CHICAGO-WEST Blog

4 Winter Home Catastrophes You Can Stop Before They Start

Have you completed your autumn checklist? Trip to the apple orchard? Check. Lost your kids in a corn maze? Check. Line your front steps with pumpkins? Check! And have you winterized your home? No? We get it. Sipping hot cider is hands-down much more enjoyable than clearing leaves from your gutters. 

But, avoiding the list of things to do to winterize your home will lead to big headaches when the temp drops. Here in Chicago, we’ve seen the damage winter can do – killer icicles, burst pipes, cracked walls and even mildew (ewwww!). But – if you take a few hours now to make sure your house is prepared for winter, you’ll avoid facing stress and huge costs when freezing temps show up. 

Here are the four worst winter catastrophes a homeowner may face, and how to make improvements to avoid them.

#1: Those Damn Ice Dams 

The term “ice dam” sounds scary, doesn’t it? It’s because they ARE scary. Ice dams form on your roofline when snow melts and freezes and then melts and again and refreezes, and so on and so on. Ice ridges form and sneak under singles and into gutters, wreaking havoc and causing all sorts of damage, including interior leaks. See? I told you they’re scary. 

How to Prevent Ice Dams

There are a few solid ways to prevent ice dams. 

First, this is an easy one – clear your gutters. Now, if your home is prone to ice dams, clear gutters alone aren’t going to solve your problem. But, a clogged gutter gives melted snow a place to pool and form ice, which as we know, is not your roofline’s friend. 

But the real key to preventing ice dams is proper ventilation and temperature control. 

First, have an experienced roofer evaluate your attic ventilation. They’ll have their eye out for continuous airflow near the underside of your roof eaves, which is what helps your roofline maintain a nice, cool temperature. Fixes might include adding ridge and soffit vents. 

Next, schedule a free insulation inspection. An attic that’s properly insulated is an important step in making sure you stay ice dam free this winter. If you have patchy snow pack on your roof, this might be a sign that your attic needs fresh, upgraded insulation.

#2: Frozen and Burst Pipes 

If you’re on pins and needles waiting for Elsa to make an unwelcome appearance every time you see a forecast with a negative temps, you’re not alone. Even though homes in the Midwest are built for super-cold temperatures, frozen and burst pipes happen. But, they don’t have to. 

How to Stop Your Pipes From Freezing 

You can take simple preventive measures, like opening cupboards and running faucets, during cold-weather snaps to help prevent your pipes from freezing. But if you live in Chicago, or any climate where cold winters are the norm, that’s no way to live. 

Instead, take permanent steps to stop frozen pipes in their tracks. Obviously, keeping your pipes warm is the way to keep them from bursting. But, how do you do this? It’s all about insulation. 

Insulating the pipes themselves with sleeve-style insulation is an easy DIY option. But, adding insulation directly on your pipes is a little like putting a bandaid on a broken arm. Instead, tackle the bigger problem - your overall insulation. Making sure your entire house – from the attic to your basement – has enough insulation will solve your frozen pipe problems in a snap. 

#3: Cracks in Your Walls, Chimney and Foundation  

Have you noticed cracks on your foundation and chimney? Or even cracks in the walls inside your home? You might chalk it up to a house that’s settling and shifting, but cold weather may actually be to blame. 

Extreme cold can cause building materials to shrink, then expand, resulting in cracking that’s not only unsightly, but a real problem too. Cracks in your chimney or foundation can lead to water leaks and entry points for mice and other critters. 

Preventing Cold Weather Cracks in Your House 

Exterior cracks can be avoided by water-proofing masonry with a sealant, to keep water and ice away. Foundation cracks can be prevented by taking measures to keep water away too. Simple fixes like installing downspout extensions, clearing gutters and even regrading your yard can make a big impact. 

To prevent walls from cracking Inside your house, temperature control is once again king! Keep vents and doors open to let air flower properly throughout your house. Adding extra cellulose insulation or improving your attic with spray foam insulation will do wonders!   

#4: Mold and Mildew  

If you think mold and mildew is only a problem during sticky summer months, think again. When warm air inside your house meets the cold air from outside, it creates a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. 

You’ve maybe noticed this issue around your windows in the winter. And yes, it’s easy enough to keep an eye on frosty window frames and wipe up any condensation before it causes major damage. But chances are, if you have condensation issues you can see, you most certainly have condensation issues hiding where you can’t see it. 

Does Mold Really Grow in the Winter? 

Mold can flourish in any temperature over 60 degrees, which makes your house fair game, if in the middle of winter. All it needs is moisture to take root and spread, and as we’ve learned, winter headaches like ice dams and cracked chimneys can lead to interior water leaks. 

How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Your Attic and Walls 

Dry, circulated air is the beset way to keep mold and mildew from becoming a problem anytime of the year, but it’s easy to forget about these steps during dry and cold weather. 

The dry air here in Chicago can wreak havoc on our skin and noses in the winter months, so if you want to stay comfortable, humidifiers are a must. But, don’t crank those humidity levels too high! Program your humidifier to stay below 40%, or you’re asking for a mildew problem. 

Keeping your attic moisture-free is important, especially since it’s a space you don’t frequently have eyes on. If you’re nervous your attic might be prone to moisture, there are simple fixes.

First, make sure any gaps and entry points are sealed up tight. Then, consider adding a fan, like a solar attic fan, that’ll keep cool air flowing. 

Hire Help Before Winter House Headaches Begin 

Our best advice on preventing cold weather trouble is to be proactive. Don’t wait for a burst pipe or moldy attic walls before you take action. Hire local experts to evaluate your home and make sure it’s in tip-top shape before winter kicks in. 

Until next time, 

the Team at Koala Insulation