7 Places to Check for Winter Damage to Your Home

Your home kept you safe and warm all winter, now it’s time to see if it incurred any damage. Snow, sleet, wind and ice can cause a mess to the exterior of you home. Since the weather is warming, it’s time to get outside and survey the potential issues.

Problems that arise from the winter weather are best dealt with or risk the opportunity to get worse. Here are 7 places to check for winter damage to your home.

Roof

No matter what you choose to put on your roof, winter weather can cause damage to the protective barrier like shingles or the roof underneath. If the winter was up and down in temperature, there is the risk of ice dams. Ice dams are when the snow melts, runs to the edge of the roof and refreezes. It creates a dam that holds future rain and snow on the roof in a pool.

Winds, hail, and other storms can tear up shingles or drive water into crevices of your roof resulting in leaks. Repairs should be handled quickly to avoid further damage inside your home.

If you find the dreaded water ring in your home, tarp the area on your roof as soon as possible. If they are still present, knock ice dams down and survey the entire roof.

Gutters

Ice dams can take over your gutters too. The weight of the ice can pull your gutter away from the roofline allowing water from spring showers to spill through. Downspouts are prone to separations under the best of conditions, so if ice or wind has pushed them along, chances are they are separated and not doing their job.

To prevent gutter issues, in late fall make sure gutters are cleared and free of falling leaves. There are options for metals and pvc gutters that may hold up better. You should try to find a functional gutter that matches your home’s aesthetic.

There are heating elements you can install in your gutters to melt the ice off as it forms. A less costly version involves installing screens on top to prevent the dams and blockages from forming.

House Exterior

Cold, freezing rain and hail can all damage the exterior of your home, leaving it prone to issues. Peeling paint and dings in siding are just some of the issues you could face. Give your house a good look over and not issues where the paint has been damaged. If left unfixed, you could be looking at moisture breaking through and causing wood rot or worse. Paint is your first line of defense so look for peeling, cracks and chips.

If you do have to paint, scuff sand down to a uniform finish and prime with a quality primer. Use at least two coats of paint with ample dry time between for the best possible outcome.

Siding

Siding is a good defense against a rough winter season. It is not impervious to damage from the winds and snow. If paint has peeled from the siding or the siding from the house, water can get it. If it’s allowed to sit under the siding, wood can rot and bigger issues develop.

To keep repair costs down, shop around for a good color match. This will allow your contractor to replace pieces of siding, not the entirety of the house. Wood siding or shingles usually will require paint or sealing of some sort to complete the job.

Driveway

Ice forming and expanding in tiny cracks will cause larger gaps to be present at the first melt of spring. Frost heaves, as professionals call them, cause large cracks and potholes to form in your driveway. Just riding into your driveway can become quite the off road adventure. Depending on your contractor’s know-how and the crack placement, you may be able to have cracks repaired and filled. Most of the time a new pour of driveway is involved.

Sealing your driveway over the summer months can prevent future frost heaves over the winter. The smaller cracks are easily repaired and filled keeping the water out.

Foundation

Probably the scariest damage from winter is a cracked foundation. What started as hairline cracks in the concrete turn into major structural issues and need immediate repair. This issue will continue to get worse, the longer it is left unresolved.

If you are looking at extensive foundation damage, make sure to ask for at least three estimates from reputable companies. Address issues like water pooling nearby can avoid future and further damage from flooding. Every spring your foundation should be looked at. Small cracks can be filled and prevent more extensive damage.

Trees

The trees in your yard undoubtedly took a beating over the winter. Heavy snow, high winds and compromising ice can cause limbs and whole trees to come down leaving your property in shambles. Trim trees back and plant new shrubbery in spring so it has a chance to take hold before next winter’s damaging winds come in.

Winter damage will only get worse if left uncorrected. By spending some time outdoors addressing issues, you’ll be saving yourself money and heartache in the long run.

Repairing the Damage

If you find any damage on your home, CertaPro Painters® of Washington DC can help. We not only paint the inside and outside of your home, but we can also take care of drywall damage and light carpentry repairs. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you repair your home after the winter.