Image copyright: Dennis M. Crookshanks
Winter Problems You Can Expect This Year
Winter has come to Cache Valley. The snow has fallen, the temperature with it, and Adrian still won’t return your snowblower. Every season has its problems to watch for. All of these can cause damage to your home and while we can fix it, it’s better to avoid the hassle altogether. A lot of these things have to be done before it gets too cold. Even though we did have a pretty big snowstorm recently, it’s thawed out a bit. You can’t expect that to last long, though. If there’s anything you need to do, now is the best time to do it. So, to help you out, we’re providing a list of all the major problems you can run into and some more information on what you can do about it.The Checklist
1. Plumbing Problems
Water freezes when it gets cold. I know, shocking, right? Water also expands when it freezes. If the water in your pipes freezes, the expansion can cause them to burst. This will cause serious flooding in your home when it thaws. Make sure you take steps to prevent this. Don’t forget to check the hoses and outdoor faucets, too.2. Ice Dams
Ice dams are a serious problem. They present a safety hazard by forming heavy icicles, and can also cause damage to your roof. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent ice dams, as we’ve mentioned in a previous article. Mainly, you’ll want to clear out your gutter so the water has some place to flow to when it melts.3. Fires
We talk about this a lot. Winter is the most dangerous season for fire. If we’re not prepared, often our attempts to keep our homes warm will cause them to go up in flames. We have so many ways to repair your home from fire damage, but as with floods, it’s better to prevent them from happening. Holidays are also a common time for fires to start, so we prepared a handy guide to holiday fire safety as well.