πΎππππ π©ππ ππ€πͺπ¨π! Common Cold-Weather Damage
This unprecedented cold weather has caused a lot of damages to homes and docks across the Lake of the Ozarks. Your Favorite Real Estate Team is here to help you with a list of damages you should check for during this time to make sure everything is in good condition. Keep reading and get started checking things off the list!
Weight of Snow
We've had a lot of snow over the past couple weeks. As the sun melts the snow during the day and refreezes during the cold temperatures at night, it can turn the sheets of snow on the house into sheets of heavy ice. All this added weight can cause damage to your roof. You may not even notice the damage until everything thaws out and starts leaking into the house. Call a roofing expert to come check before interior damage occurs.
Freezing Damage from the Gutters
If your gutters weren't cleaned out in the fall, then it's possible that water got backed up and frozen inside the gutters. If it freezes all the way to the house, then it could cause cracks and damage in your siding as the ice expands.
Cracks Expanding
Dry air and cold temperatures can also cause the gaps in your home to widen. For example, the sealing around your windows could crack and allow more cold air into the house. Check your windows and doors and reseal with fresh caulk if you notice a lot of cracking happening.
Frozen Pipes
When the temperature drops this low for this long, it is very possible that your water pipes will freeze. If that happens, they can crack or burst and cause serious flooding issues. In order to keep water moving through the pipes and allow for expansion without pressure buildup, keep your faucets and showers on a very low drip. This is a good idea to do any time the temperature outside is below 20-degrees Fahrenheit for very long.
Moisture from Melting
As the snow and ice melts, it can cause a lot of moisture damage to your home. Mold and mildew love this kind of moisture and can grow on your door casings, decking, siding, etc. Melting snow can also cause leaks and flooding in basements if they aren't properly sealed.
Special Lakeside Considerations
The Lake of the Ozarks is a beautiful place to live! But it also comes with a few special considerations if you have a lakefront home during weather like this.
Dock Damage
It's been a very long time since the entire Lake of the Ozarks has frozen over like this. If you haven't been out to take a look lately, nearly every cove is completely frozen over. Even the main channel has had ice shore to shore. This is bad news for dock owners! The layer of ice immobilizes the dock, so when the water levels are lowered, the dock can't flex like it's supposed to. This causes bending, warping, cracking, and even more damage that can cost thousands of dollars. Make sure to take a look at your dock to see if damage has occurred. To prevent issues in the future, it may be a good idea to purchase a deicer to keep the water around your dock moving so it won't freeze.
Septic Tanks
A lot of lakefront homes use septic tanks rather than the sewer system. These septic tanks have pumps that are essential to functioning properly. If these pumps freeze, you could have some serious issues with your septic tank, and no one wants that. Make sure to take a peek at your tank and call a professional if something seems off.
Your Favorite Real Estate Team at the Lake
The Lake of the Ozarks is an incredible place to live full-time, even during all this cold weather. If you would like to buy a home in this paradise, give our team of local real estate experts a call and we would be more than happy to help find your dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks!
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