Whether you have recently inherited a home or have just purchased one to start a new family, there are some problems that will arise during the upcoming winter that you might not expect. For new homeowners, their first winter can feel chaotic: the electricity bill may skyrocket, the air conditioner may cease to work, and cracks can start appearing in the woodwork of the home — and these are only a few of the many problems that may arise.
Here are four tips that every homeowner should keep in mind in the upcoming months:
1. Leaks in a home can be costly during winter.
The changing temperature of the air can cause leaks in your home. Caulk surrounding windows and electric fixtures can form gaps as they expand and contract with the weather, leaving leaks for air to escape. Leaks can be a huge problem, and it is necessary to air seal your home. These leaks can cause heating problems, waste energy, and lead to further property damage.
Regular inspections are a must during the colder seasons. The edges of windows may have to be caulked over. Door sweeps can prevent air from entering under exterior doors. Minimal-expanding foam can be used to fill gaps around every wall penetration (including areas for vents, pipes, and cables). Homeowners can save a lot of cash by keeping their home free of leaks.
2. Winter weather can kill your air conditioner.
For one reason or another, homeowners may need to turn on their air conditioning during the cold season. This is not recommended, as it can actually permanently damage an air conditioner. The oil that is used to lubricate the compressor of the air conditioner is typically of a heavy grade, so that it will function well during warm, summer months. During the winter, however, it is far too thick to operate safely. Running an air conditioner while it is cold outside can cause damage an air conditioner beyond repair, necessitating a replacement compressor.
Most HVAC professionals suggest keeping the A/C off in temperatures under 60 °F. As a safeguard, many modern models will simply not operate in cold temperatures. For homeowners who have inherited old air conditioners, caution is required.
3. The cold sucks moisture out of the air.
A little-known fact is that dry air can cause serious property damage. In your home, cold air can leach moisture out of the wood. The first place most homeowners notice this effect is in the kitchen, where splits can appear in cabinet doors. Seeing cracks suddenly appear in your kitchen can be a distressing way of discovering that your home has a humidity problem.
This damage can be prevented by keeping the home at a reasonable humidity level. A humidity monitor is a useful and inexpensive tool that homeowners should have. If the humidity level frequently falls under 40%, it is time to look into buying a humidifier. These can range greatly in price, but it is possible to find one for the kitchen for under $60. This small investment can save hundreds of dollars of damage in the future.
4. Home renovations are difficult to do in cold weather.
Some complications brought about by the winter months might convince property owners to delay major renovations until the spring. Tools and materials must be stored correctly to prevent them from getting wet. Walkways must be properly cleared of snow and ice to prevent injury. Sleet and snow can obviously make renovations difficult, but some other unexpected problems can crop up.
When an old can of paint is used to give a fresh coat of paint to a house, for example, homeowners sometimes encounter a strange phenomenon: the color of the paint changed! An unfortunate side effect of cold weather is the subtle discoloration of paint. Due to the fickle nature of the way that we perceive color, this mistake may not even be noticed until days after the coat of paint is applied. Paint can also grow lumpy and have a strange texture if it is frozen and thawed repeatedly, which can result in a huge mess.
These are some of the winter considerations that many new homeowners find out the hard way. While these problems might be a concern, informed property owners will be able to prevent major issues from developing. In the long run, prepared individuals can save a lot of money they would otherwise spend on repairs.