You may be warm and cozy inside, but in the winter, your house is taking a beating. The snow, ice, slush, salt and dirt combine to wreak havoc on the outside of the home, and the cold temperatures don't leave the interior unscathed either. Being vigilant during this season will keep these common problems from developing into bigger issues for you to deal with.

Here are some of the things you should watch out for:

• Water line leaks and breaks. These create a serious problem and are often caused by a simple mistake: leaving a garden hose attached to an outdoor faucet in freezing temperatures. The water freezes inside the hose and causes pressure to build up in the water lines, eventually causing a break.
• Ice dams. This common winter roofing problem occurs when snow melts at the top of the roof, then trickles down and re-freezes into a large clump of ice surrounding the bottom of the roof and the gutters. As more ice accumulates, it can wrench the gutters away from the house and pull shingles from the roof, causing roof leakage.
• Condensation under the roof. If your attic is improperly insulated, warm air rising from the living areas of your house will condense when it comes in contact with the cold inside of the roof. This can cause mold and mildew to form, which can in turn cause health problems in the people who live in the home.
• Water heating issues. There is perhaps nothing more frustrating than going to take a hot shower on a freezing cold day, then realizing your water heater isn't working. Having your water heater serviced ahead of time is a good way to prevent these problems.

If you're buying a home this winter, contact Alban Inspections for a home inspection to check for these problems and more.