Spring Maintenance Issues

Date Published: April 3, 2018

When it’s Springtime in the Rockies – we often find Winter’s remnants left behind! Here are some issues to look for during spring maintenance.

Colorado’s winter is nearly over, and as spring maintenance season begins, you can see first-hand how seasonal changes can affect a home. In the relatively short time between winter and spring, you might notice that some changes have taken place on a home that you are purchasing or selling. Winter can be one of the most challenging seasons for a home. By having an inspection before a home is sold or purchased, we can help identify winter’s effect on the home, and steer you and your clients toward the best course of action.

1. Moisture Can Penetrate Inadequate Exterior Paint

A poor exterior paint job can lead to cracking and chipping due to freezing and thawing cycles, with water damage, mold, or mildew being the potentially result. Windows and doors that have been closed-up tightly for the season can worsen the situation causing moisture-related issues. A good exterior paint job will help prevent moisture from penetrating the home. This doesn’t need to be done every year, but checking your exterior’s condition is a good spring maintenance item.

2. Weather Can Damage Siding.

Aluminum and vinyl siding can become loose or damaged in inclement weather. When the siding moves away from the rest of the home, water can penetrate the void and cause mold, mildew, and other moisture-related damage. A home’s siding can also be damaged by tree limbs, shrubbery, and other objects sliding against the exterior of the house. Be sure to clear these items away from the home to prevent damage.

3. Winter Weather Can Damage Windows

Moisture that penetrates wooden windows can cause the wood around a window’s exterior to swell. This damage makes it difficult, if not impossible, to open the windows. In some cases, wood around the window will also begin to rot allowing moisture to leak inside, especially if the caulking has been compromised. The potential damage this causes can be costly to fix.

4. Wind, Rain, and Snow Damage Roofing.

The roof can also be damaged by severe winter weather, especially when there are high winds. Shingles can lift in the wind, leading to other roofing damage. Icicles and ice dams are also a consequence of freezing water at the edge of the roof. Even when the ice melts, it poses a problem by allowing water to seep into the roofing structure and walls of a house.

5. Gutters Can Overflow or Freeze

When downspouts become clogged with leaves and other debris, water backs up in gutters. This causes the intense overflow when the rain starts, which can cause damage to the siding and even foundation of a home as water pools. If the water freezes in the gutter, the gutter may also begin to sag. As the gutter pulls down or away from the house, it may cause other damage to the home’s exterior as well. This type of damage is preventable with gutter cleaning and removal of ice dams. You can also replace the gutters and downspouts if they have reached the end of their useful life.

Get a jump start on your spring maintenance! Let us help you with your next Pre-Purchase or Pre-Listing Home Inspection and make sure Old Man Winter hasn’t left his tracks!

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About the Author: Chris Scott

Chris Scott is an ASHI certified home inspector with multiple years of experience in home inspections, blower door testing, duct leakage testing, and Boulder Rental License Inspections. Chris is also the Website Coordinator for Scott Home Inspection.

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