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How to Help Your Home Recover from Winter

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There’s a sense of deep pride that comes with being a homeowner. But with that satisfaction comes its share of weekend home improvement projects and upkeep, too.

Winter is usually rough on your home. Once snow, ice, wind and freezing temperatures calm down, spring is a good time to check how your home withstood the season. When spring arrives, here’s a list of projects to help your home recover from winter:

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

  • Have your roof inspected. This is especially important if you notice any leaks or loose shingles or metal. The freezing and thawing that was so common this past winter can create big splits out of small cracks. Learn more about how to protect your home from melting snow.

  • Fix any ceiling stains. Your ceiling may have a yellow or brown stain if your roof has a leak. If so, first fix the leak before sealing the stain with a sealer/primer then apply a coat or two of paint. Moisture problems can lead to mold or mildew build-up, so fix them quickly before you have a bigger problem on your hands.

Related: 5 Sneaky Sources of Water Leaks

  • Inspect windows and doors. Things to look for on doors include bent or broken hinges, frames or edges. Depending on the extent of the damage, you can either repair or replace the door. Also, check screens for holes before you swap out your storm panels.
  • Consider resealing your driveway. A lot of water seeps into driveways during the winter, which can create cracks when it freezes then thaws. If you notice a lot of cracks, consider having it resealed to prevent further cracking.

Related: What Does a Home Inspector Look For?

  • Check your fence(s). Repair or replace any loose slats or rot on your fences. Use epoxy to patch up any worn wood.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts. Leaves can weigh things down while ice dams can bend and break gutters. Grab a pair of gloves, a sturdy ladder and a trowel to clear any leaves and debris out. Call a professional if you’re not comfortable doing this on your own. Want more tips? Check out this post on how to clean your gutters.

  • Check for ice dams. If you’re dealing with an ice dam and want to try a DIY approach, first remove snow with a long-handled aluminum roof rake. Then fill a pair of pantyhose with calcium chloride ice melter and hang it from your roof so it crosses the ice dam and hangs off the gutter. If that doesn’t melt the ice dam, call a pro—you don’t want to be up on your roof during icy conditions. Learn more in this post on what to know about ice dams.

  • Apply caulk to leak-prone areas. Expansion and contraction can cause openings that will let April rains seep in. Seal it up by applying exterior caulk to leak-prone areas like windows and areas of the siding where walls join together.
  • Inspect outside faucets and hoses. Turn them on to ensure water is still running as it should; if you can stop the flow with your thumb, the water pressure may be too low and a pipe inside your home may need to be fixed.

Additionally, you might want to check your home’s foundation. After winter, a frost heave could cause your home’s foundation to shift.  Learn how to spot the signs of frost heave.

Make sure you take a look at how to help your car and yard recover from winter, too. And check in with your local ERIE Agent to make sure you’re covered no matter what season it is.

Protect Your Home with Homeowners Insurance You Can Trust

You work hard to invest in your home. At ERIE, we get the emotional and financial importance of your biggest investment – which is why our homeowners insurance goes the distance.

Ask a local ERIE agent about homeowners insurance with 100% Guaranteed Replacement Cost*. Unlike an actual cash value policy that subtracts for wear and tear and depreciation, Guaranteed Replacement Cost covers the cost to rebuild at current construction costs.

Learn more about what makes our homeowners coverage different, or find a local ERIE agent to request a quote.

*Guaranteed Replacement Cost applies to covered losses and requires home improvements over $5,000 to be reported within 90 days—not available with all policies and in all states. Coverage of costs to comply with laws or ordinances is subject to limits. Depreciation will be deducted until repair or replacement is completed. Talk to your ERIE agent for more information.

This article was originally published in 2018. It was updated with new information on Feb. 27, 2019.