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Winter Damage-Prone Spots to Repair This Spring

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 29 March 2017 06:19

The birds are headed back, temperatures are beginning to rise and trees are starting to bud. Spring is the beginning of BBQs on the deck, muddy shoes filling your entryway and finally being able to get fresh air back into the home. It’s a time for enjoyment, but it’s also the time to survey the gifts winter left behind.

 

Unfortunately, winter gives in mysterious ways. While the earth renews itself in spring, your home needs your help for its rebirth. We’ve rounded up some common places that need to be repaired to ensure the warmer months are spent in a blissful home:

home in spring

The Roof

Your roof takes the brunt of the winter beating. From ice dams to leaks and storm damage, your roof is your first line of defense against the elements. It’s also the part of your home that can use the most TLC once spring is on its way.

 

Ice dams can be dealt with in a few ways. More daring homeowners can saddle up a ladder and get down and dirty with a pick axe. For the novice DIYer, there are ice removing tablets to melt the ice, but it’s a bit of a slower process. You can always call a professional if you are not up for risking a fallen ice spike to your head. To prevent future ice dam build-up, consider adding heated gutters to your home.

 

Winter storms with high winds can lead to torn-off shingles or other damage the roof. Leaks and holes are best left to professionals. They are, unfortunately, costly. For this reason, it’s important to replace your roof when it shows signs of aging. Should you find yourself in the unlucky position of needing a roof repair, cover the affected area with tarp until the roofers can get to it so the problem doesn’t worsen.

Garage Doors

As your garage door ages, it can cause your energy bills to rise and make your home less secure. Look at the weather sealant that frames your garage door. The rubber will wear down over time and is usually a quick and economical DIY repair.

 

Winter weather can mean it’s worn down quicker, so spring is a good time to check up on your garage door. This way, your garage will be ready when the weather becomes cold again and snow appears in the forecast, which is the most ideal time for a garage’s benefits.

 

Perimeters

During late winter and early spring, the ground is still thawing, which sets up the perfect conditions for flooding as the ground cannot yet absorb all the melting snow. If you recently suffered through a winter storm like Stella, which dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, imagine the amount of water that is created on the first warm day.

One lesson you do not want to learn the hard way is that homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding. If you live in a high-risk area, prepare yourself for any damage that may occur by purchasing flood insurance.

 

To prevent flooding from occurring in the first place, remove the snow from the perimeter of your house. While it may seem like a lot of unnecessary work, digging through piles of old soggy photographs to find your beloved wedding photos is a much more arduous task.

 

Several inches of snow can melt in 24 hours and even more if a rainstorm accompanies the warm weather. Sump pumps are another economical and less time-consuming solution some homeowners use. They pump out excess water from basements prone to flooding.

Wood Decks

To enjoy a relaxing morning cup of coffee this spring and summer on your wood deck, make sure it’s safe first. Your wood has been abused by snow and water all winter and is prone to warping, rotting, raised nails and mold or mildew. The variation in temperatures, along with exposure to water, can cause warping that leads to rotting and mold or mildew.

 

Make sure to reseal your deck if it shows any signs of damage. You may need to replace individual boards on your deck if the damage is severe. Nothing ruins a romantic summer sunset like a splinter in your foot as you head inside to grab another glass of wine. Get out the hammer and nail down any nails that may have risen during the winter. Raised nails are another common sign of damage that take only minutes to repair.


These areas of the house are all significantly prone to winter’s cold grasp, though with preventive maintenance and timely repairs, they can endure it and the following seasons very proficiently.

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Megan Wild

Hey there! I'm Megan, I'm a home improvement writer, blogger, and real estate investor and observer. Check out my posts for housing trends and latest happenings in U.S. and Pennsylvania!

www.yourwildhome.com

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