From roofs to siding, your home’s exterior takes a lot of abuse throughout the year. It’s only fair that in spring, after the madness of winter, you should take a breather and assess the condition of your property. Going into spring and summer with issues plaguing you from the cold winter season will only foster continued neglect and degraded exteriors.
While it’s best to hire a home exterior contractor to handle a formal inspection, there are some things you can do on your own to ensure your property made it throughout winter unscathed. The issues found will form a plan of attack moving forward as to which repairs and upgrades should take center stage.
Gutters
Your gutters are responsible for directing water away from your home’s foundation. However, over the fall and winter, they become clogged with debris like twigs, leaves, nests, and dirt, which in turn prevents water from flowing properly. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your walls, foundation, and roof, which can lead to even bigger and more costly problems. To avoid this, clean your gutters out in the spring, using a ladder and scooping out debris with a trowel. Alternatively, you can use a garden hose to flush out remaining debris. At the same time, make sure your downspouts are pointing in the proper direction for good flow.
Roof
Winter storms take a big toll on your roof. With the arrival of spring, conduct a quick visual inspection of your roof from the ground, using binoculars or smart phone camera. Be on the lookout for missing or damaged shingles, damaged metal pipes or flashing, or anything else that looks out of place. Call your trusted roofer to further inspect any issues of concern and make the repair safely. Let a professional handle any on-rood inspections.
Doors and Windows
Winter can be tough on windows and doors. But if you don’t address issues now, your comfort and safety in summer can be impacted. Well-kept doors and windows are vital to your home’s security, air conditioning, and aesthetics. In your inspection, look for loose nuts and bolts, rotten wood, chipped paint, loose weatherstripping, squeaking hinges, and clogged door tracks. Check the screens, too, and repair any holes – even tiny ones – before spring is here in full swing.
Basement
Head down to the basement to check for signs of water damage, such as mold, dampness, standing water and mildew. See if you can spot any cracks in the foundation, which could be allowing water to seep in. Make sure basement windows and vents are sealed correctly, and that you have enough ventilation in that space.
Siding
Your siding certainly takes a beating from Mother Nature, so don’t neglect checks of your exteriors. Look for:
- Cracked or broken siding: Minnesota winters can be frigidly cold, and some types of vinyl siding can become brittle and snap in these conditions.
- Missing siding: High winds can snag siding off your home, so check for any areas or panels that are missing.
- Moldy siding: Wood siding, especially wood exposed to moisture, is prone to mold and rot.
- Faded siding: The sun, even in winter, can cause siding to fade.
Contact Allstar Construction for Exterior Home Improvements
Don’t have the time or resources to conduct a thorough spring exterior home inspection? Let us do it instead! Get a free online quote today from us or call 763-297-5100 and see just how easy it is.
