The weather is finally breaking, which will finally allow you to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. However, this also means that there is a lot of home maintenance work to be done due to the toll of the winter, with its record wind, snow and ice. It is important that you get your home ready for the spring. Ensure that your home exterior, including the chimneys, roofs, siding and windows are in good condition. Below are some of the common areas you should check and repair if necessary before the spring.

Check to see if there are leaks

One of the most crucial aspects of post-winter inspection is checking to discover whether any water has seeped into your home through the windows, roof or chimneys. Be sure to examine such areas that have water spots, leaks or rotting wood, such as the trim around doors and windows, fascia’s, soffits and rakes.

Have any rotted wood replaced. Also check the caulk and have it replaced if necessary. Additionally, if there is water damage on your home’s interior affecting the drywall on ceilings and walls have it repaired immediately.

Inspect your home for cracks

In addition to inspecting your windows and roofs for leaks, your hired professional should also check the concrete stone and brick surrounding your home’s exterior. This will allow them to detect any gaps through which water might have penetrated, frozen and subsequently expanded, creating larger gaps or cracks. This may result into further leakage.

This problem is particularly common with chimneys. In the event that the crown is cracked, it could cause severe damage to the brick, resulting into a potentially extensive and expensive repair.

Check to see if your drainage system is working properly

If you didn’t take time in early winter to appropriately drain your exterior hose bibs while shutting them off, chances are that you have frozen pipes. Frozen pipes are extremely dangerous as the water inside may expand, causing the pipes o burst. This will necessitate the hiring of a professional to replace the pipes.

Inspect your roof

The cold nights, heavy snowing and ice build-up experienced through the winter can easily take a toll on your roofing structure. This will lead to leaks, stains, mildew, mold and rot on your walls, ceilings and attic. Worse still, leaks can potentially cause electrical shorts, leading to fires. To ensure that a tiny leak does not cause bigger problems, inspect your roof for the following:

• Cracked, missing or torn shingles
• Sagging
• Signs of water damage in the attic and ceilings

Inspect your siding

It is possible that your siding got damaged during the winter. A damaged siding will allow water to creep into your home interior, which will subsequently freeze and expand, prying your siding off the house. This can lead to major problems in your home’s frame, as well as more expensive problems to fix.

Inspect your windows

The windows are the eyes of your home; they essentially let in the light and they are integral to your home’s beauty. You should therefore inspect your windows for:

• Mold growth
• Fog in between the glass
• Soft window frames with cracks and rot
• Peeling paint

If you detect any of these signs of window damage, consult a qualified professional for replacement.

After every harsh winter, it is imperative that you have your home checked by a trained professional to make sure that it made it through the season unscathed. Any of the above discussed problems could potentially create much bigger problems that would cost you substantial amounts of money to rectify.