The polar vortex may be gone, but winter is still going strong in many parts of the U.S. That means you still have to be careful driving, walking, or even taking care of your home. Extreme winter weather can cause damage to your home that may inconvenience or harm your family, and will need immediate repair. Here are some ways in which winter weather can damage your home.

Roof Collapse

Snow settling on the roof can cause roof collapse. Snow may seem light, but the weight of even a few inches can cause damage. Keep your roof clear of snow if possible, and find a roofing contractor in Indianapolis to prepare your roof for the winter and make sure it’s safe. You can also call a contractor like Coomer Roofing Contractors if any damage is done to make sure it’s repaired safely.

Tree Branches

If you don’t notice that graceful elm’s dead branch, you’ll certainly notice it when it comes crashing through your roof. The weight of snow can cause old, dead branches to collapse and fall on your home or even your neighbor’s home, creating a great deal of damage. Every fall, inspect your trees for dead or damaged branches.

Burst Pipes

When the water inside your pipes freezes in extreme cold, the ice can expand causing the pipe to burst causing a big flood to clean up. Installing heat sleeves and keeping cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate can combat this problem.

Ice Dams

Ice dams happen when water accumulates near the gutter, especially if the roof is sloped. When the ice forms, it forces melting snow or rain up under the shingles, which can allow water to drip inside your attic or down the interior walls, causing rot and mold to form. You can combat this by ventilating your attic, and by keeping it cold. The less heat available to your attic, the less likely ice is to melt above your gutters.

Fires

Power outages can sometimes cause power surges. In the winter, people use space heaters and build fires in their fireplaces, both of which can be a fire hazard if you aren’t careful. Open flames should always be attended, and space heaters should never be used without attention. If you have a power outage, unplug anything you’re not using and turn off the circuit breaker to prevent power surges.

These are just a few of the dangers your home may face in the wintertime, but it’s very important to combat them. Fortunately, this damage can be easy to prevent with just a few simple steps. Of course, if you experience one of these emergencies, call a professional to help you get back to normal.