The harsh months of winter can wear on more than just your emotions. Many homeowners deal with negative effects of snow, wind, and rain on the landscaping of the home, but some fail to realize exactly how damaging a bitter winter can be to the structures of a building, particularly to Twin Cities siding.
Each winter seems to get harsher, and the need for a home inspection rises as spring is ushered in each year. Homeowners are encouraged to check roofs, gutters, basements, siding, patios, gardens, and snow blowers at the end of every winter in order to avoid serious problems heading into summer, and eventually through the next winter. According to an article on the Sioux City Journal:
Snow that piled up next to the house can melt and leak into the foundation. And melting snow may have washed away some of the soil and mulch around the foundation.
Martin recommends walking around the house to make sure that the foundation and siding haven’t been damaged by melting snow. Check the basement windows, too.
If the melting snow damaged any wood siding or trim, “that’s an avenue for more damage and rot and potentially insects,” Baker said. “Wood and water don’t mix well.”
But if you repair that wood, don’t paint until it’s at least 50 degrees, he said; paint won’t adhere to the surfaces properly when it’s too cold.
Problems with your siding in Twin Cities after a long winter may not be obvious with just a casual inspection, and homeowners are encouraged to contact a professional for a full home inspection. Melting water can leak into foundations and walls and cause serious damage that will decrease a home’s value.
If you’re ready to move on to spring and put winter behind you, make sure your home is ready to do the same. Call Twin Cities Siding for a full inspection, and we’ll repair any problems that may lead to expensive, inconvenient repairs in the future. Protect your home and your pocketbook with a professional inspection each spring.
(Article and Image from Sioux City Journal, “Check out a hard winter’s lingering insults”; April 5, 2014)
