Most of the major defects in your home are the consequence from the failure of one or more of the components to your property. More frequently than not, this will be on the exterior of your house, which you may not regularly look at to recognize problems as they occur.
It is all too easy to disregard about the outside of your home once you’ve stepped inside the front door. If you give no heed to the structure of the house, money and time spent revamping the interior will be wasted. There is no such thing as a maintenance free house. The roof covering, walls and under floor area are your home’s first line of defense from high winds and rain and other elements.
Spring or summer is the ideal season to tackle structural work. Especially on summer where paints and sealing treatments will have the chance to dry. During these times evaluate weather damage and complete any needed repairs before cooler weather kicks off.
To help prevent serious problems inspect your home regularly. You can do it yourself or pay someone else to do the work.
Use the items below as a guide:
Roof
Climb a sturdy ladder and visually inspect your roof for cracks and openings. Look for missing or broken shingles. Roofing material, like anything else, is subject to wear and tear. Check flashings on the roof. Poor or faulty flashing will allow snow meltage to go through the interior, causing not only infrastructure rot, but possible damage to interior walls. If it appears there is damage, fix these problems right away, or call a professional and have them fix the damage. If you are not competent of climbing to high spaces, call a trusted roofing contractor to do the inspection for you.
Gutter
Examine your gutters and clear out any leaves and dirt. Blocked gutters can do water damage inside the house, and the added weight of debris and ice can tear them loose. Again you can hire someone to help or do the job for you.
Chimney
Make sure your chimney is not cracked or leaning and that the pointing between the bricks is not damaged. Providing a cap on your chimney will prevent any debris from falling in.
Paint
Walk around your home’s exterior and look for any paint or caulk that has cracked or flaked. Cracked or peeling paint is the first sign that the paint is failing. Any damages in the exterior finish of the house are an opportunity for moisture to enter, eventually leading to mildew and rot. Check areas of intense sun or shade. Paint finish can be easily faded due to harsh sun exposure white sections that are in deep shade are prone to mold and mildew.
Windows and Doors
Check the caulking around your doors and windows. Look for cracks and gaps. If you find any, reseal and apply caulking. This will ensure that harsh winter weather won’t penetrate your home.
Taking the time to do a thorough inspection on a regular basis of your home and the carrying out of routine repairs at an early stage will prolong the life of your property and enable you to live more comfortably in your home and will save you a lot of money in the long run by reducing the cost of repairs and avoiding extensive repairs that could have been easily resolved by early detection.