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In a couple months, homeowners will begin to venture outside and assess the damage left behind by another cold and wet winter. Unfortunately, there is little you can do to prevent winter weather damage. You can, however, jump on the opportunity to make repairs as soon as possible to prevent issues from worsening over time. Water damage from leaking pipes and mold growth from cracks in your siding can become very expensive headaches down the line. As you get your property in shape, here are some areas of your home to check for damage.
In a couple months, homeowners will begin to venture outside and assess the damage left behind by another cold and wet winter. Unfortunately, there is little you can do to prevent winter weather damage. You can, however, jump on the opportunity to make repairs as soon as possible to prevent issues from worsening over time. Water damage from leaking pipes and mold growth from cracks in your siding can become very expensive headaches down the line. As you get your property in shape, here are some areas of your home to check for damage.
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While outdoor air conditioner units are built to withstand the elements, freezing temperatures, hail, flooding, and severe winds can cause damage to the exterior and internal components. As a result, you may experience problems when you start it up in the summer. It’s a good idea to have your AC unit inspected and serviced in spring so it will be ready to go when the hot weather hits!
If you end up requiring a replacement unit, you may need to dip into your emergency fund as installing a new unit can be pricey. Keep in mind that the size of your home and the brand of your unit can raise or lower your costs. You can prevent the need for a costly replacement by having your unit properly cleaned, inspected, and maintained every spring.
Winter storms can wreak havoc on your roof, gutters, and chimney. Storm debris can block your gutters, resulting in water backing up and pouring over the edge of your roof. This can cause damage to walls, windows, decks, foundations, and the landscaping surrounding your home. Pooling water may even find its way into your home! Also, a roof in disrepair can significantly devalue your home if you’re planning on selling any time soon.
During storms, strong winds can tear shingles off your roof and drive water underneath, causing leaks, rot, and deterioration. It’s important to inspect your roof for damage after periods of severe weather. To keep your repair costs down, Hunker recommends minimizing damage to your home by attaching a tarp over the damaged area until it can be repaired by a professional.
If you suspect there’s an issue with your chimney, don’t wait till next year to get it resolved. Have a chimney professional visit your home and inspect your chimney for structural issues and any unusual blockages. You can find reliable professionals by searching for “chimney cleaners near me” and finding well-reviewed contractors. An inspection will typically cost between $100 and $250.
Winter weather can also take a toll on your siding, resulting in gaps, cracks, and peeling paint. You may even notice holes in your siding where small creatures have burrowed to get out of the cold. Any openings in your siding will allow moisture into your home where it can cause rot and mold, which only means more costly repairs! If your siding just needs a fresh coat of paint, you may want to save some money by tackling this project yourself. To avoid having to repaint your home again in the near future, don’t cut corners. Make sure your siding is properly scraped, sanded, primed, and painted the first time.
Your home’s foundation may become damaged when freezing water finds its way into cracks and expands, pushing the concrete apart. When these cracks go unnoticed for too long, they can allow water to seep into your basement, damaging your flooring and any furniture you have down there. Make sure you inspect your foundation after winter so you can repair cracks before heavy spring rains begin. Look for hairline fractures, crumbling walls, water damage, improperly fitting windows and doors, and buckling in the foundation floor. Have these issues repaired immediately to prevent further damage—the sooner you act on problems like these, the less it will cost to make repairs.
Get a head start on your spring maintenance this year by tackling home repairs as soon as the weather starts warming up. You’ll save yourself money and stress by dealing with these projects now instead of competing with other homeowners for local repair professionals and standing in line at hardware stores.
By Emily Graham of 
mightymoms.net
Comments
Great Article!
However, still 3 months left of winter for us.