Exterior Home Projects

With longer days and better weather, now is the time to inspect the outside of your home for winter damage and address any underlying issues before they turn into costly repairs. These are some outdoor projects to to tackle.

The Roof

The roof is an important part of your home’s defense system against the elements. Being leak free is incredibly important to ward off other issues that can leave you with really expensive repairs.

If you’re brave, get the ladder and head up to the roof. You’ll want to climb around and get a close look at your shingles or tiles. Look for warping or damage to any of the protective layers. You should follow up by climbing into the attic and checking for any areas of dampness in the ceiling or insulation.

Climbing around the attic and roof isn’t for the faint of heart. If you are concerned about getting into these areas of your home, do not skip it! There are crews that do nothing but inspect roofs all day long. If you skip this inspection, you could be costing yourself thousands of dollars in repairs later.

The same goes for any issues you do uncover. Do not delay. Get a professional to help you repair the problems immediately. Catching the issues now can allow you to head off the more extensive repairs you’d need if you let it fester.

Look for any areas of the roof where you have a build up of leaves and debris. These can deteriorate into a mossy mess that needs to be manually removed and cleaned. While this is the least of the issues that can crop up on a roof left unattended, you will want to take care of it nonetheless.

Gutters and Drains

While you have the ladder out, give your gutters and drains a once over. You’ll want to make sure the gutters are free of debris and allowing water to drain freely from the home. Sometimes ice and debris can weigh down the gutters, causing them to separate from the roof. Wind is especially damaging to gutters, so check for loose guttering and re-tighten. Make sure you repair broken sections of guttering, and if need be, replace with new.

Be sure downspouts are still fully functional so that water can drain appropriately. Test your eaves and drains to make sure that water is being directed out away from your home. This can be done by running some hose water down the gutters.

Once the water gets away from the foundation of your home, make sure it has somewhere to go. Drains can get clogged with the same debris as gutters. This can cause a back up of water and overflowing onto roads and walkways.

Exterior Walls

Exterior walls of homes have the ability to take quite a beating over the winter months. Wind, rain, ice and other elements can take a toll on your exterior paint shielding. An annual inspection can allow you to head off further damage to your walls and paint.

To find potential problems with your exterior paint and walls, walk around your house and look for damp patches that outlive the morning dew. These are common near windows, doors and gutters. Inspect carefully around downspouts and gutters. Rainfall should be channeled away from the house.

Paint failure can present itself in a number of ways including peeling, cracking, bubbling, alligatoring and chalking. Any of these issues means you should consult a professional about the viability of your paint and potential repairs and repainting.

Pests

Pests find a way of getting in your home, no matter how vigilant you are. Look for small holes or cracks that insects use to make their homes. Once they find a way in, it’s hard to get them out. Should you find any unwanted tenants, attack them with pest sprays then seal the entrances they used with caulk or sealant.

Chimneys

Most chimneys are made of brick and mortar. After a long winter, the mortar between bricks can become saturated with water or brittle and fall away. Either will require a bit of work to repair, but is not impossible. So before you seal up the chimney for summer, do a once over and make sure yours is in good condition. If you notice a chalky deposit on your bricks, this is a sign of efflorescence, a by-product of moisture penetration. This will require a professional to diagnose and address.

Windows

Windows can be somewhat vulnerable to the elements. While it’s necessary to provide constant care for them, it’s usually a simple repair. When windows expand and contract with weather, it strains the frames and joints around it allowing water to find a way in. To repair this problem, all you need to do is paint or seal your window frames. This will provide protection to the wood and allow the problem areas to be sealed.

Decks and Patios

In summer, the deck or patio is the perfect place to hang out. During the winter months, precipitation can take a toll on it. Typically by spring, your deck or patio will have mold, moss and weeds. Pull the weeds and get a power washer to clean up the area in a jiffy. If you are pressure washing a wooden surface, be careful not to use a PSI that is too high. You could cause divoting in the wood. It’s better to start lower and work your way up.

Trees and Foliage

While trees and foliage are beautiful to look at, it requires some manicuring to keep it that way. Having bushes and trees close to your home and touching it can allow pests and moisture related problems to crop up. While the plants are still trying to grow back, take some time to trim branches and stalks that are too close to your home. A good rule of thumb is that a person should be able to walk between the plants and your home. In addition, if you are having any repairs or painting work done, this is the first step.

Foundation

While most of the emphasis on spring jobs include the top and sides of your house, don’t ignore the foundation. This is one of the most important areas to inspect. The gutter and wall maintenance you have done was all to protect the foundation below.

Look for cracks in the concrete foundation as a sign that you might need help. Some cracks develop naturally, others are a sign that your foundation is suffering and needs immediate attention. If they are growing or gaining in length or width, you should alert a professional for an inspection. Some can easily be repaired with filler or sealant.

If your foundation shows signs of wetness, you should set yourself up for a termite hunt. Since the buggers love moist soil, they are likely not far off. Dampness can also indicate your drainage isn’t working properly or water is leaking from somewhere in your walls. Either way, this will mean more investigative work to find the problem.

Get Help

If you come across any of these issues and need a professional to help you, our team is ready. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our estimate team to discuss your project and needs.