Finally, Winter has to come to an end! The Winter of 2021 will be remembered as one of the snowiest in recent memory and for some local areas the snowiest ever as records were shattered. It seemed like the snow would never melt but we have finally made it! Winter may have left us for the time being, but it has also left most people’s homes in desperate need of some repairs. Below is a checklist of what to look out for that might need repair after a harsh winter season:
Damaged Roofing- When checking for damaged roofing remember to always exercise safety and caution first. We recommend that you DO NOT look for troubled spots on the roof from the exterior leave that to a professional. What you can do is go into the attic and check for signs of moisture by using a flashlight. Additionally, you could also look for pinpoints of daylight showing through. If there are signs of moisture and daylight showing through your roof then you need the help of a professional.Clean out your Gutters, Crawlspace, and Basement- Water damage is often occurred as a result of damaged gutters, so it is important to take care of gutters and clean them out once the spring comes around and offers us with dry conditions. On a similar note, it is also important to eliminate water in the basement and/or crawlspace. Keeping both areas dry not only protects against dry rot but it also helps prevent the growth of mold. If there is excess moisture in either of these areas you may also need the help of a professional.
Home exterior- The cold and snow experienced in the winter months can take a toll on the exterior of your home. While some may think that peeling paint might just hurt the aesthetics of a home it can also make a home susceptible to moisture infiltrating, if left unattended to long enough. This can result in wood rot and costly future repairs.
Home foundation- The freeze/ thaw cycle is often considered to be the cause of potholes on our streets and highways, but the same cycle can also accelerate the natural occurrence of these cracks in the concrete of a foundation. This can cause major structural damage if not taken care of in a timely manner; it is important to evaluate the status of your foundation every spring so that one can catch any possible structural damage and avoid costly repairs. If needed call a professional to give your home a more thorough examination and a precise recommendation.
A couple of other tips include changing your Air Conditioner filters as well as blocking air leaks around windows amongst other things. It is important before you celebrate the end of winter that you take a day to walk around and check out the status of your home, in the end it will save not only your home but also the high cost that comes with repairs if a problem is has not been dealt with in a timely manner.
