Portland, Maine – Another wave of Arctic air is preparing to descend on Maine, and many homeowners are about to learn that ignoring small winter prep details can lead to major problems once temperatures plunge and stay there.
As colder air settles in across the state, homes that weren’t fully prepared earlier in the season are showing signs of stress. The most common issue remains frozen pipes, particularly in basements, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls where insulation is often lacking. Even brief overnight temperature drops can be enough to freeze exposed lines.
Clogged exterior vents are another overlooked problem. Dryer, bathroom, and kitchen exhaust vents can become blocked by lint, snow, or ice, trapping moisture that freezes and forces air and water back into the home. This can lead to interior moisture damage and increased fire risk.
Ice dams continue to be a costly headache across Maine. Uneven attic insulation allows heat to escape through the roof, melting snow that refreezes along colder roof edges. Water then backs up under shingles, damaging ceilings, walls, and insulation. Homes in Portland with older roofs are especially vulnerable.
Blocked sump pump discharge lines also create trouble during prolonged cold. When outlet pipes freeze, water has nowhere to go, raising the risk of basement flooding during brief warmups or heavy snowmelt.
Heating system neglect rounds out the top five. Furnaces and boilers that haven’t been serviced can fail under extreme demand, forcing residents to rely on space heaters, which increases the risk of electrical overloads and house fires.
Homeowners are urged to insulate exposed pipes, clear snow and debris from exterior vents, keep roof edges clear when safe, and make sure heating systems are running efficiently before the cold tightens its grip. More cold-related alerts are likely as January’s harsh weather pattern continues across Maine.
