If you live in a climate affected by seasonal change, you're probably ready for Spring. It's important to consider what, if any, damage may have been done to your home during the Winter months.Now would be a great time for a do-it-yourself home inspection. Leave the Spring Cleaning for next weekend.
Check Your Roof
Start at the top of your home and work your way down. The roof has protected you from wind, rain, snow, and ice from December through April -- do a visual inspection. You can visually inspect the shingles and gutters from the ground. Look for damaged, missing, and mis-aligned tiles or shingles. Check close to the roof edge, in the valleys, around the chimney, and near the vents. Avoid climbing on your roof, if you don't have to. It can be very dangerous. If you suspect a problem - consult a professional roofer. Check the gutter systems to make sure water is still flowing freely by spraying hose water onto your roof and watching it come down through the downspouts. The water should not be spilling over the gutter and the water should move away from the foundation at the bottom.
Check Your Siding
Wood, brick, and metal siding can be affected by temperature changes. It can shrink, expand, mortar can crack, and parts can come loose. Paint can also become separated from the siding and chip off. Make sure all paint chips are cleaned up to avoid children or pets from eating any pieces that may contain lead. Look for any damage caused by weather or falling debris, such as ice or tree branches. If your siding is not properly maintained it can let in pests, moisture, and warm/cold air that will affect your energy bills. Talk to a siding contractor if any problems have come up.
Check Your Windows
Your windows have likely been been closed and sealed for several months. Open up your windows, if you can, and make sure they're in proper working order. Wood and other types of windows have also expanded and contracted from the wild temperature changes of Winter months. Hold a candle up to the window - if there's a flicker, it could mean there's a draft. If the window rattles at all during moderate wind, it could mean the window needs to be replaced. Check for caulk seal breakage or any missing weatherstripping - you'll be letting warm air in and cool air out in the summer time. If the window needs to be propped up to stay open, it might also mean it's time to replace it. Check with a Window Expert to make sure.
Check Your Foundation
Snow and rain runoff have been dropping all around your house. You need to inspect your foundation to make sure that there is a sufficient grade to move water away from the home (and the foundation.) After you've run water over your roof and down your downspouts, check for water that may be pooling by the foundation walls. With April Showers approaching, you want to make sure the gutters and downspouts deposit water at least two to three feet away from the house. Check visible foundation areas for loose tiles, bricks, stones or blocks. Check for moist walls, cracks, or bulges that push in toward the house.
Inside your house, go to your basement walls and look for cracking, bulging, or any leaning of the foundation walls. Frost and water may be pushing in on the concrete and causing problems. Look for signs of a moist wall or any water accumulation. If you see any kind of problem, speak with a Foundation Contractor as soon as possible to make sure there won't be any larger problems. Here's a great online Foundation Diagnosis Tool! Check it out.
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Finding out what problems your house may have, before the Spring rains come, could prevent major home repair payments down the round.
