Is Your Home Protected From The Elements?
Protecting your home from the elements may be something new homeowners may overlook however it should be a top priority to protect your largest investment. Your home endures all mother nature has to offer including heat, cold, wind, and water that can cause serious often expensive damages. In Michigan we must protect against summer heat that can rise above 100°f and frigid winter temperatures that can reach as low as -10°f as well as the spring showers and fall winds. These conditions make protecting your home a bit of a project each season. This article will give you an easy overview of our recommendations to keep your home safe, sound, and protected from these harsh conditions.
Spring
Each spring we are all eager to get outside and enjoy some sunshine after a long, cold winter spent indoors. This is a good time to get out there and inspect your home for any damage caused by the preceding winter weather. When inspecting your home, the most important issues to look for are the following:
| Soft or rotting wood | Plants or trees on home | Broken vents or covers |
| Window gaps or damage | Cracked trim | Dirt on A/C units |
| Concrete cracks | Dying trees | Animal holes or homes |
| Dirty/damaged screens | Clogged gutters | Foundation cracks |
Once you have inspected for these issues, you can create your to-do list. Some of these projects will require a professional so do not be afraid to call for an estimate. Finding these issues early will save you time and money in the long run before they turn into huge projects or cause further damage in the future.
Summer
Summertime in Michigan feels like a long-awaited vacation we look forward to each year. This is the best time to complete any remaining projects on your spring inspection to-do list. It is also the best time to get your home and deck, or patio power washed as the weather is great. Power washing your home each year will remove all dirt and debris that can lead to mildew or mold and cause damage to your exterior. It is also a great time to have your home caulked and painted and any rotten wood replaced to protect the interior of your home. If you have a wood deck you will also want to paint or stain it in the summer to protect it for the next 18-24 months.
Fall
Fall may be the busiest time for home protection as we are coming close to the harsh winter weather and will need to be prepared. You will need to be sure to cut back any trees or shrubs away from your home in the fall as well as remove any leaves before the weather changes. Plants or leaves that are left touching your home throughout the winter can cause serious damage to your exterior. This damage can include mold, rotting wood, foundation cracks or leaking, animal or insect invasion and more which is why it is one of the most important fall projects to complete. Cleaning your exterior vents, covers and dampeners is also important in the fall to ensure there are no issues throughout the winter. Lastly you will want to clean your gutters or install gutter guards once the leaves have fallen to reduce ice damage. Fall is also your final chance to complete any of your items on your to-do list before the winter as these projects will not be able to be completed in the snow or cold winter weather.
Winter
Wintertime is when you can inspect your interior, your roof, and gutters. Inspecting your roof in the winter is the easiest because you can see where heat is escaping if there are patches that are missing snow. Roof replacement or repair can be a project that can wait to be completed in the spring unless there are visible shingles missing or water leaks requiring immediate attention. For your gutters it is easy to inspect them because the ice will gather either in the gutters causing them to droop or it will leak causing icicles to form on your gutters. Again, this is a project that can wait until the weather is warmer and you are able to repair or replace them without facing the harsh winter cold. Inspecting your interior will require more effort than the roof or gutters as you will need to look at your windows and exterior doors for leaks. These leaks are easier to spot in the winter because you may see frost on the windows or feel a cold breeze coming from them or from the doors. If there is frost on your windows you will need to either replace your weather stripping, exterior caulking, or the entire window depending on the extent of the damage. For your doors, if they are leaking you can either add some weather stripping or replace the doors in the spring.
All of this may seem overwhelming to a new homeowner or to a homeowner just learning the importance of exterior home maintenance however completing these simple projects can ensure your home will continue to protect your and your family for years to come. Not investing the time or money into your home can cause serious long-term damage that will cost tens of thousands to repair down the road. We recommend painting your exterior every 7-10 years, replacing your roof and gutters as necessary and completing your home projects from your spring inspection each year to ensure your home stays safe and beautiful for a lifetime.