Getting the heebie-jeebies is fun on Halloween but less so with home structural damage that comes with poorly maintained or damaged exteriors. Halloween’s dark and scary night signals the coming of winter winds, ice and freezes. Use the holiday as a reminder to thoroughly inspect all of your home’s exteriors and prevent the frightful costs of major repairs.
Why exterior repairs
Roofing, gutters, siding and windows seal out air, water and insects to protect your safety, comfort, temperature (and utilities bill!). Exterior lifting, cracks, clogs, peels and disintegrations can quickly turn into structural rot, mold, flooding and infestations faster than you can say ‘boo’. Take the time to inspect and spend money on small maintenance to add years to your exteriors and keep your home’s curb appeal. If you can’t do them yourself, call a professional.
Top 5 home exteriors to inspect and maintain
Roofing
If you notice roofing shingles that curl up, claw down or rise in the middle, the need repairs. Cracks and raised nail heads should also be repaired. When getting a roof inspection, your roofing expert should check that the granules on the shingle surface remain as they protect the shingles from the sun and prevent disintegration. Also, your inspector will want to look for roofing areas with water pooling, intrusion and damage. Chimney, pipe, vent and wiring joints are particularly vulnerable. Flashing and caulk seals should be tight without cracks, peels or separations.
Gutters
Keep the surrounding area of your home protected by regularly clearing out any clogs from your gutters as debris can collect water which can affect your fascia boards and roof frames. Clogs also invite insects, spiders and wasps to nest. Check for gutter holes or shifts in drain pipes that steer water toward the home foundation rather than away.
Siding
Siding damage can be hidden as it typically happens from the inside out. Check for signs of warping, bowing, holes, splits and cracks. Scrape and repair any paint chips or peels. If you suspect storm damage, enlist the help of a siding expert to assess the damage and provide a recommendation for next steps or assistance in the insurance claim process.
Windows
Feel for noticeable drafts and look for condensation, storm damage, decaying frames and rot. Replace single-pane windows with insulated, double pane windows for better protection and lower utility bills. We work with a great group of window specialists and would be happy to assist with window inspections.
Decks
The close proximity of decks to siding, windows and foundations can quickly spread mildew, mold and infestations to other parts of home exteriors. High traffic and suspensions also increase the severity of injuries and accidents. Check out our Deck Inspections and Repair blog post for everything you need to know.
Remember that even the best-kept homes will require exterior replacements. Nothing lasts forever and the question is always when replacements will happen. Save your biggest scares for imaginary ghouls and goblins rather than unplanned replacements that drive up the costs of home ownership.