be able to prevent it wholly , but observe your abode at a consistent temperature , andusing a humidifiercan help subside the havoc winter atmospheric condition wreaks on your wall .
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