Winter. Beautiful but Dangerous
They say this winter is going to be much colder.
Winter 2019 was considered one of the warmest winters of the decade, but all models are now pointing to 2020 (no surprise given the year) being paradoxical. As home and property owners, we need to understand all the implications that may come into play. The potential mix of several conditions like heavy snow, drop in temperatures, high winds, and cold air can drastically affect your house or property.
One of the most common problems in Winter is the frozen pipes, Manitoba’s low temperatures are known to cause the water in the pipes to freeze. If left unchecked, it can expand pipes causing them to rupture. As a result, you could have damage via flooding once the ice starts to melt.
Fire in Winter? Yes, it is pretty common too. Due mostly to the fact that people are expending more time at home (again, only magnified by COVID restrictions). The most common cause of household fire is people leaving appliances such as the stove on. Holidays, like Christmas, tend to be times when fires are more prominent. Not just because of all the cooking and entertaining, but because of the increase of flammable decorations like Christmas trees or candles.
The risk of Stronger winds will also arise as problematic when the winter season starts. This happens because of the dramatic changes in temperatures that Manitoba experience in a season. Winds between 80Kms and 90Kms can cause significant damage to your property, you can learn more about wind damage in our last Blog.
There are some other ways that winter weather damages your home:
Ice damming and ice weight on the gutters
Cracks on the caulk
Shrink of plaster due to the dry air
Frost can impair the foundation
Snow can weather decks
Cracks on the chimney
Water can rot doorframes
Etc.
Lastly, Snow itself can be hard on your roof. Its weight alone causes serious problems. Falling snow is a very serious and very dangerous occurrence that can affect nearby trees, your structure, windows, vehicles, or even you!
A great starting point in preparation this winter would be to talk with an insurance broker about what your home or property insurance covers. They can give insight to which potential problems are covered and which are not. The second step would be talking with a professional in winter emergencies. Our team at emergency1 Property Rescue can help you understand ways to ready your home for the colder months while taking preventative measures for less likely, but possible events.
The Restorer
Contact our team today to help prepare for what is expected to be a rough winter. Get proactive by contacting Neil at neil@emergency1.ca or phoning our team at 204-727.help(4357). Whether prepping for disaster or dealing with it, we will help you through the entirety of the process. Including making the insurance claim!