Ah, winter. It’s pretty to look at, but it can be pretty awful to clean up after. We all know how important it is to keep ourselves and our pets warm during the cold months, but what about our houses? Let’s take a look at how you can keep snow and ice from damaging your homes through this winter season and into the spring melts.

  • Don’t Pile Snow Against Your Home.

Sure, it’s snow now. But what about when it melts, or melts and refreezes? Melted snow can leak into your home as water, or refreeze to form ice dams, which can weaken structures over time.

   
 
• Use Floor Mats.

We’ve talked at length about how moisture can impact flooring, particularly hardwoods. Nice bristly mats outdoors and thick doormats at every entrance indoors do a nice job of catching clumps of unmelted snow so they don’t track into your home. Remember to wipe your feet!

For areas with heavy foot traffic like offices and businesses, consider laying down plastic runners.

   
 
• Wipe Up Snow and Ice Right Away.

Like all common sense, this bears repeating every now and then. One of the great things about waterproof flooring materials like vinyl and porcelain is knowing they can stand up to moisture. That said, wet floors are a slip and fall hazard, so be sure to get any tracked-in snow, slush, or ice swept up as soon as possible.

   
 
• Vacuum Road Salt.

Salt is essential for keeping roads and sidewalks free of hazardous ice during winter, but it can do a really nasty number on hardwood floors. That same gritty quality that adds to traction can scratch even the strongest hardwood finishes, so use care when removing it. A vacuum or a broom are your best bets; dusters that rely on pressure can lead to more scratching if the salt is pressed against the wood.

    
   
• Maintain an Appropriate Humidity Level

Yes, the weather outside is frightful, but to keep your hardwoods looking delightful, your home’s humidity levels need to be monitored a little closer this time of year. Too much dryness in the air can cause your hardwood floors to contract, so try to maintain an optimal humidity level of around 30-60%.   What steps are you taking to protect your home this winter?  

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