Inspecting your home for winter-related damage might not be the most thrilling thing you do this year, but setting aside a few hours could save you thousands in restoration costs down the road. At Kiser Construction, we cannot stress the importance of routine home inspections enough. After all, we’re disaster restoration experts, and we’ve seen what a negative impact unintentional neglect can have. To maintain your property in top condition and avoid water damage restoration, make sure you inspect the following areas when the snow subsides:
Examine Your Foundation
Frost heave occurs when the ground around your home’s foundation freezes and then proceeds to thaw. This freeze-thaw cycle can cause the soil to change position beneath the concrete, which promotes slight foundation shifting.
When your home’s foundation shifts, the concrete begins to crack, which presents a dangerous situation for the lower levels of your home during periods of heavy precipitation. As water begins to seep through cracks in your foundation, it can cause extensive damage, especially if you aren’t aware that the problem exists.
As the snow melts, take a walk around your house and carefully examine the foundation for cracks. If you locate any, contact a damage restoration company as soon as possible. The quicker you have those cracks sealed, the lower your chances of incurring water damage.
Scan Your Siding
You might be surprised to learn that snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can do quite a bit of damage to your home’s siding, but you learn something new every day, right? Depending on the type of siding you have, winter weather can:
● Cause punctures in the material from hail or ice.
● Trigger expansion and contraction of the material, which can lead to cracking and paint deterioration.
● Cause portions of the siding to detach under force from heavy winds.
● Saturate the siding in water, which can cause warping, sagging, mold, and rot.
Unfortunately, minor damage leaves your siding susceptible to moisture proliferation, which can cause serious damage to your home’s structure. To avoid extensive water damage restoration, make sure you perform a thorough springtime siding inspection, or if you don’t have the time, contact a siding contractor to do it for you. When you catch damage early, you can usually get away with a few simple repairs, but if you leave it unchecked, be prepared to fork over some serious cash.
Check Your Gutters
Winter ice dam formation can do a number on your gutters, so if you had substantial snow accumulation on your roof this winter, be sure to inspect your gutters and downspouts come spring. Simply grab a ladder and scan each gutter for signs of cracking or deterioration. Small cracks can be difficult to see, and in many cases, they won’t reveal themselves unless there’s water in the gutter.
Even if you don’t locate any damage on a dry day, make sure you examine each gutter after a rain shower, too. If you notice any water leaks, contact a gutter contractor to inspect the structure. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need new gutter and downspout installation to provide adequate protection against water damage.
Need Storm Damage Restoration? Contact Kiser Construction Today
Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of storm damage or you’re looking to replace aging components of your home’s exterior, our team at Kiser Construction is here to help. We specialize in both storm damage restoration and home remodeling, so when you need reliable contractors you can trust, we’re the team to call. All of our contractors are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and because we’re committed to quality, we also hold industry-standard certification in every service we provide.
To learn more about how we can restore your home or to schedule your appointment, give our team a call at 763-633-2010 or reach out to us on our contact page.
If you’ve recently suffered disaster-related property damage and need immediate assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us on our 24/7 emergency line at 612-518-8852.