Mold Prevention and Home Maintenance in the Winter

It’s not uncommon during the colder winter months to be met with unexpected surprises such as a burst pipe or excess condensation inside your home.  As the temperature drops and we all get ready for a real blast of winter it’s a good time to remember to take precautions to make sure we don’t run into any unexpected problems.

• If you haven’t done so already, it’s a good idea to shut off any water valves that supply water to the exterior of your home.  With sub-zero temperatures it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself with a slushy surprise.
• If this is the time of year that you head south for the winter, be sure to keep your furnace running (even a little) while you are away.  If you have the luxury of having a friend or family member close by who can come in and check on your home while you are away, you should make arrangements now.  Be sure that all taps are closed so you don’t come home to a messy surprise.
• While it is cold and dry outside the temptation to keep your home really warm and humid seems like a good idea.  Be conscious of excess condensation on windows and window frames.  This excess condensation can create an undesirable issue – mold.
• If we get a reasonable amount of snow, there is a hidden opportunity to see if your home is losing heat.  Take the time to look at your roof and see if you have an even distribution of snow covering your home.  Your roof should have similar snow coverage to your neighbours.  If you notice that there are some “bald spots” in area’s where there are no exhaust vents this could be an indication that you are losing heat through the roof of your home.  It may be time to check the attic and ensure you have an appropriate amount of insulation that is evenly distributed.
• When shovelling snow outside, make sure to move the snow away from the foundation of your home and ensure all exterior drains are free of debris.  At some point the snow will melt and you want to make sure the water has somewhere to go – preferably away from your home.

It doesn’t take much for a small problem to become a big problem.  A little bit of maintenance can go a long way to keep your home safe, dry and mold free.