According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, about 1 in 67 insured homes has a property damage claim due to water damage and freezing.
Winter in Maryland is famous for swinging from mild rain to bone-chilling ice in a single afternoon. So, water damage from freezing is common here. And, this is where a home inspection checklist comes in handy.
In this blog, you will learn how to protect your pipes, save money on heating, and keep your family safe from winter hazards. This home inspection checklist will help you catch small issues before they turn into five-figure repair bills. Taking an hour to walk through your house now is the best gift you can give your future self.
Why Maryland Winters Are Tough on Your Property
Our state sits in a unique spot where the Atlantic air meets the cold winds from the mountains. This creates a constant freeze-thaw cycle that wreaks havoc on brick, wood, and concrete.
Maryland residents saw this firsthand during the record-breaking 2014 Polar Vortex. Temperatures plummeted so fast that pipes froze in homes that had never had problems before.
When water inside a crack freezes, it expands with incredible force. This is how a tiny gap in your siding becomes a massive leak by February. A solid home inspection checklist helps you find these entry points while the weather is still manageable.
The Exterior Home Inspection Checklist
Start your walk outside while there is still plenty of daylight. Your goal is to make sure your home is a sealed box that keeps the elements out.
Check your gutters first. If they are full of leaves, melting snow will back up and freeze into heavy ice dams. These dams can tear the gutters right off your house or push water under your shingles.
Look at your roof from the ground using binoculars if you have them. Look for shingles that are cracked, missing, or curling at the edges.
Simply turning off outdoor faucets is not enough if a hose is still attached. Disconnect all hoses and shut off the interior valves for those lines to prevent a burst pipe in your basement.
Keeping the Heat in and the Cold Out
Heating costs in the Mid-Atlantic can skyrocket during a cold snap. Most people lose about 25% to 40% of their heat through air leaks and poor insulation.
Check the weatherstripping around your front and back doors. If you can see light peeking through the cracks, you are literally paying to heat the neighborhood.
You should check your attic insulation to see if it has settled or become damp. Wet insulation is ineffective and can lead to mold growth in the spring.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends sealing these leaks as the most cost-effective way to lower your bills. It also takes the strain off your furnace, so it doesn’t die when you need it most.
Critical Interior Safety Checks
Winter is the most dangerous time for carbon monoxide poisoning. Since we keep our windows shut tight, any leak from a gas furnace or water heater stays trapped inside.
Check every single smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace the batteries even if they are not chirping yet. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a clear guide on where to place these sensors for the best protection.
Change your furnace filter today. A dirty filter makes your system work twice as hard to move air, which can lead to a total system failure.
If you have a fireplace, look up the flue with a flashlight. You are looking for creosote buildup or bird nests that could start a chimney fire.
Protecting Your Plumbing From Deep Freezes
Frozen pipes are the most common winter disaster for a home inspection in Maryland. It usually occurs in “hidden” areas, such as crawl spaces or against outside walls.
Wrap any exposed pipes in unheated areas with foam sleeves. You can find these for a few dollars at any local hardware store.
If the weather forecast calls for temperatures below 20 degrees, let your faucets drip slowly. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water.
Open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This allows the warm air from your house to circulate around the pipes. It sounds simple, but this one trick saves thousands of homes from flooding every year.
Managing Your Home Foundation and Drainage
Pay attention to where water goes when it melts. You want everything to be at least 6 feet away from your foundation.
Maryland soil can get very soggy in the winter. If your downspouts drop water right at the base of your house, that water will freeze and put pressure on your foundation walls.
Check for cracks in your basement walls or floor. If you see white, powdery stains, that is a sign that moisture is already pushing through the masonry.
Keep a close eye on drainage to prevent basement flooding during the winter thaw.
Staying Ahead of the Maryland Winter
Winter weather does not have to be a source of stress for your family. If you follow a consistent home inspection checklist, you can enjoy the snow without worrying about what is happening behind your walls.
Regular maintenance is always cheaper than an emergency repair. Most of these tasks take less than an afternoon but provide peace of mind for the next four months.
Keep your tools and salt ready before the first flake falls. Being prepared is the only way to win against a Mid-Atlantic winter.
Secure Your Peace of Mind With ProTec Inspection Services
Sometimes, a DIY walk-through isn’t enough to detect hidden risks in your house. If you want to be certain your property is ready for the ice and snow, you need a professional pair of eyes.
ProTec Inspection Services is a professional home inspection company dedicated to protecting Maryland families. We know exactly where our local weather hits the hardest and what signs of trouble most people miss.
Contact ProTec Inspection Services today to schedule your evaluation and keep your home safe all season long.