How freezing temperatures may affect your home
Another common issue this time of year is frozen pipes.
White Plains-based home inspector Joe Mazza met with News 12 on Thursday to discuss "ice damming" and frozen pipes this time of year, and how to prevent both from occurring.
Mazza says one major way heat loss occurs in a home is when an attic is not well insulated.
This can cause what is called "ice damming."
"When it is not well insulated, the heat from your house goes straight through your attic, hits your roofline, melts the snow, snow turns to ice, and then that ice goes right underneath your shingles. that is called ice damming...when it goes under the shingles and right back into your house," said home inspector Joe Mazza.
Mazza recommends combatting this by properly insulating your attic space and closing any holes.
Another common issue this time of year is frozen pipes.
According to the American Red Cross, pipes that run against exterior walls, walls with little to no insulation, or pipes in unheated areas, are at risk of freezing when temperatures reach below 32 degrees.
"Ways to avoid that: keep those cabinets open, keep the heat on in your house, and if they are prone for freezing. Get a space heater, an oil-filled space heater. I do not like the red coiled ones, and I never would leave a space heater unattended," said Mazza.
Mazza says if you must use an extension cord, to make sure it is rated for the space heater itself.
He also recommended keeping a steady trickle on sink faucets which can also help against freezing pipes, and to know where your main incoming water valve is located in your home.
"The first thing you should always know is where your main incoming water valve is in your house," said Mazza. "If a pipe breaks and it bursts and starts shooting water out, how are you going to turn that off?"
As water freezes, it expands and if a pipe bursts, its important to shut the valve off until a plumber can come.
Overall, Mazza said that "properly insulating your house is the way to go."
For more information, tips, and tricks, check out Joe Mazza on instagram at @joemazzahomeinspections.
