The winter of 2014 is quickly approaching. Each winter seems to continue to freeze every record, causing skiers to rejoice, and homeowners to worry.
Keeping your home safe during the winter is important. It can be difficult when your dog is ripping off the cover keeping the hookup for the hose from freezing. Or when you change the thermostat to keep your home, and pipes, warm yet your furnace just doesn’t seem to be getting the hint.
These annoyances and others can be detrimental to your efforts to keep your home safe during the winter. Noting what disasters can happen, and how to avoid them is essential for keeping your house in great condition, without costly repairs.
Ice Dams
Ice dams, also known as ice jams, occur when water builds up behind a blockage of ice. They can occur when ice has formed at the bottom of a frozen river. Once the top of the river begins to thaw, water will flow down, only to be blocked by a huge structure of ice.
These aren’t the types of ice dams homeowners have to worry about, unless you live close to a river that is threatening to overflow because of one. Typically the ice dams that cause worry for homeowners are the ones that form on the roof.
When snow accumulates on a roof that does not have proper insulation, warmth from the attic can melt the snow in certain areas on the roof, but not all of it. This can cause pockets of water to form, causing damage. The water that is able to drain gets as far as the gutter, where it freezes to ice. Snow that melts is blocked from draining, risking a leak in the roof.
To avoid this situation, proper insulation is key. This may seem at times like a necessity used to keep the cold out, but it is also used to keep the warmth in. By making sure your attic is insulated the right way, ice jams can be avoided.
Pipes
The pipes in your home are very important. They keep water and gas flowing where it should be, and when maintained properly, keep water and gas away from the areas it shouldn’t be. Keeping your pipes from bursting during the winter is essential.
The winter of 2014-15 could be a harsh one. If your pipes get too cold, water freezing inside could cause them to burst, creating major problems.
There are many different steps to ensuring you have healthy, happy pipes for years to come. Here are a couple of them:
- Cover all pipes that lead to the outside of your house; you can buy covers at any hardware store
- When the dog rips off the cover, which she will, replace it as soon as possible
- Even when you are out of town, don’t turn off the heat completely; keep the house warm enough that nothing will freeze
There are steps you can take to ensure your home will be safe during even the harshest of winters. Keeping your pipes above freezing temperatures will help you avoid winter disasters.
This winter will likely be tough, but you can ensure that your home is tougher. Make sure that you have the best protection possible. Don’t allow winter to cause expensive damage. Be prepared for the worst conditions. But if the worst happens, call Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration, and we’ll turn your winter disaster back into a winter wonderland.
