The cold and wet weather of winter can increase the risk of various problems occurring in your home. Here are some of the common problems to look out for this winter, how to fix them and how to prevent them.
Furnace/boiler breakdowns
Furnace and boiler breakdowns are most common in winter – which is typically the period in which you really don’t want a breakdown to occur. This is due to being used more regularly leading to more wear and tear, combined with the cold temperatures (which can cause boiler parts to freeze up). A HVAC contractor or plumber may be able to help with any repairs. Of course, you can prevent a breakdown by getting your heating serviced – by spotting faults early, you may be able to get them fixed before a total breakdown occurs.
Burst pipes
In winter, there can be an increased risk of exposed water pipes bursting. This is often the result of water freezing in the pipes and then expanding. An emergency plumber will usually be required to fix such pipes – you should turn off your water at the mains if you notice a burst pipe. Burst pipes can be prevented by investing in pipe insulation and by not allowing your home to stay too cold for too long (if you go on vacation for a couple weeks, it could be worth asking someone to turn on the heating for a couple hours each day – frozen pipes occur most commonly when homes are left empty over winter).
Damp and mold
The winter months typically have more rainfall/snowfall. If you have cracks in your roof or walls, you could notice leaks occurring. This could lead to damp and more serious water damage if not fixed. Damp can also provide the perfect breeding ground for mold – especially if your home is nice and warm from having the heating on constantly. On top of being unsightly, mold can be bad for our lungs. To prevent damp and mold, check your home for leaks and seal them. You should also try to keep your home ventilated. There are companies that can meanwhile deal with water damage repairs and mold remediation, if you’ve already started encountering damp and mold.
Guttering issues
Guttering has the potential to get blocked up with leaves in fall. This can then cause water blockages that can freeze in winter. The frozen water and leaves can then cause guttering to expand and break apart. There are companies that specialize in fixing gutters. Cleaning the leaves out of your gutter before winter arrives could prevent you needing to get your guttering fixed.
Cold drafts
If there are any cracks in walls or gaps in doors and windows, these could allow cold drafts into your home in the winter. Drafts of cold wind won’t do any damage to your home, but they could make your home cool down faster, resulting in more frequent usage of heating and higher energy bills. Check your home for any cracks and gaps and seal them up.