As a homeowner, you are aware that winter could be stressful on your property. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are five ways that heavy snow can damage your home, as well as some recommendations on how to protect your house in winter.
Frozen Pipes
Pipes can freeze and burst as a result of massive snow and freezing temperatures. Fortunately, it is simple to avoid this hazard. To begin, turn off the water to any outdoor pipes and ensure that all water has been drained. During the winter, disconnect any associated hoses and store them in a shed or garage.
Consider taking additional safety precautions if you have exterior pipes that you cannot turn off. To avoid freezing, use sleeves and foam covers to insulate your pipes. Installing frost-free faucets can help keep water from freezing and busting your pipes.
Lawn and Landscaping
It’s a good idea to prepare your lawn and landscaping for the winter before the snow arrives. When road salt runoff from large snowstorms is absorbed into the soil, it can do serious damage to your lawn. It has the potential to change the soil structure, causing grass to wither and die. Shovel snow away from the turf and flush the soil with lots of water in the spring to preserve it.
After the leaves have fallen, make careful to trim any withering shrubs or tree limbs. Heavy snow or ice can put additional strain on weakened limbs, leading them to shatter and fall. Be extra cautious of branches near power lines, windows, siding, or your roof, since they can cause damage to your home or shut off power in the middle of winter.
Concrete Paths and Driveways
Winters are challenging for concrete roads and driveways, especially if you live in an area with a lot of snow and varying cold weather. Water flows into concrete cracks when snow melts. When the temperature drops, the water freezes, causing gaps to spread and deepen. This process occurs on a regular way during the winter season, possibly causing considerable damage to your concrete driveway and walkway.
Filling cracks before winter is the best way to keep them from worsening. You can solve the problem yourself if you have a circular saw and some experience. Simply carve a groove to remove the old cement and replace it with fresh. You might also contact a contractor to patch the cracks.
Roofs and Gutters
Ice dams could form on your roof if snow and ice gather. Melting snow has nowhere to go if your gutters are blocked. Rather than flowing to the drains and gutters, meltwater collects on the roof and refreezes to form an ice dam. The dam strains your gutters and traps water behind your shingles, flooding your attic whenever temperatures rise.
To avoid ice dams, clear your gutters of leaves and sticks before the season changes. You could also consider adding an ice shield to protect your roof from ice jams and insulate your attic for future leaks.
Heavy snowfall can also be harmful to your roof and gutters. Gutters that are overloaded might separate from the roof’s edge. Your roof could also sustain structural damage. Inspect your roof before winter arrives and repair any missing or damaged shingles. Use a roof rake to clean extra snow from your gutters and roof after a big snowstorm.
Garage Doors
During the heaviest winter storms, the piling of snow and ice on your garage door can cause it to stick and occasionally freeze shut. What should you do if you find yourself in this situation? While it may be tempting to use a shovel to open the door after clearing the snow, this option may cause harm to your garage door. Instead, take the following approach:
- Disconnect your garage door opener.
- Remove all of the snow and ice.
- Lift the door manually.
- Reconnect the automated garage door opener.
- Wipe up any remaining dampness on the garage floor.
To prevent your garage door from freezing in the future, keep the surrounding area as dry as possible. Shoveling and sweeping on a daily basis can be helpful.
Final Thought
You’re ready to protect your property from big snowfall now that you’ve learned how the winter might harm it. Begin working right away! In addition, you can go to websites like homeguidelines.com or virepost.com to get some home improvement ideas.
