A little forethought and preparation can help keep your home safe and cozy this winter.
Winter Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home Safe and Dry
Start planning before winter hits and mitigate the risks snow and ice pose to your home.
By Anne Marshall | Illustrations by Overdrive Design Limited
CANADA’S COLDEST SEASON can be a wonderland of opportunity for skiers, skaters, hikers and photographers — not to mention the plumbers, roofers and furnace repair specialists who are in especially high demand. CAA Insurance recommends homeowners take precautions to help avoid the cost and disruption that can be caused by the (unfortunately) predictable effects of harsh winter precipitation and extreme cold temperatures. From “up on the housetop” down, here are their top tips to help ensure that the only unexpected visits to your home this season are festive in nature:
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Roof collapse
While most homeowners don’t get to choose the shape of their roofs, those with a steeper slope tend to fare better under heavy snow than homes crowned with a flat or low-sloped top. However, even those with steeper slopes can accumulate snow and ice on flatter sections, or around chimneys, dormers and even skylights. In Canada, roofs are typically built to support at least 97 kg/m2. That accounts for various weights a roof will experience — from building materials and construction workers to the accumulation of snow and ice. Light, fluffy snow weighs in at around 112 kg/m3 — imagine filling a box which is a metre long, a metre wide and a metre tall with light, fresh powdered snow. But that same-sized container filled with older, compacted snow that has compressed (possibly melting and freezing again) can weigh more than four times as much — over 480 kg/m3. Paying attention to accumulation is vital to preventing roof collapse. Our winters have the potential to include snow events in some areas that leave a cubic metre of fresh snow. While steeper pitched roof slopes do help to minimize the amount of snow that collects, intervention can be necessary as accumulation occurs. You may want to use a snow rake with an extendable handle to remove small amounts of snow accumulation, but take care not to damage the roof or use it to remove large quantities of snow, as there are safety issues to consider. Once it’s reached a high-risk level, clearing it is best done by a licensed and insured snow-removal professional. Their training and equipment will ensure the job is done safely and smoothly. If you live in an area known for heavy snow and ice formation, it’s possible to take some preventive steps to help protect your roof. Inspect your roof for any damage in advance of winter weather, repairing any issues before winter begins. Professionals can install electric roof-heating cables to prevent the buildup of ice, although these are not suitable for every home.
Know the signs of a roof in danger of collapse:
- Water leaks Look for moisture, drips or signs of mould on or near ceilings.
- Hard-to-open doors If it’s suddenly harder to open a bedroom, closet or bathroom door, that could indicate pressure on the structure of your home due to rooftop snow.
- New cracks Check the drywall or plaster on the walls or ceiling. The appearance of cracks may be a sign that your roof is under too much pressure.
- Sagging roof ridge line Is there a noticeable dip where the two sides of your roof meet? This could be a sign of too much weight up top.
Ice dams
Ice dams are primarily caused by conditions inside your home, particularly the upper storeys and attic spaces. These occur when a roof has an uneven surface temperature, usually caused by poor ventilation, inadequate insulation or air leaks. As the temperature in your attic increases, the roof heats up, melting the bottom layer of snow covering the shingles. The resulting meltwater flows to your cold metal eaves, then freezes. In no time, the buildup can form giant icicle-like dams that can wreak havoc on your roof and gutters. When it comes to ice dams, prevention is very important — remediation is a challenging and often costly alternative. It’s vitally important to ensure that the envelope of your home — the structural elements such as the roof, walls and foundation that create the physical barrier between your home’s interior and exterior — is airtight, well-insulated and properly ventilated before the snow starts flying.
Stop ice dams in their tracks:
- Upgrade insulation Particularly in your attic. And make sure the one you choose has a high R-value. R-value measures an insulation’s resistance to heat transfer; a higher R-value provides better heat retention.
- Stop air leaks Fill any gaps around attic doors, light fixtures, vents, and chimneys to stop any air from passing through.
- Free melt-flow Maintain your roof’s drainage by keeping gutters, downspouts and scuppers (the opening on the roof’s edge that allows water to drain off) clear of debris.
- Tree trimming Prune branches and other vegetation overhanging your roof to prevent twigs and leaves from blocking drainage paths.
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Frozen pipes
In an extreme cold snap, there’s always a chance of frozen pipes. The bigger risk, of course, is from the aftermath: when water in a pipe freezes, the resulting blockage can increase pressure, causing burst pipes and potentially devastating water damage. Luckily, it’s preventable, even if you’re planning to be away from home at any point during the winter. As with ice dams, the temperature and air flow inside your home have a lot to do with the stability of your pipes. Keeping an even indoor temperature throughout your home is vital. If you’re a snowbird trying to save money on home heating in your absence, it’s important to note that your thermostat should be kept running no lower than 12° C (54° F). Consider taking precautions such as draining the water from your pipes completely. It’s also important to note that your home should not be left empty for extended periods. To maintain your coverage, your insurance provider will likely expect you to have someone visit your home regularly when you’re not residing there. It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance provider before a longer absence to review your home insurance coverage for these specifics.
To keep water flowing only where it should:
- Tap trickle Leave one faucet open to release just the smallest stream of water — barely more than a drip — and the movement of the water is usually enough to stop ice from forming in your pipes.
- Insulate exposed pipes Protect any bare metal and consider using heating tape or cables to insulate pipes.
- Open interior doors Keep doors open inside whenever possible to circulate more warm air.
- Open cabinets Enabling warm air to circulate around pipes under the sink can help to keep them from freezing.
- Close the garage This is especially important if there are water supply lines in or near your attached garage.
- Disconnect outdoor water Shut off indoor valves to hoses, irrigation systems, pools and water features, and drain any remaining water so it can’t freeze in your pipes.
- Back-up power Severe ice and snowstorms frequently cause power outages, making it more likely your pipes will freeze. A generator for emergencies can not only provide comfort in case you lose heat, but will keep the temperature from plummeting, protecting your pipes against freezing and bursting.
- Identify air leaks Fill and seal gaps that can cause drafts in areas where pipes are located, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages and under bathroom and kitchen sinks.
Taking steps to prepare your home for winter weather each year will help you prevent damages and enhance your comfort level — whether you winter at home or away. Building checks and preventative maintenance into your annual routine will help you to catch any concerns as they occur. While you can mitigate some of these risks, sometimes issues are unavoidable, so it’s best to have the proper coverage in place. With this approach, you can enjoy winter — no matter what the cold weather brings. CAA