No matter where you live, winter can be harsh on your home and garden. The change in weather, the increased moisture, and the use of more heat can all contribute to problems in your home over the cold months.

Fortunately, as the winter months pass and spring begins, there are several inspections you can conduct to return your home to its former state. All of these are important checkups to make if you want to ensure that the cold didn’t damage your home. Plus, they’ll leave you more prepared for the warm months of summer.

Which of these home inspections do you need to schedule in the near future?

1. Take a Look at Your Roof Shingles

Winter takes a toll on your roof – more than any other season. The snow, ice, wind, and cold temperatures can all cause damage to your shingles, and we all know how expensive it can be to replace a roof.

Now is the time to take a look at your roof to take note of any damage. Watch for any metal pipes that look off, missing shingles, or other problems. At the smallest sign of a problem, call a roofer. It’s always better to act in advance and forestall any future problems while you have the chance.

2. Examine Your Chimney

There are several reasons to examine your chimney come spring. First of all, you probably used your chimney more during winter than the rest of the year – soot and debris might have accumulated over time. This needs to be cleaned out to promote cleaner air and a safer chimney.

Secondly, with spring comes the activity of animals.

After winter, you might find that raccoons, birds, and other small critters are interested in building a home in your chimney. If this is the case, don’t handle the issue on your own. Always call a professional to deal with wild animals.

Last but not least, let’s talk about the effect water can have on your chimney. Whether it’s from the thawing of winter ice or the arrival of spring showers, water can destroy your chimney, leaving it exposed to risks when you eventually light a fire.

Don’t let water, debris, or animals wreak havoc on your chimney. Schedule a professional chimney inspection post-winter to ensure everything is in good shape.

3. Service Your AC Unit

As winter departs and spring arrives, it’s time to prepare for the switch from using your heater to juicing up your air conditioner. Because your AC hasn’t seen much action in months past, you’ll need to schedule an inspection with an HVAC company to make sure everything is in proper order.

Not only will a professional inspector root out any problems, but they’ll also perform maintenance like changing the filters to avoid slowly killing your air conditioner. Make your unit last longer and help it provide sweet, cool air all summer long.

4. Have Those Gutters Cleaned

Have you taken a look at the recent state of your gutters?

If winter has left them clogged with fallen leaves, moisture, and debris, you’ll need to clean them out quickly to prevent rot and dangerous clogs. If water can’t flow properly through your gutters, it can trickle down and cause problems with your home’s foundation.

The earlier you have your gutters and downspouts cleaned, the easier it will be for your home to properly handle the rainstorms and thaws that accompany spring. 

5. Watch for Cracks in Your Concrete

Something many homeowners don’t realize is that winter can be tough on your concrete materials. From paths leading to your house and your driveway, the moisture from cold temperatures can cause serious damage. As water soaks into the ground and freezes during the winter, cracks can appear – permanently damaging the area.

If you catch these cracks in their earliest stages, you might be able to have a professional fill them and prevent them from expanding. In worse scenarios, you may need to replace the concrete entirely. Either way, it’s better to know sooner than later. 

In Conclusion

Everyone looks forward to warmer weather, but there are plenty of winter damages that will carry over if you’re not careful. Spring, coupled with the end of cold weather, provides a perfect timeframe to give your home a little TLC.

Schedule a few uber-important inspections to make sure you enter the new season on the right foot.

Amy McConaghy is Reliance Home Comfort’s Digital Marketing Specialist, managing the editorial, video and visual content creation for all digital platforms. Amy’s writing is focused on bringing home improvement, energy and money saving tips to the homeowners and answering questions about all their home comfort needs. You can find Amy on LinkedIn.