Winter is magical- seeing snow on the ground, counting down to Christmas and getting cosy in the evenings is always nice. However, winter can present a whole lot of challenges when it comes to your home, here’s how you can stop the bad weather wreaking havoc.

Roof damage

Strong winds can blow roof tiles right off, leaving your home exposed to the elements. Snow and ice are also a massive worry for the roof during the colder months, water from ice melting on the roof becomes trapped and can creates an ice dam on the roof, as well as gutters and downspouts. The constant freezing and unfreezing can expand and contract tiles causing them to split and crack too. Since the roof is out of view, it can be difficult to spot problems until you’re already having issues as a result of the damage. It can be worth going up on a ladder every few months and giving it a check over to make sure that everything is as it should be.

Power cuts

Storms and bad weather can knock out power lines and mean that you’re left in the dark for hours- in some cases, it could even be days at a time. Having a backup source of power is always wise, especially if you’re in an area that’s commonly affected. A diesel generator can provide power in an emergency, you could also use a log burning fire to keep warm without the need for gas or electric heating.

Leaks

Leaks can be a result of the above issue, failures in the roof. They can also occur because of burst or damaged pipes, which can become cracked in freezing weather. A burst pipe can cause massive water damage in the home, but a leaking pipe can also wreak havoc. A slow leak is harder to spot, but can seep out in attics or under floorboards causing rot and damage. One way to assess if you have a slow leak is to take a look at your water meter. If it’s higher than it should be, or is ticking upwards even without any taps or appliances on then it’s a sign that it’s escaping from somewhere. A good plumber will be able to sort this for you, it’s also worth having an emergency plumber on speed dial just in case you end up with a burst pipe.

Black mould

Black mould will form anywhere that there’s damp and moisture. This can commonly occur in winter, as the outside temperatures are cold and any moisture in the air will condensate on cool walls and ceilings. From here, mould can thrive and it can be really bad for your health, as well as ruin your home’s decor. Fit extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom to get rid of excess moisture from things like cooking and showering. Aim to open your windows for thirty minutes every day, as well as let in fresh air and let out stale air, it will remove the trapped moisture and prevent mould from forming. Another way you can prevent is to keep your house warm, it can be worth setting your central heating to come on whenever the temperature drops below a certain level.