Harsh winters can wreak havoc on the exterior of your house. The roof is subject to heavy loads of snow. The ice can crack the protective coating of your exterior. Large amounts of snowfall can break your gutters. As winter begins to stretch into spring, it is important to maintain each of these exterior components of your house.
Have the roof professionally inspected
Your roof likely gets the most wear and tear during the winter months. Large snowfalls can sit on the roof for many weeks at a time. If the roof is not properly insulated, the melting snow can cause corrosion and rust to occur. As soon as the winter snowfall is finished for the season, schedule your professional roof inspection. They will look for any significant signs of wear and tear and might recommend specific roof repairs.
Roof repairs can correct minor problems and prevent you from having to get an entirely new roof installed. It can also be useful to have your roofing professional use a flat roof coating during the roof repairs. This can prevent further rusting and can protect your roof from severe weather elements, thus extending the time until you need a new one. A standard 2200 to 2600 square foot roof will cost DIY homeowners between $1000 and $4000 to fully replace and professionals will charge between $2000 and $8500.
Check the attic for damage and insulation
Heavy snowfall can actually help you evaluate your home?s insulation. If the snow is quickly melting, it often means that the attic or upper floor does not have enough insulation. You can also gauge this by checking the attic ventilation system. This will also come in handy for effectively cooling your house during the hot summer. Inspecting and improving attic ventilation and insulation can also be improved with roof repairs. A typical family spends about a third of its annual heating and cooling budget, roughly $350, on air that leaks into or out of the house through unintended gaps and cracks.
Inspect your windows
Heavy winds and snowfall can also give a beating to your windows. Check for any cracks or dents that need to be replaced before the summer season. Your windows will play an important role in maintaining a comfortable temperature during the hot summer season. This is also a good time to consider installing custom windows. Custom windows fit perfectly within the window space of your home and give you the highest amount of window efficiency. However, poorly installed windows can cause a lot of your utilities to escape through the gaps, so it is best to have a professional install the windows.
Make minor repairs to the gutters
Your gutters are even more important in the spring and summer months than they are in the winter time. When the snow turns to rain, it will cause a lot of the leftover debris on the roof to drain off. The gutters will ensure that this excess liquid and debris drain properly. As soon as winter thaws out, make sure you inspect and make minor repairs to all of your house’s gutters. If you need new gutters, schedule a professional gutter installation service.
Maintenance is important to keep your house in good condition. It is especially important after a long and brutal winter season. On average, homeowners will spend between 1 and 4% of a home?s value on maintenance and repairs, which tend to increase as the house ages. For a $200,000 home, that is at least $2,000 in repairs annually. Keep this in mind as spring rolls around. These necessary home improvements will ensure that your house is repaired from the winter season.