First, look for visible signs of water damage, like puddles on the floor, water rings on the ceiling or walls, soft spots on the drywall, rot, or mold or mildew spots. These telltale signs will easily lead you to any problems that need repairing, and straight to the leak that let the water in.
Here are some areas to pay special attention to as you inspect your place for signs of snow-related damage:
- Crawl into the attic or crawl space and check your insulation. If water got into the attic, the insulation might have gotten wet and pulled away from the ceiling or walls it should cover. If that’s the case, you’ll need to reattach it, or if the insulation is damaged, replace it. Look behind the insulation for water spots. If you have to remove drywall from the ceiling, you’ll have to replace the insulation, too.
- Inspect your double-pane windows. Even the slightest crack in the glass or the frame can allow water to seep between the panes. You’ll be able to tell if you can see water between the panes, or streaks, which indicate that water was there but has dried. Your windows also might look cloudy, a sign that the energy-efficient gas that once was between the windows has escaped and has been replaced by outdoor air and moisture. You will most likely want to replace the whole window, not just the glass. It costs $250 to $300 to replace the glass, and you’ll get a five-year warranty on it. If you spend a little more to replace the whole window, you can upgrade to a higher-quality product, and you’ll get a warranty of up to 20 years. Plus, you can also resolve any problems with the flashing that might be what let the water into the windows.
- Look around windows and doors for signs of wood rot or other damage to frames. If they’re soft, peeling or crumbling, pry a piece of trim off of the frame. Chances are, you’ll find anything from mold to mushrooms underneath.
- Check your gutters. Ice dams that formed during the winter could have pulled them loose or bent them out of shape. Damaged gutters won’t keep water away from your foundation, and it’s important that they do.
- Cold, snowy winters bring wild temperature fluctuations, and that means the stucco on the outside of your house could have cracked enough to allow water to penetrate. When that happens, your home’s frame can get wet and moldy, or water can get into your home’s foundation, which can cause problems with settling or heaving. Look for cracks on exterior walls and seal them. Another sign of moisture penetration: chalky, white efflorescence on the stucco.
- Flush your water treatment system, which might have frozen over the winter. And chang the filters before your family starts using the water in a home that’s been closed up for the winter.
In addition, you’ll still have to give your summer home the usual once-over, which involves chasing away bugs that have taken up residence, clearing away overgrown bushes and giving the place a good cleaning.
After a snowy winter, make your assessment more thorough than usual. Sometimes, knowing the little extra things to look for can stop a problem before it gets big and expensive to repair.
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