It’s almost the end of winter, which means that it is almost the start of a new season and the onset of spring. When it comes to the warmer weather and this transitional season, it’s important to be mindful of the fact that just because winter is behind you, that doesn’t mean that common household problems stop occurring, because that isn’t the case. The truth is that household problems occur throughout the season, regardless of the weather.
Just like every season, spring comes with many worries and concerns for homeowners, from the flood threat to issues with pest invasions. Spring may not be the time when homes are most prone to problems, but there are many household issues can occur. However, there is good news – dealing with these common issues is much easier than you would think, it’s just a case of knowing what steps to take, that’s all.
Below you’ll find the most common problems that could affect your home in spring how to deal with them, being discussed. If you want to take care of your home and ensure that nothing causes serious damage, take note of our following advice.
A Cracked Ceiling
If you’ve only recently noticed a crack in your ceiling, you’re probably worrying about what’s caused it, and more importantly, how to fix it. If it’s in the attic, then this could be linked to the colder winter weather that you’ve just had. If it’s somewhere else in your home, it could be linked to the house’s foundations or a damp or mold problem. Sometimes a crack can be caused by the property settling over time, but other times there can be a more serious issue behind it. If you’re ever unsure of the cause of a crack, always call in an expert. After all, it’s always best to be safe rather than sorry, isn’t it?
For instance, if the crack is damp or actually wet, it may be being caused by a leak in the pipes caused by the change in weather from colder weather to warmer weather. If this is the case, you need to call a plumber as soon as possible, because the longer you leave it, the worse the problem will get. The plumber won’t be able to fix the ceiling itself, but they’ll be able to stop the leak, which is vital for protecting your home from serious damage. Once the water has been stopped, you need to call a building and plastering company to deal with the structural damage or assess if there is any. Remember, any work won’t be able to be completed until the wetness has dried out.
Frost
Even in spring, frost is still a factor that is important to consider in terms of your home’s health. Most mornings at the start of spring, you’ll wake up to frost coating your lawn rather than a dew, like in the warmer months. While it looks harmless enough, over time frost can cause damage to your home, especially if it gets into any cracks in the walls, roof or foundations, making them larger and more dangerous.
Water can get into small cracks in the building or its foundations and expand them as it freezes. This can then allow water to get into places that it shouldn’t do and cause damp and other associated problems, like mold. The most common cause of damp is rising damp, a damp that is notoriously difficult and expensive to treat. To avoid issues from occurring due to frost, make sure to keep an eye on any small cracks in your home’s exterior, and have them dealt with by an expert as soon as possible.
Another problem with frost is that if the weather is cold enough, it can freeze your home’s water pipes. This can be a serious issue because the pressure can cause the pipes to explode and break, which can then lead to flooding as the water defrosts. The most important thing in this instance is to turn on any faucets that the pipe is attached to, as this will help to relieve the pressure and prevent the pipe from bursting, as the water has somewhere to go. If you are concerned, always consult an expert for advice – a plumber is usually the best person to speak when it comes to these certain issues.
Pests
While pests are more common in winter than any other time of the year, they can still pose a threat during the spring. As many pests come out of hibernation, from mice and rats to insects and bugs, they look for somewhere warm to move into, such as your home. The issue with pests is that one pest can become thousands in just a few short weeks, taking over your home.
If your home has any cracks or holes anywhere in it, such as the roof, then pests can get in. Just one pest can lead to an infestation, which can quickly cause serious damage to your home. That’s why it’s so important that you call an expert as soon as you notice any signs of pests, from scuffling sounds in the walls to droppings around your home, that you call in the experts, like Go-Forth Pest Control of Winston-Salem, who are equipped to deal with the issue quickly and efficiently. While you can attempt to deal with pests yourself, it’s much better to hire an expert to do it for you.
If you are worried about a pest problem, such as a nest in your attic, it’s often best not to even look for it, and call in a contractor to deal with it. After all, some pests can be dangerous. This is especially true when there’s a nest of bugs, such as wasps, as sometimes nests can hold thousands of insects or animals. For instance, wasps nests can hold tens of thousands of wasps – that’s a lot of wasps to have flying around your home.
Bad Weather
The spring months are known for being seriously temperamental, especially wet and windy. The problem is that this kind of weather can lead to all kinds of problems for buildings, from fallen trees causing damage, to flooding occurring due to heavy rain.
Seriously bad weather can have various impact on your home, from strong gusts of wind to heavy rain and even snow. This kind of severe weather can cause damage to your home in a range of ways, from issues with your roof tiles to clogged up guttering causing household damp. Then there is the issue of natural disasters linked to the weather, such as flooding which can have a huge impact on your home. Sometimes, we aren’t aware of how serious bad weather can be and the impact that it can have.
If damage from severe bouts of weather is left, it can end up causing all kinds of serious household issues. A cracked roof tile can allow water into your home, leading to damp, for instance, which can spread quickly through your home. Before bad weather occurs, make sure to do a check of your property, to ensure it’s as secure as possible. Then, after bad weather, take the time to check your home again, looking out for any issues that the weather may have caused, such as cracks in the exterior walls, for example. Think of your home like a car, if you don’t get your car serviced and maintained properly, it won’t run properly and will become unreliable – a house is the same.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to preventing winter-related problems is to be aware of what they could potentially turn into if left alone. So, take note of the tips and advice above, and you have a better chance of avoiding some of the most common winter-related household issues. You can’t avoid every issue, which is why having adequate home insurance in place is so crucial, but if you can be aware of the most common problems, this can help to reduce the damage that your home falls foul to.
If you spot a problem, never ignore it. When you ignore a household problem, or a potential problem, it can often become far worse. That’s why it’s a good idea to deal with things as and when they crop up, as often that means they require less care. If a problem is dealt with sooner rather than later, it tends to be easier to treat and also tends to cost less too, which is a bonus of treating issues early. When it comes to home maintenance, saving money wherever you can is a must, as houses are expensive to run at the best of times.
Spring is a season that can be highly temperamental, which is why it’s so important to take care of your home. If you are going to keep your home safe from the elements and the issues that they can cause, you need to be aware of what the potential issues are, as well as how you can prevent damage from occurring. Obviously, not all damage can be prevented, but if you know what steps to take, a high amount of damage can be avoided. It’s not always easy keeping your home in good working order, but by taking the right steps, you can make it easier for yourself.