MissLJBeauty

As snow melts and rain returns, moisture sneaks into tiny gaps. Walk the exterior and look for peeling paint, soft wood, and hairline cracks in concrete. Fixing small caulk and sealant failures now keeps water where it belongs.

Clean winter grit from siding and windows. A gentle wash helps you spot trouble like loose trim or missing fasteners. Mark repairs before plants leaf out and hide problem areas.

Check screens, vents, and weep holes. These parts control airflow and drainage as humidity rises. Clear blockages so moisture does not linger against wood.

Hot days expand materials and speed wear on shingles and flashing. If you see curling edges or loose tabs, you can go now and find a roofing company for a closer look before storms arrive. Add attic ventilation checks so heat doesn’t cook shingles from beneath.

Look for shiny bare spots where granules have worn off. That loss shortens shingle life and can show up as grit in gutters. Catch it early to avoid larger sections failing at once.

Sealant around vents and stacks can dry and crack in heat. Inspect these rings and reapply compatible roofing sealant. Small touchups delay bigger leaks.

Falling leaves load gutters and downspouts. Country Living notes most experts recommend cleaning at least once a year, but ideally twice - spring and fall - to keep water moving away from the house. Put this on the calendar before early storms hit.

Test each downspout by running water from a hose. Watch for overflow at inside corners and adjust hangers so channels slope toward outlets. Add extensions so discharge lands well past the foundation.

Clear roof valleys and leaf traps around chimneys. Debris piles hold moisture against shingles and flashing. A clean path reduces ice risk later.

Winter is tricky because water changes form and volume. A peer-reviewed study in Cold Regions Science and Technology reported that repeated freeze-thaw cycles reduce the compressive strength of asphalt mixes, which explains widening driveway cracks after cold snaps. Plan quick patching once temperatures allow.

Shovel before ice bonds to surfaces. Use deicer sparingly to avoid damaging concrete. Sweep leftover pellets so they do not corrode metal thresholds.

Watch for ice ridges at roof edges. They can signal poor attic insulation or ventilation. Addressing heat loss helps prevent ice dams.

Make a simple post-storm routine. Start with a ground-level scan for missing shingles, lifted flashing, or fresh granules near downspouts. Note any branches that scraped siding or trim.

Open the attic during rain to spot drips. Water trails and damp insulation point to small leaks you can fix before they grow. Place a bucket and mark the location for repair.

• Inspect fence panels and gates for loose screws

• Confirm downspouts stayed connected during heavy flow

• Photograph the roof and yard conditions for records and insurance

Follow up the list with quick fixes. Tightening fasteners or replacing a crushed splash block can prevent repeat damage in the next storm. Keep a small kit ready so you can act the same day.

Exterior paint is a thin shell that blocks UV and water. When it cracks or peels, moisture reaches wood fibers and swells them, opening more gaps. Prime bare spots quickly to stop the cycle.

Probe the suspect trim with a screwdriver. Soft areas near joints may mean rot starting under the caulk. Replace small sections before decay spreads.

Wash siding to remove pollen and soot. Clean surfaces last longer and reveal places that need touchups. Choose mild cleaners that will not etch finishes.

Rain needs a destination that is not your basement. Check that soil slopes away from the house for the first 6 to 10 feet. Add or regrade topsoil where puddles linger.

Confirm downspout extensions reach a driveway, drain, or splash block. If water returns toward the wall, extend the run. Keep outlets clear of mulch and leaves.

Watch where roof valleys dump water. If one corner gets hammered, consider a diverter or extra barrel. Moving water a few feet can protect a whole wall.

No home ages on the same schedule as the calendar on the fridge. When you pay attention to how each season affects wood, metal, and asphalt, you can act before problems get loud. A steady, seasonal rhythm keeps costs predictable and your exterior ready for whatever the sky throws next.