Winter Interior Home Maintenance:
Winter weather in Southeast Wisconsin can affect more than a home's exterior. Cold temperatures, dry indoor air, attic condensation, and power outages can create problems for plumbing, insulation, ventilation, and other interior systems. A little preparation can help reduce the risk of property damage and keep your household safer throughout the season. Use these winter interior home maintenance tips to check vulnerable areas, manage indoor moisture, and prepare for unexpected winter conditions.
Monitor Indoor Humidity:
To help reduce the risk of moisture-related damage, monitor indoor humidity levels throughout the winter. Maintaining appropriate humidity can help minimize condensation on windows, walls, and other cold surfaces, reducing the potential for moisture buildup and mold growth.
Attic Frost Monitoring:
To help identify potential insulation or ventilation issues, periodically inspect your attic for frost accumulation, condensation, or signs of excess moisture during cold weather. Addressing these concerns early can help reduce the risk of moisture damage and mold growth.
Emergency Power Readiness:
To prepare for potential winter power outages, keep flashlights, extra batteries, and other essential emergency supplies in an accessible location. Having these items ready can help your household remain safer and more comfortable if severe winter weather disrupts electricity.
Document Protection:
To prepare for potential insurance claims or other emergencies, store important documents, insurance policies, and contact information in a secure, easily accessible location. Consider keeping digital backups in a secure location to help ensure important records remain available if physical documents are damaged or inaccessible.
Generator Safety Awareness:
To prepare for winter power outages, review your generator's operating instructions and safety procedures before severe weather arrives. Always operate portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home and openings such as doors, windows, and vents. Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, or enclosed space due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Hose Winterization:
To help reduce the risk of frozen pipes, disconnect and store garden hoses before freezing temperatures arrive. Removing hoses can also help protect exterior faucets and connected plumbing from cold-weather damage.
Exterior Spigot Protection:
To help reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes, shut off and winterize exterior water spigots before freezing temperatures arrive. Disconnect hoses and drain exterior plumbing when possible to minimize the risk of water freezing inside the pipes.
Pipe insulation:
To help protect against freezing temperatures, insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, garages, and other areas that may be vulnerable to cold conditions. Proper insulation can help reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes during extreme winter weather.
Indoor Temperature Stability:
To help reduce the risk of frozen pipes, maintain a consistent indoor temperature throughout the winter, even when you are away from home. Avoid turning the heat off or allowing indoor temperatures to drop significantly during periods of extreme cold.
Cabinet Warm Air Circulation:
To help protect plumbing from freezing temperatures, open cabinet doors beneath sinks during periods of extreme cold. Allowing warm air to circulate around exposed plumbing can help reduce the risk of frozen pipes, particularly along exterior walls.
What to Do If Winter Conditions Damage Your Home:
Even with careful preparation, winter conditions can cause unexpected damage. A frozen or burst pipe, attic moisture problem, or heating-related issue can affect walls, ceilings, flooring, and personal belongings. If you discover water damage, stay away from electrical hazards and shut off the water supply if you can safely reach the shutoff. Photograph visible damage once it is safe, contact your insurance company, and arrange for a professional assessment. Prompt attention can help limit further damage and reduce the chance of ongoing moisture problems.
Damage Control Inc. helps homeowners throughout Southeast Wisconsin recover from water damage, mold problems, and other property damage. If winter conditions affect your home, professional assessment can help determine what needs to be addressed.
