Home Maintenance Monday 2/10/25: Winter Home Check-Up!
This week’s Salem area weather forecast, showing all the usual winter weather patterns that we get! AM Clouds/PM Sun to Clear and COLD and transitioning back to warmer and rainy with those cute little snowflake warnings that we get but don’t usually amount to anything!
Our winter weather forecasts here in the Willamette valley tend to range from overcast, rainy and cool to clear, dry and QUITE cold; so while we don't tend to get very much in the way of snow and ice accumulation, that doesn't mean that our homes are immune to winter damages! Take some time this week to inspect your home for these three winter home damage types which can be more common here in the NW.
Roof Leaks:
When thinking about winter related home damage and rain, a leaky roof is definitely the first thing that leaps to mind! A leaky roof may not seem like a very big deal to begin with but if left un-checked, moisture spreading throughout the home can cause mold, decay and in the worst cases extreme structural damage. The best time to discover a leak is when it is first getting started! To inspect your roof for leaks, start by checking your attic for water stains on the ceiling, then move to the exterior roof to look for missing or damaged shingles, inspect flashing around chimneys and vents, and carefully examine areas like valleys and roof penetrations for any signs of damage or wear, especially after rain; if you can't access the attic, look for exterior signs like missing shingles, curled/buckled shingles, pieces of shingles around the home or in the gutters, or interior signs like peeling paint or warped wood on walls below potential leak areas. If you're unsure or have a mobility issue that keeps you from looking yourself, you should consider contacting a professional roofer for a thorough inspection.
Wind and Tree Damage are top contenders for causing roof leaks and other damage to the exterior of your home. During periods of high wind, more extreme temperature swings or precipitation it's good to keep a regular eye out on your home and any out-buildings for places where flying broken branches or debris may have caused your property damage.
Freezing Pipes
The cold snaps REALLY have a tendency to sneak up on us here because they always happen when the sky clears out and we get to feel the warmth of the sun on our faces, lulling us into a false sense of security... then the sun sets and we are exposed to freezing temperatures without our regular insulating blanket of cloud-cover to protect us. This is when your pipes can freeze! Last fall we talked about protecting your exterior hose spigots from freezing and causing water leakage, and we've also talked about inspecting your home's insulation. Are there any places in your crawl space or attic where pipes are exposed to air? Any time it's gotten very cold can be a good time to inspect any exposed pipes in your home for leaks or moisture. Take the opportunity THIS week! Any time the temperatures dip below freezing, you should make sure to keep your thermostat set to at least 60 degrees. You can also help to keep your pipes from freezing during particularly cold spells by opening up any under the sink cabinets to help heat your piping and let the faucets drip very slowly to help keep exposed pipes from freezing.
Window Weakening:
Summer heat, rain, and frigid winter conditions in turn, slowly wear away at a window's frames. No matter how well your window installation was done, they often take a beating from the changing seasons and the effects of seasonal shrinkage/expansion. As window frames weaken, they gradually detach from the structure and that can be by up to a few inches! This can cause drafts in your home, which is why it is recommended that you regularly check all your windows for drafts.
If you have any windows in your home where condensation collects when it gets cold outside, not only is this a sign of a potential problems but this can lead to further problems. When not addressed manually (hand dried) or with a humidifier, condensation can lead to stagnant water, leading to mold and rotting window sills. The moisture can cause caulk to pull away from the window and let cold air in and warm air out. The best way to prevent this is to install weatherproof double paned windows. This will prevent condensation from forming and will be less likely to have the caulk pull away.
At home, we recently replaced most of the windows in our 1958 built home with double-pane windows but there's one, VERY large window ~ an architectural feature found in many homes of the 50s and 60s ~ that would be a significant cost to replace and we have been told that it will be necessary to break up the larger window into two-three smaller windows in order to have it replaced today unless we want to "go the custom route." $$$$$$ For the time being, we manage this window's weakened sills with caulking and we either keep the condensation off of it by running a humidifier over night, which is ideal, or wiping the window down in the morning, which is doable!
How many windows do you have in your home to check up on?
Home BUYER tip! If you're buying a new home in the winter months, it can be a good time to inspect for these kinds of issues when they are actively present. You can be harder to spot leaky roofs or window condensation when it's dry and warm out! If you’re looking to buy
Resources:
"7 Ways a Pacific Northwest Winter Can Destroy Your Home" web article found at: https://cegc.us/winter-home-issues/