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Exterior Winter Weather Damage Signs

Posted on April 27, 2020

Winter takes a toll on skin, cars, and homes. Since our hibernation through the cold is coming to an end, let’s head outside! Now that winter is over, inspect your house, looking for any issues that may have cropped up over the last few months. Some damage will be obvious, but some may not. Here is how to spot exterior winter weather damage signs according to the painting experts at CertaPro Painters of Woburn.

Exterior

The outside of your home takes the brunt of damage over the winter. There are several key areas to inspect for damage. Once the winter breaks, these are the typical problem areas.

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Shingles

Roofs are common places for damage over the winter in Woburn. If you are comfortable on a ladder and the roof, climb up and give it a once over. Look for shingles with cracks, blisters, buckling or curling. These are all signs water could have been underneath and caused a leak. When you see the halos in your ceiling appear or the tiles showing signs of water, it’s time to call in some pros.

Gutters

Gutters are made to allow water to drain away from your walls and foundation. Over the winter, they are commonly damaged in Woburn. Ice and heavy rains can cause the gutters to overflow with weight and pull away from the walls. Build up of leaves and sticks can cause backups in the water and drainage along walls. If the water sits along foundations and damages paint or foundations, you’ll need to invest in repairs.

Landscaping

While your bushes and plants might not be quite ready to bloom yet, take some time to inspect them. You’ll want to make sure the plants are not touching the walls. Branches against walls give pests a perfect bridge to get into your home. Trim back all bushes, branches, and plants to allow a person to fit between the wall and the plants.

Windows and Doors

Door and window trim can pull away from your house’s structure. Caulking in the gaps can get brittle after a cold Woburn winter and fall off. This is a fairly simple fix. Get some paintable caulk and repair the missing areas. After it’s had time to dry completely, get a touch-up paint to make the repair flawless.

Interior

While you’ve looked at your shingles, you could be dealing with water problems inside your walls. Look for any places inside your home where the walls show dampness, stains, peeling, or cracking. In addition to the weather getting in, the cold could have damaged your water pipes and caused leaks. For drywall issues, look for sagging, cracks in plaster, or peeling wall paint. These are all sure indicators that something is lurking below.

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.