Winter damage prevention is vital for the home, especially in colder parts of the United States. Colorado experiences freezing temperatures that can harm unprepared homes. This cold weather leads to costly damage when the snow melts or winter storms occur. Is your Colorado home prepared enough for the incoming cold season? Here’s how to safeguard homes from the most common winter hazards, including frozen pipes, roof damage, and ice dams.
Winter Damage Prevention for The Colorado Cold Season
Colorado is one of the colder states during winter. Homeowners prepare their homes long before the winter weather happens. Preventing winter damage with Insulation and preparation are two ways to ensure your home stands up to harsh conditions.
Monitor temperatures in Colorado using a website or app. This way, you better understand what type of temperature drop to prepare for. You also have a better idea of when the temperature drop will happen.
While only a minor numeric difference, freezing and below freezing make a considerable difference to what it feels like. This can wreak havoc on the body and around the house.
A prepared house is ready for anything. Start with insulation and heat!
For Frozen Pipes: Insulation and Heat
Frozen pipes are a costly problem for homes. Pipes might rust or crack because of freezing. You can prevent this problem from happening.
For outside pipes, insulation is key.
- You can wrap pipes in electrical tape to warm their contents.
- Leave outside taps dripping to keep a constant flow, or empty them by shutting them off at the valve.
- If you have damaged or rusted pipes, this is the time to replace them. A small replacement stops the problem from spreading or contaminating your water supply.
Roof Deicing Solutions
Colorado winters bring heavy snow and ice, putting pressure on the household roof. This pressure is a significant risk for roof cave-ins or expensive roof damage when the snow clears up.
Never allow snow and ice to accumulate on the roof during winter! For this, there are practical roof deicing solutions. One is heat wires, which warms the roof so snow won’t stick.
Check the roof for potential cracks or leaks before winter. Mid-winter is not the time to discover an active leak: you’ll be glad to have checked before the storm.
Cleaning and Preparing Gutters for Winter Damage Prevention
Cleaning and preparing gutters should be part of Colorado winter preparation. Clogged gutters can be a source of mold and might cause a roof collapse where winter snow adds to its weight.
Gutters can be problematic during winter as well. You should always clean them up before the winter months arrive.
If your gutters are loose or cracked, replace them before winter.
Layering and Sealing Your Windows
Before winter is the perfect time for layering and sealing your windows.
Simple plastic sheets can help to insulate the home against severe cold and moisture. It can even save homes a considerable amount of money on their heating bills in extremely cold temperatures.
Sealed windows keep essential heat inside the home while blocking colder air and humidity from getting in. This small change can raise the home’s inner temperature by a degree or two—that is a huge difference during the winter.
Floors and Doors
Windows can lose (or preserve) heat during the winter; the same is true for floors and doors. Ensure the home’s floors and doors provide a tight enough seal to withstand water.
When winter weather hits, you should not feel the wind coming through. Vital heat should also stay where it belongs: the inside.
You should also secure the doors adequately. The winter season brings snow and storms, which can subject doors to added pressure.
Reducing Ice Dams
Ice dams can be reduced by ensuring all leaks have been closed and all potential water sources have been shut off at their origin. You can level the outside area, like the driveway. This helps prevent water damage from pooling on the frozen ground when ice and snow melt. Small amounts of preparation can also create channels for water to go.
Sometimes, gardeners set up their gardens for this purpose. Doing this adds one more step to an easier and more comfortable Colorado winter.
Don’t Forget About Trees and Shrubs
The weight of heavy snow and ice can cause tree branches to break and become a hazard. Trees planted too close to your home can cause property damage. You should perform regular tree maintenance before winter.
Before the ground freezes, take some time to protect plants, trees, and shrubs around your yard. To prevent winter damage to trees and your home, consider the following:
- Remove dead or damaged branches from trees
- Mulch around trees to protect roots
- Wrap thin-barked trees
Denver Clean-up & Restoration Services
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