Check Your Home for Winter Weather Damage

Our team at CertaPro Painters® of Shrewsbury, MA talks to many homeowners who are concerned about the exterior of their home during the winter. Whether you are planning on scheduling an exterior painting project for spring or just want to be safe, there are some places around and on your home you should be checking throughout these winter months. The winter brings cold temps and more extreme weather conditions, which can lead to some serious damage to your home. Several problems tend to arise over the winter months, and it is important that you stay on top of them. The most common issues we see arise are damage done to roofs, foundations and pipes. If you suspect any damage due to the winter weather conditions, keep reading to find out how to tackle these issues.

1. Roof Damage – This is most likely where the damage will occur on your home throughout the winter months. Snow that melts on the roof, runs to the edges, and refreezes leads to leaks and damage done to the shingles. Wind, hail and other winter weather conditions can tear off the shingles. If you have leaks in your roof you will need to fix them promptly in order to avoid needing to completely replace your roof. If you discover any of the above on your roof, you can place a large tarp over the area that is damaged until you are ready to get it repaired. You will also want to remove the snow and ice as soon as possible before it causes even more issues.
2. Trees – This can be a dangerous one. Make sure there are no overhanging branches. If you have older trees in your yard that snow and ice is accumulating on, call a professional service to have the branches removed.
3. Siding – Hail or falling tree limbs tend to be the top 2 causes of damage to a home’s siding. Any damage to the siding of your home needs to be quickly repaired to avoid any further damage to your home.
4. Pipes – Cold temperatures can mean trouble for your pipes. Make sure they are properly insulated and check for any cracks or leaks.
5. Chimney – If moisture invades the bricks on your chimney ultimately causing the chimney not to function properly anymore.
6. Gutter Damage – Heavy ice buildup on the edge of roof will pull your gutters apart from the roofline and they will ultimately need to be replaced. You can try and prevent this by cleaning your gutters before the start of winter. Heating mechanisms are sold that will help melt ice throughout the winter months.
7. Paint – Hail, wind, snow, ice, etc. can all take a toll on the exterior of your house. It tends to cause damage to the paint which leaves your home more exposed to moisture which will lead to rot, and you will end up needing even more repairs. Consider repainting your home before the winter months come to try and help avoid this.

If you are thinking about scheduling an exterior paint project this spring or summer, contact us today! The first step is to schedule a free, no obligation estimate. We look forward to talking to you soon!