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The importance of your home’s exterior extends far beyond curb appeal and property value. It protects the underlying structure and is an integral aspect of the house’s building envelope. A loose envelope can negatively impact energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. Exterior deterioration can lead to water intrusion and other major damage. Let’s explore how to spot home exterior damage signs before they require expensive repairs.
Schedule Annual Professional Inspections and Maintenance
Professionals can often spot home exterior damage signs that homeowners will miss. A common homeowner mistake is not scheduling home exterior services until there’s a problem. Home exterior experts recommend a more proactive approach because it can avoid significant deterioration and lower your overall costs. Homeowners should schedule a full inspection of their homes’ exteriors at least once a year and perform maintenance as needed. In a colder climate like Michigan’s, the ideal time to schedule is early in the fall before the harsher weather arrives. That way, you can correct any home exterior damage signs prior to the freezing temperatures, high winds, icy rains, or snowfall.
Perform Routine Homeowner Evaluations Every Month
It’s also important for homeowners to regularly monitor for home exterior damage signs and schedule repairs early if required. At least once a month, walk around the interior and exterior of your home scanning for potential problems. The key areas you’ll want to monitor include your:
- Attic
- Ceilings, walls, and flooring
- Roofing
- Skylights
- Gutters and downspouts
- Siding and trim
- Windows and doors
- Basement
- Foundation
- Landscape and hardscapes
What to Look For When It Comes to Your Home Exterior
Here, we’ll cover what to look for concerning how the different aspects of your home’s exterior may deteriorate. Be mindful that not all symptoms of a problem will manifest as obvious home exterior damage signs. Monitor for anything that seems out of the ordinary, and that may point to a more serious underlying issue.
Attic
While your attic is inside your home, it can often provide early indicators of problems with your home’s exterior. Go up into your attic during a sunny day, which will let you see any sunlight peeking through. A small, consistent strip along the ridge or eaves may not be a problem, as it’s often for ventilation. Pinholes, on the other hand, are serious home exterior damage signs. They indicate roof penetrations that have extended through the underlayment and sheathing. You should also look for any signs of moisture in your attic. These can manifest as water stains on your roof’s wood elements. You may also notice attic insulation that’s moist or flattened, which suggests that it was once wet.
Roofing System
Homeowners don’t have to get up on a ladder to inspect their roofs. You can see most problems walking around your home from a few feet or more back. Experts also recommend scanning your roof from across the street. That will make it easier to see a sagging roofline or decking, which are both serious roofing issues. Scan your roof’s shingles for any tears, pockmarks, discoloration, or growth, such as algae. Wavy or uneven shingle rows can indicate problems with the decking beneath. Don’t ignore any missing, displaced, or cracked shingles. Even shingles curling along the edges are a notable problem. The wind can easily drive them up, allowing rain to get up underneath them.
Gutter System
Your gutter system serves your roof by allowing it to shed rainwater as quickly and efficiently as possible. A well-functioning gutter system helps prevent ice dams. It also protects your siding, windows, doors, foundation, landscape, and hardscapes. Look for any signs of clogging, including water stains and plant growth. Scan along the gutters for unevenness, worn seams, any damage, and orange spots, which can indicate rust. Gutters and downspouts that are pulling away from the home can cause damage to siding, windows, and more.
Skylights
If you have skylights, include them in your interior and exterior assessments. Indoors, you should look for signs of water damage and, if applicable, any usability difficulties. When scanning your roof, check your skylights for damaged or rusted flashing. You should also look for impact marks, any cloudiness, and warping or other distortions.
Windows
Problems with your windows can manifest both inside and outside your home. Correct serious damage right away, including cracked panes and damaged frames. Inside your home, worn windows can lead to uncomfortable living spaces and higher heating/cooling costs. Don’t ignore windows that are difficult to open or close. Many modern homes have double-hung windows that let you tilt the top sash indoors. That makes it easier to closely review the exterior without having to get on a ladder. Problems to look for include:
- Moisture pattens
- Seal failures
- Subtle warping
- Fogging between panes
- Panes that look dirty inside
- Distorted reflections
- Damaged frame materials
Doors
You’ll want to review your doors inside and out as well. Warping, for instance, can often be much easier to see from the inside than the exterior. A door that’s difficult to open, close, and/or secure can indicate warping. Look for any serious damage, including cracks in any wood or glass. Don’t ignore draftiness, which can undermine energy efficiency. Scan the bottom inside and outside as well for signs that moisture has affected the threshold.
Siding
Scan each side of your house, starting at the top and working to the bottom. Scan left to right and right to left, making sure to look at the corner boards and other trim. Damage that needs immediate attention includes cracks, splits, and warped panels. Vinyl siding can exhibit buckling, waviness, and heat-distorted areas. With fiber cement, watch for discoloration, peeling paint, edge swelling, and big gaps along the trim. With wood, pay particular attention to soft spots, rot, and any signs of a pest infestation.
Other Homeowner Considerations
If your home has a basement, be sure to include it in your monthly evaluation as well. Problems in your basement can extend to your foundation and other aspects of your home’s exterior. Moisture problems in basements are serious and may warrant better foundation drainage and/or a sump pump system. When walking around the house, look for any damage to the foundation, including cracks or bulging sections. Pay attention to the nearby dirt as well for signs of gutters overflowing, shingles shedding granules, and so on.
Local, Trusted Home Exterior Solutions in Farmington Hills
If you’ve noticed home exterior damage signs, count on American Standard Roofing in Farmington Hills, MI. Our locally owned and operated company has over 35 years of experience serving Southeast Michigan homeowners. We can assist you through a wide range of home exterior remodeling services. Our experts perform repairs of many home exterior features. We also install roofing systems, skylights, gutters, siding, windows, doors, and much more. In-person estimates are available at no cost and without obligation. To schedule an on-site consultation, call us today or book your appointment online.