If you’ve been a homeowner for any length of time, you’ve probably already discovered at least one repair issue you weren’t expecting. It might have even surprised or shocked you, especially because the issue can grow without you realizing. No matter how much of a good planner you are, it’s easy for maintenance issues to catch you off guard.
For example, weather can be involved in most home damage, but it’s not always the dramatic storms that cause the biggest headaches. It could just be years of rain, snow, and temperature changes wearing down the same vulnerable spots over and over. Foundation settling, normal wear and tear, and just the basic fact that houses are constantly expanding and contracting with temperature changes all contribute to these problem areas too. We all learn in the easiest or hard way.
Thankfully, a good amount of possible damage is pretty predictable, which means you can keep an eye on the usual suspects and catch problems before they get out of hand. You can even put in prevention strategies to save you some money in the long term. Let’s discuss how to do that:
Roofing & Gutters
Your roof is pretty much taking a beating from every direction all year long. Even good weather can impact it. It’s best to just assume that sun, rain, wind, snow, ice, and temperature swings are constantly working on your shingles, and eventually something’s going to give. Missing or damaged shingles are probably the most obvious problem, but loose flashing around chimneys and vents can be just as much of an issue.
You’ve likely seen your gutters get clogged with leaves and debris, which means water starts backing up and going places it shouldn’t, with suck blockages easily damaging your roof, siding, and foundation all at once. You might notice water stains on your ceiling or ice dams. Having an emergency roof repair service on hand can help in these moments.
Foundation & Basement Issues
Foundation problems will usually develop slowly and almost perniciously, which means they’re easy to ignore until they become impossible to miss. It’s important to fix the walls and check for cracks, but foundational shift can sometimes mean doors that suddenly don’t close properly, or windows that stick where they used to open smoothly.
Water is usually the culprit behind most foundation issues like this, because it pushes the land and gives it added pressure and weight. As such, poor drainage around your house means water sits against the foundation walls longer than it should, and on top of those prior issues, constant moisture can cause cracks, leaks, and other structural problems. Having your foundations fortified can be a huge prevention tactic to help you.
Windows & Doors Show Their Age First
Windows and doors are constantly opening, closing, expanding, and contracting, so it makes sense that they’d be among the first things to show wear. The seals around windows break down even if you’re a relatively attentive homeowner, which lets air and moisture get where they shouldn’t. If you’ve noticed drafts, condensation between double pane windows, or frames that are starting to rot or warp, it’s important to check your insulation but to have the seals or panes replaced. Make sure to check if you’re covered by warranty still, you could save yourself some cash.
With this advice, we believe you’ll be better able to manage the areas of damage around your home.
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