Receiving a home inspection can seem like such a chore during some of the busiest seasons of life. However, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, it can be worth looking around your home before winter rolls around. Here are some of the top reasons and places to look during a home inspection.
Summer Can Add Wear
When it comes to house damage, most people think that spring and winter are the most destructive seasons of the year. Winter has its relentless cold and heavy snow, while spring has its recurring rain showers. However, summer weather can also damage your home in a variety of ways. One of the prime ways is through roof damage.
The roof goes through a lot. It keeps you sheltered during storms, but it also is the main place where your home absorbs the sun’s heat. Because of this, sun damage is something you will need to consider when inspecting your home. If it is damaged in summer, it will not be prepared for the winter months.
Detect Drafts
You also need to check if there are any drafts inside your house. Drafts indicate there are cracks somewhere—usually from a window or door—in your home where air can come and go. To repair this, you need to focus on weather stripping and caulking. This helps you also pay attention to trouble spots in your home.
There are reasons to use either of these techniques. Caulking is a more rigid, dry material, which is good for filling in cracks that do not need to move as often. Weather stripping is a bit more expensive, but is also more flexible and easier to apply to windows and doors.
Prevent Damage
Try inspecting places that have the highest chance for damage. This includes your outdoor sprinkler system. Winterizing your sprinklers helps prevent expensive repairs in the spring. This should be inspected every year before winter arrives.
You can prevent sprinkler damage by adding insulation around different sections of your system. You should make sure to drain the water out of your sprinkler system to make sure water does not burst the pipes when you need the sprinklers in spring. These outdoor pipes are an essential item to add to your summer inspection checklist.
Stop Indoor Water Leaks
Your sprinkler system is one place that can be improved through a yearly inspection. However, indoor water leaks are just as important. These are usually obvious—but sometimes they can surprise you.
It is always worth checking the bathroom and kitchen sinks to make sure none of them are showing signs of leakage. Like your sprinkler system, your indoor pipes could be blocked or frozen. If the situation is bad enough, it could be worth asking a professional for help.
Keep Your Home Comfortable
You want to make sure that your home is comfortable once winter comes. To ensure this, inspect your heater and your air conditioning units to make sure both are running smoothly. While this might seem tedious, it can save you a lot of money and pain during the coldest days of the year.
You also want to make sure your home has good insulation. This way you do not end up wasting money on your energy bill. Make sure you have safety alarms ready just in case something goes wrong. If possible, ask a professional to inspect your furnace for you.
Eliminate Unwanted Pests
The unfortunate thing about maintaining a warm home during the winter is that unwanted pests become attracted to it. These lone critters can become infestations if left unattended. Check your basement and attic for potential pest entryways. If you hear scampering noises inside your walls, you could have a pest problem.
Set out traps for the pest. Certain traps can be highly effective If it is a bug infestation, there are insecticides that are effective as well. In rare instances the problem can be too much for one person. If this is the case for your home, it is best to contact a professional exterminator.
Home inspections are a must. You want your home to be a comfortable and safe place for you and your family. These are a few of the many other things that you can inspect, but remember to always be aware of your home’s problems—it is better than waiting and regretting it.
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