Houses built today must comply with strict safety and health codes. On the other hand, old houses, although they have a lot of charm and character, are much more prone to safety issues – which may range from old and fragile roofs to problems related to the electrical installation, or poor staircases.
Hazards related to winter storms are typically generated by strong winds and heavy precipitation, which, in winter, come in the form of snow, blizzards, and hail.
Strong winds are part of the category of spontaneous phenomena and may cause great material losses, increasing the impact on air conductors, tall buildings, raising dust and snow, worsening visibility and affecting roofs, windows, and building facades in general, and causing a need for roof repair immediately.
Another potential problem that can make an old house unsafe is improper electrical installation. While such an installation has certainly done its job in the past, now the demand for electricity for a home is significantly higher. This pressure, combined with a winter storm with electric discharges, can cause fires of electrical origin. Statistics show that electric fires occur 3 times more often in homes that are older than 40 years, compared to homes that are up to 20 years old.
Why Older Homes Require Extra Attention Before Winter
The DMV region is home to a rich mix of historic neighborhoods and older housing stock. From the brick colonials of Bethesda to the century-old farmhouses of Western Maryland, many of the homes in this area were built long before today’s building standards existed. That history is part of what makes these properties special. It is also part of what makes them more vulnerable when severe weather arrives.
Roofing systems on older homes may have been installed decades ago using materials that have long since exceeded their intended lifespan. Gutters that have never been replaced may be pulling away from the fascia. Windows and doors may no longer seal properly, allowing cold air, moisture, and wind-driven rain to work their way inside. Siding that has weathered years of freeze-thaw cycles may have cracks and gaps that are invisible until a storm forces water through them.
None of these issues are reasons to love an older home any less. But they are reasons to take winter preparation seriously, and to have a trusted contractor inspect and address vulnerabilities before the next storm season arrives. At American Custom Contractors, we have been helping homeowners across Maryland and the broader DMV region protect their properties for over 50 years. We know what older homes are up against, and we know what it takes to keep them standing strong through whatever winter brings.
