Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of...winter!? Yes, winter is the most challenging time of year for every home and homeowner. When things go bad, they really, really go bad. Picture, sudden floods, no running water, no electricity, no hot water, no lights, freezing temperatures, and ice building up everywhere. It's kind of like how the apocalypse looks like, as mother earth finds a way into your home and reclaims the land and property you stand on. But this is not just scaremongering, because these sorts of things actually happen to someone each year. Here’s how you can’t become a victim of winter.

Ice hiding under the snow

The winter temperature is very deceptive. If it snows a lot during the night, but then the morning sun melts the top layer of snow, it can run underneath the bottom layer to become ice. Then if the temperatures pick up again, the water freezes. Now you have hidden ice. You think that you’re about to tread on soft snow, but little do you know, that underneath there is rock-solid ice. As you can imagine, slipping and falling is very likely.

You should keep grit salt outside your front door, so you can place it on top of the snow each morning. It will melt some of the ice, but it will give your traction. So you can step safely outside your home and not slip on the steps. This is very crucial for older people, so if you have a grandma, help her out with a fresh layer of grit salt on her steps, every week.

Sudden floods

Many people believe that it rains more in autumn than in winter. Yes, it's true, but which one presents the worst flood damage potential? That’s right, winter! Why? Well, since many places are frozen and ice is blocking drain covers and pipes, a small flood can feel like a large flood. If you suspect you are in the way of a flood, have the number of a water damage restoration company in your contact list. They can come over, assess the damage, make home safe in the process and begin to restore your home. They’ll clean up any sewage, mold that seems to have arisen as well as classic water damage such as carpets and wallpaper, etc. Sudden flooding can cause a lot of damage and financial heartache, so contact such a company to prepare them for your call and get some handy tips to prevent excessive damage.

Icy decking

If you have decking in your home, then you should be warned what dangers lurk for it during winter. Obviously, the decking is made out of wood, so ice and water can build up moisture on the surface. This makes it the mecca for mold and mildew, in your home. The decking boards will flex, moan and crack as they contract when frozen and expand when above sub-zero temperatures. This can cause mildew and mold to creep into the flesh of the wood. We recommend that you cover the decking completely, with an industrial tarp. If you don’t have a tarp, you can lay down bubble wrap and then cover with a rug.

Flexing siding

The exterior of your home is at risk of doing the same. The fluctuating temperatures is bad for your siding. But of course we’re not recommending you cover your home with tarp! But if you have vinyl siding we do recommend that you keep an eye on it. If you can see cracks forming, quickly grab some sealant or some tape and cover it up before it gets worse. Remember that you can do repairs after winter blows over. But for now, the best you may be able to do yourself is to maintain the problems as they come up. If the vinyl is bubbling in some area, you can try to limit the flex by putting something up against it.

Window cracks

Winter droughts are the worst thing about this time of year. The endless heat exchange between the outside and inside is very frustrating. But you can use simple draught strips to seal up the cracks in the window frame. These will hold for a couple of months at best and by then you can replace them or make a more permanent fix.

Winter is planning a mighty shock for some homeowners and many will be caught off guard. Don’t be one of those victims on the list. You can avoid being a victim by making these preparations right now as you have time.