As you can tell by the weather, winter is right around the corner – and it’s in your best interest to be on the lookout for these five winter home disasters.
5 Winter Home Disasters
The most common winter home disasters include:
- Frozen pipes
- Frost heave
- Fireplaces
- Space heaters
- Ice dams
Here’s a closer look at each.
Michigan Winter Home Disaster #1: Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can quickly lead to disaster, so it’s in your best interest to prevent them. You may be able to prevent frozen pipes by insulating them, keeping your garage door closed and keeping your cabinets open, or by letting your faucets drip when temperatures are below freezing.
Related: How to thaw frozen pipes in your home
Michigan Winter Home Disaster #2: Frost Heave
Frost heave is what occurs when soil swells upward because it’s full of ice crystals. When the ground around your home is saturated with water (such as an overabundance from clogged or broken gutters), the water can freeze and displace so much soil that it cracks your home’s foundation.
Michigan Winter Home Disaster #3: Fireplaces
Fire danger is real throughout the year, but it’s a bit more widespread during winter months when people are likely to have their fireplaces crackling. There are more than 25,000 chimney fires per year in the U.S., and those are responsible for about $125 million in property damage – so keeping your chimney clean (and keeping an eye on your fireplace) is essential.
Related: Fireplace safety during Michigan winters
Michigan Winter Home Disaster #4: Space Heaters
Space heaters cause more than 25,000 residential fires and as many as 300 deaths each year – and more than 6,000 Americans head to the emergency room for care after space heater fires or burns. Portable heaters can be incredibly dangerous and require you to need a fire damage expert to remediate.
Michigan Winter Home Disaster #5: Ice Dams
Ice dams may not seem like a big deal, but their fallout can be catastrophic. When an ice dam forms, it can force your roof shingles up, allowing space for water to get in. If the water incursion is big enough, it can destroy your entire roof.
Do You Need a Disaster Remediation Expert in Washtenaw County or Jackson County?
If your home has already been damaged, we can help. Check out our services and call Exact Recon for your free disaster remediation quote today. We offer:
