7 Common Winter Home Disasters (And How to Prevent Them Before January Hits)
Hey there, Salt Lake Valley homeowners! Hope you're keeping warm in energy efficient ways (check out our blog on how to get warm without burning unnecessary cash.) Winter can bring a lot of problems, and here's the thing that drives me crazy: most effects from winter disasters are totally preventable. You just need to know what to look for and take action before that first big snowfall hits.
So grab a cup of coffee, and let's talk about seven common winter nightmares: and more importantly, how you can avoid them completely.
1. Burst Pipes: The #1 Winter Emergency Call
Nothing ruins a cold morning quite like discovering a burst pipe has turned your basement into an indoor swimming pool (or even worse, an ice rink.) As a home repair**** specialist in Salt Lake, I can tell you that frozen pipes can cause a massive amount of damage to your beloved home.
Here's what happens: When water freezes, it expands by about 9%. That expansion creates massive pressure inside your pipes: sometimes over 2,000 pounds per square inch. Even the strongest pipes can't handle that kind of stress.
Prevention is simple:
Insulate any pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, attics, and garages
Keep cabinet doors open under sinks during cold snaps to let warm air circulate
Let faucets drip slightly when temperatures drop below 20°F
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before the first freeze
The pipes that burst most often? The ones running along exterior walls and in unfinished basements. A $20 pipe insulation kit can save you thousands in water damage restoration.
2. Ice Dams: The Silent Roof Destroyer
Ice dams look pretty, but they're absolute killers for your roof and interior. I see these whenever I drive past homes in the early morning after snowfall: those thick icicles hanging from gutters aren't just decorative. They're a warning sign.
Ice dams form when heat escapes from your attic, melting snow on your roof. The melted water runs down to the cold edge and refreezes, creating a dam. When more snow melts, that water has nowhere to go except under your shingles and into your house.
Stop ice dams before they start:
Clean gutters thoroughly before winter (I mean spotless: not a single leaf)
Add attic insulation to prevent heat loss
Seal air leaks around attic penetrations
Install proper attic ventilation
Trust me, spending $300 on gutter cleaning beats dealing with $5,000 in ceiling repairs come February. Be careful when clearing ice from your gutters and roof. We appreciate a DIY spirit, but we've got specialists on our team that can take care of it efficiently and safely if you don't feel comfortable being up on an icy roof.
3. Deck and Woodwork Damage from Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Utah's crazy temperature swings wreak havoc on outdoor wood structures. One day it's 45°F and sunny, the next it's 15°F with snow. This freeze-thaw cycle splits deck boards, loosens railing posts, and creates safety hazards.
As a Utah handyman who's worked with a number of decks, I frequently see cracked boards, wobbly railings, and rotted support posts. These major disasters that crop up in the spring frequently started as minor damage in the winter.
Protect your investment:
Apply fresh deck stain or sealant every fall
Clear snow off decks after heavy storms (wet snow is heavy and destructive, and be sure to use a plastic shovel if possible so you don't gouge the wood)
Check for loose fasteners and tighten before winter
Trim back any vegetation touching your deck
Wood movement from temperature changes is normal, but proper maintenance keeps small issues from becoming major repairs.
4. Electrical Issues from Snow and Ice
Heavy snow and ice storms knock out power lines, but they also create dangerous situations right at your house. Snow buildup can pull electrical lines loose from homes, and ice accumulation can damage outdoor electrical boxes.
Keep your electrical systems safe:
Trim tree branches away from power lines (call professionals for this)
Clear snow away from your electrical meter and outdoor outlets
Check that your main electrical panel is accessible and not blocked by storage
Test GFCI outlets monthly: cold weather can cause them to trip unexpectedly
Never ignore a flickering light or an outlet that stops working in winter. Cold temperatures can reveal wiring problems that need immediate attention from a qualified electrician.
5. Foundation Cracks and Basement Flooding
April showers bring May flowers, but April snowmelt can bring basement flooding (sorry for the lack of a rhyme; I'm a handyman, not a poet.) The combination of frozen ground and massive snowmelt creates perfect conditions for foundation leaks.
Water can't soak into frozen soil, so it flows toward your house instead. Add poor drainage around your foundation, and you've got a recipe for basement flooding.
Protect your foundation now:
Grade soil away from your foundation (6-inch drop over 6 feet minimum)
Extend downspouts at least 6 feet from your house
Seal any visible foundation cracks before they freeze and expand
Test your sump pump if you have one: make sure it's working before you need it
Foundation repairs are expensive and disruptive. A little prevention work now saves massive headaches later. It's fine to DIY what you can, but if a crack is wider than 1/8 of an inch or shows signs of bowing, I would advise letting one of our team's foundational experts take a look at it.
6. HVAC System Failures
Your furnace works overtime during Salt Lake Valley winters, and that extra stress reveals problems fast. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten emergency calls about furnaces dying during cold snaps, usually at the worst possible moment.
Keep your heating system running strong:
Change furnace filters monthly during winter (dirty filters kill efficiency and strain the system)
Clear snow away from outdoor heat pump units and vents
Schedule professional HVAC maintenance before December
Keep emergency space heaters on hand (but use them safely: never leave unattended)
A $150 furnace tune-up beats a $3,000 emergency replacement during a January blizzard.
7. Gutter Failures and Roof Drainage Problems
Clogged or damaged gutters cause more winter problems than almost anything else. When gutters can't handle snowmelt, water backs up under shingles, overflows onto walkways (hello, ice hazard), and saturates soil around your foundation. While someone slipping on ice might make a funny scene in a Christmas special, it's the type of scene we don't want to see play out in real life.
Maintain proper drainage:
Clean gutters twice before winter: once after leaves fall, again before first snow
Check that downspouts drain properly and aren't clogged
Repair any loose or sagging gutter sections
Consider gutter guards if you're tired of cleaning them constantly
I see the same houses every year with the same gutter problems. Don't be that homeowner.
Taking Action Before January
Look, I get it. Home maintenance isn't exciting. But spending a weekend in December checking these items off your list beats spending your tax refund on emergency repairs.
As a Salt Lake Valley handyman who's been serving families in the area for years, I've learned that the best customers are the ones who call me for prevention, not panic.
Most of these tasks are DIY-friendly, but don't hesitate to call in professionals when you're not sure. A small service call now costs way less than a major repair later.
Your winter prep checklist:
Inspect and insulate pipes in vulnerable areas
Clean gutters and check drainage
Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and attic penetrations
Service your furnace and test heating systems
Examine outdoor wood structures for damage
Clear vegetation from electrical equipment
Test sump pumps and drainage systems
Ready for a Stress-Free Winter?
Winter in the Salt Lake Valley doesn't have to mean disaster. With the right preparation, you can enjoy the snow instead of worrying about what it's doing to your house.
If you need help with any of these prevention steps, Your Handyman Pros is here to help. We've been keeping Salt Lake Valley homes safe and sound for years, and we'd love to add your property to our list of well-maintained homes.
Stay warm, stay safe, and remember: a little prevention goes a long way.
Your Handyman Pros serves homeowners and businesses throughout the Salt Lake Valley, including Herriman, Sandy, Riverton, Bountiful, West Valley City, and Magna. Contact us at 801-949-2376 for all your winter preparation needs.
