The cold is a noble, strong and unforgiving force. Not only to humans, but for their home as well.
We all know how expensive it is being a home owner, but there are certain steps you can take to avoid spending a bunch of money on completely preventable winter related home issues.
As a thank you for being a subscriber, here are 5 nightmares and how to prevent them from happening in the first place.
5. Fireplaces
Just like the cold, fire is powerful and unforgiving, and having one inside of your home is very dangerous yet giving.
Winter is known for house fires due to the increased use of fireplaces, so be sure to follow these steps to prevent the unspeakable from happening:
- Have your fireplace professionally inspected
- Make sure your chimney or flue is clear of debris
- Check your smoke alarms regularly
- Make sure fireplace is out and cooled before going to sleep
4. Frozen Pipes
This is a phrase that makes any home owner's heart fall into the pit of their stomach.
A frozen pipe that cracks & bursts can release hundreds of gallons of water in a short amount of time, and lead to even further, more extensive home damage than just getting it fixed in the first place.
You can easily prevent this yourself just by wrapping your pipes with foam insulation before it gets too cold.
Also, don't listen to your cheap aunt; keep the thermostat on if you go on vacation. Turning them off for long periods of time can lead to your pipes freezing and cracking. It's recommended to keep your thermostat set at a minimum of 68 degrees if you ever leave home.
3. Frost Heave
A frost heave is basically when underground soil swells upwards towards the surface. This happens under 2 conditions; the soil can not disperse properly, and there is a constant supply of water.
This can lead to cracks in the foundation, which is an absolute nightmare.
The easy way to fix this is to make sure that your gutters are clear and free of obstructions and flowing freely so you don't have a steady stream of water flowing right next to your foundation.
2. Space Heaters
Space heaters are great for warming up rooms and cut energy costs, but can quickly become a hazard.
It can fall on children or pets if left unattended, and can permanently burn them if they are not a newer model.
Also if they are under a curtain or drape, they can potentially lead to a house fire.
So just make sure you keep an eye on your space heater, and turn it off when you're not around.
1. Massive Icicles
Besides the obvious danger to humans, (thanks for reminding us Ralphy), big icicles can do extensive damage to your home.
Icicles are a sign of clogged gutters, so be sure to have your gutters cleaned before it gets too cold!
While you have somebody up there, you might as well install some gutter guards to prevent your gutters from being clogged all winter.
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Thank you so much for reading, hopefully you can apply these tips to your home this winter and save yourself some massive headaches!
Do you have any more winter home hacks? Let me know in the comments section!
Stay warm out there,
Dan
Author / Ice Man
FNDN