In many regions of the country, winter weather can be harsh on your home. With the frost, rain, snow, and wind the season’s storms bring, it is no wonder that “weather” is a verb! Now that spring is on its way, here are some steps you can take to help all the parts of your house look their best.
Walkways, Driveways, and Landscaping
The ground, trees, and plants around your house will have taken a beating from the winter months. Take a look around your property, at your lawn, trees and garden plants. Trees may have dropped limbs, so remove that debris. If you locate a tree branch with the potential to fall, consult a tree surgeon to see if they can be safely removed. Inspect your grass for any dead spots caused by frost. Snow and frost can cause the cracking of walkways, driveways, and other exterior structures such as porches, and aggressive shoveling can aggravate this. Inspect walkways for cracks, especially if they are made of concrete slabs. Exterior concrete slabs should drain away from the foundation of the house. Cracks can pose mobility issues for the elderly and those with mobility issues, and therefore when weather allows they should be sealed with silicone caulk or leveled. If need be, portions of these walkways should be replaced.
Gutters
Strong winter winds can easily blow a great deal of debris into gutters, leading them to clog up as the season ends. Check and clean them to ensure they are securely attached to your home and in good working order both at the end of fall in preparation for winter and at the end of the season in anticipation of spring. Be wary of water accumulation on your roof and re-attach loose or hanging gutters.
Energy Appliances
Your energy appliances, in particular, heating units and vents, can be very attractive to animals looking for shelter to get them through the winter. Check the vents of the units for any house guests you may have gained for the season and contact animal control if need be — some animals can cause damage, and with many, you run the risk of further infestation.
Even if you have not acquired winter guests, clean out or have a contractor inspect, clean, and service your AC unit. The filter must be changed, the hose connections should be checked for leaks, and the drain pans need to be working properly. Clean coils are more efficient, so peak performance is ensured through an annual service call. Also, make sure to change the filters and vacuum any dust that has built up.
Roof (and Chimney)
As with your gutters, inspect the roof now that winter is passing to get a sense of the damage the season may have inflicted. Some winter damages to roofs are severe enough to be visible from the ground, but the level of wear on most roofs requires a direct climbing inspection. You can conduct one yourself or hire a professional to do so and then give you an estimate for any necessary repair work. Such damage may include single shift, caused by fasteners which have failed, or missing, cracked, or otherwise broken shingles, including nail pops, which prop the single tabs up and allow water to come in contact with the sealant and wood backing of the roof, and cause damage leading to leaks. Going into your house’s attic, if it has one, and checking near the roof trusses is another means of assessing the effect winter storms may have had on your roof. Water damage to your roof should not be left unaddressed, as it can cause physical damage or mold growth to the inside of your house. Flash damage near plumbing vents, chimneys, and skylights should also be inspected by a roofer and repaired if need be.
If you have a chimney, you should inspect it yourself, but also have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
House Exterior
Inspect the wood trim around your windows and doors, and railings and decks if you have them. If you have one, look at your chimney. Is any vegetation growing out of it? That’s a sign of water infiltration. The presence of a deposit of mineral-like buildup signals that the joints are absorbing water instead of repelling it. This means you probably need to reseal the chimney, coating it in a substance that is clear, water resistant. Make repairs if there was winter damage before spring rains cause more. If you have outside hose faucets, check them for freeze damage. Turn on the faucet and place your thumb over the opening. If that can stop the flow of water, the house pipe is likely damaged and needs to be replaced. Also, check your garden hose for dry rot. Check your doormats, and change them, especially if they are damaged.
Whatever material they are made of; your house’s walls may not have emerged from the winter completely unscathed. Yes, even stucco walls may have water damage. Check eaves and downspouts, which are typical problem areas. Wood siding should be inspected for openings, damage, or popped knots that provide entrances for various creatures to nestle in. The siding of any material should be cleaned.
Look at your foundation to make sure there are no cracks. Regular caulking may not be sufficient; you may need to hire a specialist to use epoxy injections to chemically bond any foundation cracks.
Windows
Check your windows for leaks acquired over the winter, and to make sure any caulking or weather stripping remains intact. Condensation between the panes indicates a compromised seal, meaning the glass must be replaced. Use a window cleaning solution, and apply it with a cloth or a sponge.
Ready for Spring
With these steps, you will help your house recover from the general weathering of winter and repair any more serious damage caused by the season. Now your home will be ready to meet the spring.
