Snow and ice can do more than put a damper on your mood.

With much of the Kentuckiana area currently experiencing harsh winter weather, we here at Home Run Improvement want to remind our community how important it is to check for weather related damage. 

The frigid temperatures, piles of snow, and shiny iscles can do more than put a damper on your mood—they also have the ability to do a number on your house. When temperatures dip below freezing, there are several vulnerable areas of your property that are subject to potential problems that you'll have to fix come springtime.

Checking the following areas of your home exterior is important. The quicker you are able to identify damage done, the quicker a repair can be provided which not only prevents further damage but also saves your wallet. Small repairs are always cheaper than full replacements. Catch your damage early!

1.The Roof

Condensation and freezing temperatures can cause severe damage on your roof, including ice dams that lead to roof leaks, strong winds that loosen shingles, and icicles that put stress on your roof. 

An ice dam occurs when snow on the roof melts, runs to the edge and refreezes there, forcing water back up under the roof where it can cause leaks and shingles deterioration.

To avoid any major damage to your roof, remove any icicles immediately if possible and have a professional fix damaged shingles as soon as the wintry weather allows.

2. Gutters

Ice dams can do damage not only to your roof but to your gutters, as well.

That’s because the heavy ice building up on the edge can pull gutters away from the roof-line.

Clear your gutters of debris before cold weather arrives, then keep an eye on them in freezing temperatures to make sure they stay clear of dangerous amounts of ice. If ice dams do form, clear out your gutters by applying a de-icing agent or string a heated gutter cable (like this one from Amazon) to melt the ice and move the water away from your house.

3. Siding

Hail stones or fallen tree limbs can damage siding–vinyl or aluminum. Vinyl siding can become brittle in cold temperatures and is vulnerable to cracking. Should water seep behind those cracks, it can cause structural damage—a much bigger problem. So, keep an eye on your siding during the winter, and attend to small maintenance problems as quickly as possible. 

Experiencing snow or ice damage to your home? Call Home Run Improvement today to get a free estimate at 502-888-1396–we’re the leading experts in the Louisville & Southern Indiana area. We cover all the bases!

Stay safe & stay warm Kentuckiana!