Our flat walkways, steep roof pitches and design, and insulated and protected foundations are all features of how homes across New England and other cold-climate regions are built to withstand the harsh winter weather and snow. While we use modern and energy-efficient windows and building materials to keep homes warm all winter long, Mother Nature helps too.
Snow acts as a natural insulator, helping to maintain a home’s heat and prevent excessive heat loss from the cold ground and air outside. The snow essentially acts likes a blanket covering the soil and insulating a home’s foundation, which can lead to lower heating bills in colder climates. The deeper the snowpack, the better the insulation.
But as climate change is shifting the winter weather patterns and often causing more rain and sleet instead of snow, homes built for four seasons can experience challenges when the seasons begin to blend together.
Learn how your home can be impacted when the winter weather is more wet, than white:
Homes can experience more ground water concerns and flooding. Grounds that are semi-frozen during the winter become less permeable to rain, sleet and melting ice. The precipitation will sit on the ground’s surface unable to soak in, making its way into foundations, crawl spaces and basements, causing water damage in homes. These repairs can become out-of-pocket expenses for a homeowner, as “ground water concerns” are often not covered by homeowner’s insurance policies.
Ice Dams can become more common with winter temperature and weather changes. When there is snow that becomes frozen and then quickly thaws, ice dams can build up causing costly water damage outside and inside homes.
Mold will continue to grow and spread in homes experiencing water damage. When we don’t experience cold and dry winters, microbial growth (mold) has a continued opportunity to thrive in your warm home’s interior and exterior. Mold can begin to form in as little as 24-48 hours after water damage occurs and will simply need heat in a home (ideal conditions 68 degrees to 86 degrees) and an organic food source such as wood, paper, dust, discarded hair and a variety of building materials. Mold can quickly spread in homes and damage items it comes into contact with.
Damage to carpets and floors. The wet winter weather, sand and salt we track inside our homes on our shoes and boots can grind into floors, tile and carpet fibers, making them appear dirty and dull. The precipitation from footwear can also cause mold and mushrooms to form in our carpets that requires proper mold remediation.
Heating systems work more effectively with consistent, colder conditions. When temperatures fluctuate, your home heating system is stopping and starting over-and-over, trying to keep pace with temperature changes and working less effectively to heat your home. This can also cause particulates to build up and clog the nozzles on boilers, potentially leading to a puffback with oily soot and residue spreading throughout a homes.
Higher levels of humidity in the home. With a warmer and wetter winter season, your furnace isn’t running as frequently and not pulling all of the moisture out of homes. This can cause higher levels of humidity in homes and may require use of a humidifier not just in hot summer months, but year round. To avoid mold growth and other concerns, humidity levels in homes should average between 40% to 60%.
When ticks, fleas and mites aren’t killed from months of winter weather and cold, they often find their way indoors by way of your pets. These pests can often live undetected in winter on your pets bedding, on clothing, or even a home’s upholstery or carpets. As winters become warmer, pet owners need to be more vigilant and continue treating their pets with preventative measures, and may need to clean carpets and floors more often.
When winter weather becomes warmer-than-usual in your area, you may need to take extra precautions like checking foundations for water damage, addressing roof or gutter concerns to prevent ice dams, and preventing mold growth by utilizing dehumidifiers and quickly addressing water damage.
If you experience winter weather issues like water damage, puffbacks or mold growth, taking a DIY approach isn’t always the best. For over 34 years, ServiceMaster By Mason has provided mitigation, restoration and remediation services when water, mold, sewage, fire or smoke damage occurs at homes or businesses. Learn more about our mold cleanup and water mitigation services and how we can assist with issues big and small at www.servicemasterbymason.com.
