As Spring approaches, start planning to inspect your home to find areas that may have been damaged by the harsh winter weather. Although you should give your home a thorough examination both inside and outdoors, there are four critical areas that are more prone to weather damage. Unless repairs are made early, the cost of materials and labor could increase the longer the problem continues.
Foundation
Walk around your home’s exterior and check out the base of the structure. If you notice cracks, crumbling, or accumulated moisture, you may want to contact a professional expert for a foundation repair estimate. Brick or block foundations usually last many years on average, but bad weather and factors like soil erosion or excessive water runoff can sometimes cause premature wear and damage. A foundation that is deteriorating can let pests into your home. The structure will likely continue to break down, which may jeopardize your home’s structural integrity.
Windows
Take a look at your house windows for signs of cracks or loosening around the frames. Windows that rattle when the wind blows are a sign that they are probably not fully effective in keeping out cold air. Fogged windows at various times when the weather is nice means that condensation is accumulating in the panes of glass. See if the weather strips around your windows are still solid and intact; if not, they should be replaced.
Pavement
Paved surfaces on your property may develop problems over time or in extreme weather. Check your sidewalks, not the public sidewalks, as well as your driveway and patio to see how they are holding up. Brick or concrete walkways can chip or shift to cause trip-and-fall hazards. Chunks can break off and leave an unsightly appearance. Textured designs may begin to erode, leaving an imprint that is hard to discern. Concrete slabs sometimes pull away from each other or shift sharply due to nearby tree roots. Sometimes, you can have the concrete leveled, which is cheaper than replacing the paved area.
Roof
Don’t forget to find out how your roof has fared after a long, bitter winter. It may have lost shingles, or the chimney might be missing a few bricks. The gutters and downspouts could be full of leaves and debris, causing rainwater to back up and overflow on your home’s structure, which can lead to the need for repairs.
When you catch problems like these early, they are more manageable financially. Take a close look at your home this Spring to see how it’s holding up.
