Spring Homely Sweep: Avoiding Post-Winter Disasters with Ease
Home Inspection Guideline - Preventing Further Home Damage during Spring Season
Taking a gander at your home in the spring is more than just a casual glance. Springtime is the perfect moment to scrutinize your home for winter-related damage, keeping those hefty repair bills at bay. Here are some handy tips to ensure your beloved abode is in pristine condition for spring.
Many homeowners pay closer attention to their home during the spring. After all, winter takes its toll on a home, causing damage that may not be readily apparent. "It's indeed helpful to conduct a spring audit," says Heinrich Bökamp of the Nordrhein-Westfalen Engineers' Chamber. However, the majority of damage to a home doesn't occur in the few cold months; instead, it happens over a more extensive period.
The culprits behind these defects can be a home's age, construction errors, or faulty materials, says Bökamp. Given these factors, it's essential to evaluate any damage, identifying and eliminating what requires immediate attention to prevent costly, subsequent damage.
When conducting your spring audit, it's best to proceed methodically. Consider the following questions:
- Has the roof been damaged, possibly with leaks?
- Has the winter frost caused damage to the facade?
- Have existing cracks deepened, or have new ones emerged in the facade?
- Have bumps appeared on the masonry?
- Has moisture or even water infiltrated the masonry?
- Is there any moldy growth anywhere?
Algae and cracks in the facade - cause for concern?
A lush, green-gray algae layer on the facade may be unsightly, but it's usually not a cause for alarm. "On the contrary, it's actually a sign that the facade is well-drained," explains Corinna Kodim from Germany's Haus & Grund homeowners' association. Algae, therefore, are generally harmless. They tend to settle on the windward sides of buildings. "All that's needed to remove them is a cleaning agent," says Kodim.
Small cracks in the house facade are generally harmless too, says Bökamp. "If they're shallow and not growing, there's no immediate need to address the issue," he adds. Give those cracks a bit of time; if they deepen and widen, however, it's essential to find their causes, as the damage to the entire building can quickly escalate.
Moisture in the masonry - investigate the foundation and roof
Water penetrating the masonry due to larger cracks or other damage can wreak havoc on your home. This can manifest as water stains or mold growth inside the house. When that happens, you should take prompt action, advises Kodim. "Simple patchwork won't suffice in the long run." Instead, tracking down and resolving the root cause is crucial, as the causes of seemingly minor damage to your home can sometimes be more profound.
Keep in mind: The source of water damage isn't always located near the damaged area. Water tends to follow its own path through the building, so water damage may be a consequence of damage to the facade, foundation, or roof.
Damages to the roof should never be underestimated, as even minor leaks can let water into the home," says Gerhard Heying from the Homeowners' Protection Association. What then? For flat-roofed homes, you can inspect them to some extent; check if, for example, the adhesive strips and mastic joints are still intact. "For pitched roofs, it's best to leave the inspection to a professional," advises Heying.
Blisters on the facade - preventing further damage
"Damage that changes should be taken seriously," says Bökamp. This could mean cracks that keep growing or spots that continue to spread. "Damage that keeps recurring after it's been repaired also indicate deeper issues. In this case, homeowners would be wise to take action to prevent costly follow-up damage," advises Bökamp.
For example, if the facade is damaged, water could seep into the insulation layer. "Should enough water find its way in that the facade forms thick blisters, it's difficult to save," says Kodim. Also, most insulation materials lose their insulating properties when they get wet. "In such a case, the insulation material would have to be replaced." Some materials, like glass wool or polyisocyanurate (PIR), have better dimensional stability than wood fiber or cellulose. Nevertheless, insulation layers should be thoroughly dried before being refinished.
Blister formation in the base area - prompt action needed
Homeowners should also move quickly if they discover that blisters are forming in the base area of the building. This could be a sign of more extensive damage. "This issue is quite common," explains Heying. "It usually happens because the base of the house wasn't properly sealed, allowing moisture from the ground to seep into the subfloor."
The moisture then rises into the base layer. "This phenomenon can occur even in new buildings when the lower parts of the base weren't adequately protected from moisture during the final stage of construction," says Heying.
It's essential to address such damage promptly. Otherwise, the moisture can spread further in the base. The key to a moisture-proof coating: apply it from the lowest edge of the base plaster and make sure it extends at least five centimeters above the filled earth.
Mold on the walls - finding the true cause
Cracks allowing moisture to damage your home are one issue. Mold growth inside your home can have a different source: "In the winter, cold air often enters the home," says Bökamp. If it's not ventilated properly, it can turn into a problem, especially in well-insulated homes. "If the moisture doesn't have a chance to escape, it condenses on the inner surfaces of the walls and mold forms," says Bökamp. Wiping away the mold won't solve the problem.
An extensive review is in order here. "Sometimes mold is caused by poor insulation, thermal bridges, or other construction defects," explains Bökamp. "In such cases, it keeps returning."
Sources: ntv.de, Katja Fischer, dpa
Enrichment Data:
General Tips:
- Repair or replace any damaged roof shingles, skylights, siding, flashing, siding, foundation, and masonry.
- Clear gutters and downspouts and ensure they're properly draining.
- Check for and repair plumbing leaks and insulate exposed pipes.
- Inspect attic and basement for moisture and proper insulation and ventilation.
- Address any mold growth quickly and investigate the cause.
Specific Issues:
Leaks and Roofing:- Inspect the roof for missing, cracked, or loose shingles.- Examine the skylights for any damage.- Hire a professional to inspect the roof if you have a pitched roof.
Gutter System:- Clean gutters and downspouts.- Ensure proper drainage by extending downspouts away from the foundation.
Masonry:- Inspect masonry for freeze-thaw damage.- Use breathable sealants to prevent water penetration and repair damaged mortar joints.
Windows and Doors:- Check for condensation between window panes, indicating a seal failure.- Evaluate the condition of window inspections and manually operated storm windows.- Replace or repair worn-out weatherstripping and inspect door seals for damage.
Plumbing and HVAC Systems:- Check for leaks in pipes and around fixtures.- Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing.- Ensure sump pumps work correctly and have backup power.
Landscaping and Outdoor Structures:- Ensure yard grading directs water away from the home.- Trim trees and shrubs to prevent potential damage from branches.- Inspect decks and porches for structural integrity and recoat decks for protection.
- To prevent costly damages in the spring, it's essential to adhere to the community policy of conducting a thorough home audit, specifically focusing on the roof, facade, and masonry.
- A green-gray algae layer on the facade is usually harmless and can be removed with a cleaning agent, but deepening or widening cracks in the facade could indicate underlying issues that demand immediate attention.
- water penetrating the masonry due to cracks or other damage can lead to significant problems, such as water stains or mold growth inside the house, necessitating prompt investigation and resolution of the root cause.
