Wintery scenes on Christmas cards might look beautiful, but the wintery weather can in fact cause some of the most common problems to watch out for at home and on the road because of the general lower temperatures and hazards.
Here's what you should look out for:
Flooding and Water Damage
Flooding can occur at any time of year, from the weather to burst pipes. Yet a winter flood is more dangerous because of the freezing temperatures of the water and the air. Fortunately, you can call for emergency water damage repair and help to remove excess water. Further treatments may also be needed to remove any hazards, such as mould growth in hard-to-reach areas. There's not much you can do about flooding. But its good to have a list of services in your area handy in case the worst happens.
The Weight of Snow
We might 'Dream of a White Christmas' and most people may even look forward to a little snow in the winter. It can transform your home into a winter wonderland. However, snow is dangerous. Not least if you have a failing roof. The problem is, snow is rather heavy. And if your roof isn't in the best condition, there is a chance you will at least have leaks. In the worst case, your roof could cave in. So, it is recommended that you have a professional roofer inspect it during the summer to spot any issues before it's too late.
Common Winter Disasters Include Frozen Cars
Cold winter mornings are miserable for most people. Your home can be pretty cold, and you might be stumbling around in the dark, trying not to wake up others. You can somewhat protect your home this winter. Yet your car can also fail. And the windows might be covered in ice. But, don't be tempted to pour hot water to melt it. This will break the glass. Use rubbing alcohol or car de-icer. And keep the key in the ignition if you have trouble starting a frozen engine. Do not be tempted to switch on your wipers. You need to ensure they are not frozen to the windscreen first, plus you need to clear any snow from the windscreen too. Switching on your wipers at this point can cause costly damage to the mechanism (I know, I learnt the hard way)
Slippery, Sloped Driveways
We've all done it. You have probably overstated your skills at some point, thinking you can easily walk from your front door, down your driveway, and into your car. Alas, you slip on some ice, tumbling, made worse by the slight incline in your driveway. You hastily get up, hoping nobody saw. And you never want it to happen again. So, pay attention to driveway safety in winter. Use salt and grit to melt any ice. And don't pour hot water since it will only freeze again. Falls can be nasty if you land awkwardly, if you're lucky, it's just your pride that gets bruised.
Frozen Pipes and Plumbing
Finally, back to those frozen pipes, one of the worst things that can happen over winter is frozen pipes and plumbing. Having any pipes clogged in your home can cause serious issues. These include backed-up sewage. But also broken down heating systems. Which is obviously a disaster when it's freezing. Booking an inspection can help identify problems early. But you can also prevent frozen pipes by using pipe insulation, keeping your water warm, trickling your tap water and putting your boiler on frost protection mode which means it should automatically come on if the temperature drops below 5°
There are many winter that can happen at home during the winter to ruin your holidays. Use this checklist to make sure you don't get caught out over Christmas.
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