This winter was a particularly harsh one, not just for people and animals, but for our homes as well. The amount of snow and freezing that occurred in the majority of the country, as well as powerful winds, can cause a lot of damage to your home.
Even if you cannot see any damage while the winter reigns, once the snow melts, it can leave a damaged house in its wake. What’s more, the water which forms from the melting snow can use the damage to find its way into your house and cause even more damage. Here’s what to check as soon as possible. Repairing the damage to your house while it is miniscule is preferable to waiting until it escalates and costs a lot more. Just be sure to only contact registered contractors to work on your house.
The Roof
Snow weighs a lot. The more snow you have, the more weight your roof needs to support. If the roof wasn’t designed to carry so much snow on it, it can buckle, and damage can occur both to the rafters inside, as well as on the surface of the roof.
Individual shingles on your roof are also susceptible to damage. They can also break under the weight of the snow, but they can also be affected by the extreme cold. However, the most critical part of the roof are the flashings. Flashings are the (typically metal) guards which surround the chimney and other connection points of your roof.
The main reason why flashings are so endangered is that they are made of metal. Metal expands and contracts more than wood and shale when exposed to cold and warm temperatures. It can be bent out of shape by melting and re-freezing of snow. That can leave your attic exposed to water and water damage.
Mold
Where there is water and dark, mold infestation is not far behind. Dark and inaccessible parts of your house, like the attic, the basement, and even inside your dry walls can be an ideal environment for mold to thrive.
What’s good for the mold is, however, in no way good for you. Regular mold can damage your house and cause various allergic reactions, but if you have black mold, the situation becomes more severe. Black mold is also known as toxic mold because it can excrete a substance known as mycotoxin, which is dangerous to both people and animals.
If you have found water inside your house where it doesn’t belong, you can assume that mold will form, and you shouldn’t wait to solve that problem. Consult professional mold removers quickly.
Slab Leak
Another part of your home which can be affected by the winter is your plumbing. Water pipes, as well as sewer lines, tend to be full of water. The problem with water is that it expands when it freezes, unlike any other matter. If a pipe is already full of water, once it freezes, it can cause a leak in the pipe, known as a slab leak.
The problem is likely to manifest only when the snow and ice have melted. The first thing you may notice is a high water bill, but you may also hear water rushing even though no taps are turned on. Just like with mold, you are going to need professional help.
Consult professional leak repair company, like https://www.kicrestoration.com/water-damage/slab-leak-repair-san-diego/ to ensure that the repair is done as quickly and professionally as possible. Professionals have a variety of equipment to help them locate, assess, and repair slab leaks with minimal invasiveness.
Winters can be tough on your house, especially if it is old. Make sure that your house is safe and in top condition come spring.
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