Common Areas Of Home Damage From Winter

It’s a good time of year to do a spring spot check on your home

Winter weather is harsh on the 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 drywall and 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.

When you’re ready to tackle your next painting project why not give CertaPro of Rochester Hills a call at 248-842-0967 or schedule a free estimate online today!