How Homeowners in Ohio Can Endure the Pandemic

How Homeowners in Ohio Can Endure the Pandemic

We live in challenging times, with the recent pandemic causing widespread disruption across Ohio and the United States.

It has been a year of surviving, a year of battening down the hatches and fighting against adversity to come out of the other side. It has been tough on everyone, from homeowners to business owners.

We have explored how small industries could rally in our article How Business Owners in Ohio Can Endure the Pandemic. It is now the turn of homeowners, as we present a guide to seeing out the pandemic over the winter and, hopefully, moving into a brave new world in 2021.

Mortgage Assistance

For many, the financial stress of the pandemic is the real problem. Even with precautions, masks, and restricted living, bills still need to be paid, and making basic payments on mortgages and utilities. Luckily, there is help available and if you are struggling then you should certainly seek help. Cuyahoga County Council approved $2m worth of mortgage assistance and financial counseling for homeowners who have fallen behind with repayments on their homes. Help is out there and if you are struggling, reaching out is the first step to surviving the pandemic.

Appliance Maintenance

Making sure your home is in a good state of repair is vital as we move into the colder months, especially with increased financial pressure on your household. The last thing you want to find is a breakdown in one of your household appliances. HomeServe explains how problems with your washing machine can seriously slow down your household, and with laundry building up, the pressure would be on for an expensive repair.

Right now, is the time to check it, so give those appliances a clean, make sure door seals are in place and everything is functioning well – that goes for the refrigerator, washing machine and other household appliances. Keeping them in working order is vital to the household ticking over in a consistent manner, especially with more people at home over Christmas.

Winter Proofing

There is an additional threat to the home arriving – winter. Cold weather, snow, ice and long, dark nights are all upon us and they bring additional challenges, both physically and to your home. Frozen pipes in unheated crawl spaces and basements are a real problem and can cause you an expensive repair, which would come at the wrong time of year. Patch outlines how there are steps you can take to unfreeze those pipes before they become a problem, but be aware of the potential threat ahead of a problem becoming real.

Turn to Family

Surviving is not all about making sure your home is in good repair and ready for winter. It is also a state of mind and ensuring that you remain close as a family unit is vital to coming out the other side. One positive to come out of the pandemic is the use of video conferencing software, such as Zoom, to remain in contact with friends and loved ones.

It is a great way of remaining together and in touch and may even be a method you continue to turn to once the pandemic is over. Over the festive period, stay close to those you love by any means necessary and when the first signs of spring appear, we can all begin to look forward.