Now that November is here, the temperatures outside have significantly dropped. Things may be a lot colder outside, but you shouldn’t notice it too much when you are at home. After all, you can turn on the heating and get snug on your sofa! However, even though you can forget about the cold once you are inside, that doesn’t mean that you should erase it completely from your mind. And that’s because it can have a significant effect on your property. Without you even realizing it! Would you like to know more about the effect the cold has on your home? Here are some of the most important points.
Dry Indoor Air
It is ever so easy for the cold air from outside to seep into your home. But even though this often occurs, you may not notice it. Especially if you have your heating on full blast. It is also much more noticeable in homes which are quite drafty. The main problem with this dry air is that it plays havoc with your skin. You will notice that your skin starts to dry out and will become a lot more flakey. Another effect of the dry air is that you could end up noticing you get shocked from static electricity more often! Thankfully, there are some easy solutions to this. Using a humidifier can greatly help. That’s because the appliance will replace a lot of moisture in the air. Making sure your home is free from any drafts can also make a big difference.
Frozen Pipes
The cold can also have an effect on the pipes in your property without you realizing as well. Especially those that are outside the main building, either underground or in sheds. The cold causes the water in the pipes to freeze. And when water freezes it can expand by quite a bit. If your pipes get too cold and the water freezes for a long period, the expansion could end up bursting the pipes. There are a number of ways to prevent this, though. Firstly, you can keep them warm with pipe heat tape. Secondly, keeping your thermostat turned on at a constant temperature can also help. That’s because it prevents the water’s temperature from dipping too low. If you have a vacation planned during the winter, consider turning your property’s water completely off while you are away. This will drain the water from the pipes, and then they won’t be able to freeze.
Damp
Once the temperatures start to dip outside, your house will be at an increased risk of damp and mold. This is because there will be such a large difference between the outside temperature and the temperature of your heated home. Damp will find it easier to penetrate your walls. Not only that, though, but you will also find more condensation inside your home. This will encourage mold to grow on problem areas on your walls. One of the best ways to deal with damp is to paint your walls in a damp-resistant paint or sealant.