How to Fix 5 Problems with Your House in the Winter

Is your house safe and sound this winter? Chances are, any problems are showing up right now. Drafty rooms, cold spots or icicles on the roof call for home repair. Here are five common winter problems and how to fix them.



Faulty Airflow
Heating the house can make the air very dry. Moisture is nonetheless a problem inside homes in the winter. Newer homes with efficient insulation will retain moisture from showers, pots boiling on the stove, clothes dryer vents that leak moist air back into the house and damp firewood stored indoors. When moist air is trapped in cool places, the water condenses. Mold can grow inside the warmest house. The solution is correct the airflow. If mold exists, eliminate it completely with detergent and water.

Cold Windows
If condensation occurs on indoor window panes, the glass is not properly insulated and is getting cold. Replace single-pane with double-glazed windows. Even double-paned glass can cause condensation in extreme cold. Cover the windows with a layer of plastic. Drapes are a poor solution. They merely trap air against the window, and mold can form.

Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes most often occur where the pipes come up from the ground, where they run along the outside of the house, and at curved joints in poorly insulated sink areas. Unfreeze blockages with a hair dryer or a space heater. Run water slightly through the pipes during extreme cold to prevent freezing. Add more insulation. If the pipes burst, shut off the main water valve and call a plumber immediately.

Leaks
Check the plumbing for drips or wet areas. Look for water stains on walls or ceilings. Check the basement floors and walls for dampness. If the house is built over a crawl space, check under furniture for moisture and mildew. Repair any leaks. Reseal moist basement walls. In severe cases, though, call in a contractor.

Ice Dams and Roof Damage
Uneven or inadequate insulation can cause roof damage. Ice dams form when snow melts on the roof, flows down and refreezes at the gutters. Ice dams can back up under the shingles and cause leaks. Clean out the gutters and get the snow off the roof. Roof work is especially dangerous in the winter. United Roofing which does Calgary residential roofing recommends you call in a roofer for winter roof work.

Winter can be hard on homes. Even the best precautions can break down. Fix winter problems as they occur, and the house will be fine.

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