Winter Home Care Tips to Avoid Expensive Repairs

You’ve prepped, sealed, and winterized your home. But in Massachusetts, the battle against winter is an ongoing process. You cannot simply go into hibernation and ignore your property until spring.

Active monitoring and ongoing care are required to prevent the harsh weather from causing expensive damage. Here are the critical winter home care tips to keep your property safe all season long.

Ongoing Winter Care

1. Monitor the Roof and Snow Load

While most Massachusetts roofs are built to handle heavy snow, extreme accumulation can threaten structural integrity.

**Watch for warning signs:** If doors on the top floor suddenly begin to stick or crack, it may indicate that the roof is under too much weight and pushing down on the framing.

**Clear the edges:** Use a roof rake to pull snow off the bottom 3-4 feet of the roof after every major storm. This removes the fuel for ice dams.

**Never climb the roof:** Leave full roof clearing to insured professionals with safety harnesses.

2. Manage Ice and Walkways

Slip and fall accidents are a major liability for homeowners.

**Use the right melt:** Avoid rock salt (sodium chloride), as it destroys concrete walkways and kills landscaping. Use calcium chloride or magnesium chloride instead.

**Keep drains clear:** If there is a storm drain near your driveway, make sure it is shoveled out so melting snow has a place to go instead of refreezing into a skating rink.

3. Watch for Interior Leaks

Ice dams and roof leaks often go unnoticed until major damage has occurred.

**Check the attic:** Periodically poke your head into the attic with a flashlight during a storm. Look for frost on the underside of the roof deck or dripping water.

**Check the ceilings:** Keep an eye on the ceilings of your top floor, especially near the exterior walls. Any yellowing or bubbling paint means water is getting in.

4. Maintain Heating Efficiency

Your furnace needs to breathe to work efficiently.

**Keep vents clear:** Ensure rugs, furniture, and curtains are not blocking your heating registers or baseboards.

**Clear exterior vents:** If you have a high-efficiency furnace that vents out the side of your house through PVC pipes, make sure snowdrifts do not bury the exhaust pipe. A blocked exhaust will shut down the furnace and can cause dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

The Danger of Vacations

If you are traveling south for the winter or taking a ski vacation, your home is highly vulnerable.

**Never turn the heat off:** Set the thermostat no lower than 55°F.

**Shut off the water:** Turn off the main water valve to the house. If a pipe does freeze and burst while you are gone, it will only leak the water left in the pipes, rather than flooding the house endlessly.

**Have someone check in:** Ask a neighbor to walk through the house every few days to ensure the heat is still working.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I safely remove large icicles?

Carefully knock them down with a long pole from a safe distance. Do not stand directly underneath them, as falling ice is incredibly heavy and dangerous.

2. Why are my windows covered in condensation on the inside?

When warm, humid indoor air hits the freezing cold glass of a window, it condenses into water. Run bathroom exhaust fans longer and consider lowering your whole-house humidifier setting.

3. Should I shovel my deck?

Yes, but use a plastic shovel. Metal shovels will gouge and destroy wood and composite decking.

Conclusion

Staying proactive all winter long is the key to protecting your biggest investment. By monitoring snow loads, managing ice, and keeping an eye out for leaks, you can catch minor issues before they become major disasters.

Planning a major interior remodel this winter?

Winter is the perfect time for kitchen and bathroom renovations! Contact Maverick City Builders to start designing your dream space while the snow falls outside.

Ready to start your project?

Contact Maverick City Builders today to schedule a consultation.

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