A blanket of snow might be beautiful and feel idyllic in January, but once March rolls around you start to wonder: Did the winter weather damage my home? Heavy snow, expanding ice, and harsh winds (and especially all three) all have the power to harm your property. Here’s a look at a few of the areas on your property where winter can cause major issues, and how you can get your house back in shape:

Heating and Cooling Systems

Do you have an outdoor AC unit? If you’ve had a particularly harsh winter, there’s a good chance it’s sustained some damage. As Quicken Loans explains, properly protecting your unit in the fall can prevent damage, and if you missed it, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. When snow melts into a unit and then freezes, it expands. Depending on where this freezing occurred, it can push delicate hardware out of place, leading to poor efficiency or even complete breakage. 

Consider hiring an HVAC tech to service your AC unit to make sure you’re not paying extra to keep your home cool come summer. If the unit has been seriously damaged, you might even need to replace it entirely. In this case, expect to pay a pretty penny. The cost of replacing an HVAC system can run between $3,500 and $7,500. The actual figure depends on a variety of factors, including the cost of labor, brand of machine, and how much of the system actually needs to be replaced. Get an estimate from several contractors before you get started to find the best price and highest quality workers.

Roofing

Winter can cause a wide range of damage to your roof. In the same way ice can expand within outdoor machinery, it can expand between or beneath your shingles. Heavy snow and accumulated ice can also put excess pressure on the roof, which can lead to weak points or openings. This can cause water damage, or even create a space where animals can make their way into your attic. Moreover, pressure against gutters can cause them to come apart from the building, making them ineffective and leading to staining or damaging your siding.

Getting a roofer out to your house after winter for a roofing check-up is an absolute must. Bob Vila explains that a professional can tell you whether or not there are any major issues that need to be addressed, and can also touch up any little problems that might become big ones down the road. Since even minor roofing problems can lead to serious damage, it’s vital that you get this checked out ASAP, especially if you have any signs of water damage on your upper floors.

Foundational Issues

Finally, freezing groundwater in winter can erode your foundation and lead to leaks and cracks. The easiest way to tell this is a problem is finding water in your basement. Some water seepage may be normal, particularly if you’re in an older house. However, if the amount or frequency of basement water has increased since winter, you should consider having your foundation inspected.

When water can get in through the foundation, many major issues can occur. For starters, the pooled water can lead to mold and increase your likelihood of bugs and other pests. Foundational cracks can cause your home to shift, which can cause a dangerous lack of structural integrity. 

Money spent on a foundation inspection will be a great investment, since catching foundation issues early can save you a ton of money on major repairs. Depending on what the damage is, repairs might be as low as $500 for a crack repair to $9500 and up for extensive damage.

As spring arrives and the world around you thaws, take some time to make sure your house is still in good shape. There’s always a good reason to check out sights of potential winter damage. Early detection of minor issues will save you a lot of money in the long run.

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