Home Exterior Winter Weather Damage Signs
Posted on March 17, 2020
Winter weather is harsh on skin, cars and even your house. now that we have hibernated the season away, it’s time to resume life. After the winter ice and snow has wreaked havoc on your house, it’s time to give it a once over. Some damage is obvious, but others are not. Here is how to spot exterior winter weather damage signs.
Exterior
The exterior of your house takes the most beating over the winter months. There are several key areas to address once the weather breaks.
Shingles
If you are comfortable with a ladder and the roof, climb up and inspect. You’ll want to look for shingles with cracks, blisters, buckling or curling. These are all signs of temperature fluctuation and water intrusion. To avoid a roof leak, now is the time to get a pro in here to inspect and repair.
Gutters
Gutters that are connected to the house are a common issue after the winter. Water and freezing rain can separate the gutters from the roof. Build up of leaves and twigs can clog downspouts and gutters causing overflow and water damage to the outside of your house.
Landscaping
Since the winter has ended and foliage is starting to bloom, it’s a good time to inspect the shrubs and trees around your house. Allowing branches to touch your home opens the house up to water damage and insect infestation. Trim back all bushes and branches so that you could fit a person between the wall and the foliage.
Windows and Doors
Window and door trim can pull away from the structure. Also caulk that had filled those gaps gets brittle and breaks away. Either way, the repair is the same. Get a paintable caulk and fill the holes. Once it’s dry, you can touch up the caulk so the repair is invisible.
Interior
While the exterior of the roof has been addressed, it’s important to inspect the inside of the roof too. Look for dampness, stains, or peeling or cracking. Winter can also damage water pipes throughout the house causing leaks in other walls. Look for sagging, cracks in plaster or peeling wall paint as a sign that something is lurking underneath.
It is best to stay on top of these things, so you don’t have to end up paying thousands of dollars to repair the damage.
