Cheap Fixes, Expensive Problems (Part 2: Exterior Damage You Can’t Ignore)
Hey there, Salt Lake Valley homeowners! If you caught Part 1, you already know the deal: small fixes now or massive bills later.. Last time we talked about interior water damage, but today we’re stepping outside.
Living in places like Herriman, Sandy, and Riverton means our homes take a beating from the Utah elements. Between the heavy snow, the spring runoff, and those summer windstorms, your home’s exterior is your first line of defense. But when that defense has a tiny chink in the armor, the costs can skyrocket faster than you can say "basement flood."
Here are three exterior "cheap fixes" that prevent "expensive nightmares."
4. Clogged Gutters: The Foundation Killer
It seems so simple, right? A few leaves and some pine needles in the tray. But when your gutters are clogged, water has nowhere to go but over the side. Instead of being channeled away from your home, that water pools right at your foundation.
In the Salt Lake Valley, our soil can shift. When you dump hundreds of gallons of water next to your footer every time it rains, you’re practically inviting foundation cracks and basement moisture.
The Cheap Fix: $0 (if you’re brave on a ladder) to $150 for a professional cleaning.
The Expensive Problem: $5,000–$15,000+ for foundation stabilization or mold remediation in a flooded basement.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide on exterior home inspection red flags to see what else might be lurking.
5. Missing or Damaged Roof Shingles
We’ve all seen it after a big windstorm, that one lonely shingle sitting on the lawn. It’s easy to look up at the roof and think, “There are thousands of them. One missing won’t matter.”
That’s how roof leaks start.
The problem is that shingles work like a suit of armor. Once one piece is missing, the underlayment and roof decking are exposed. In Utah’s freeze-thaw cycle, water gets under the surrounding shingles, freezes, expands, and rips them up even further. Give it one season, and now you’ve got a ceiling stain and hidden rot.
The Cheap Fix: $10–$50 for a quick shingle replacement and some roofing cement.
The Expensive Problem: $10,000–$20,000 for a full roof replacement because the plywood decking rotted out.
6. Cracked Exterior Caulking (Windows & Siding)
This is probably the most overlooked maintenance item in the valley. Caulking around your windows, doors, and siding transitions isn't just for looks; it’s a water-tight seal.
Over time, the Utah sun bakes that caulk until it cracks. Once those gaps open up, water slips behind your siding where you can’t see it. You won't see the damage until the structural wall studs start to rot or you notice a draft that’s spiking your energy bills. Seal it now, save yourself all spring and summer.
The Cheap Fix: $20–$100 for high-quality outdoor sealant and a little elbow grease.
The Expensive Problem: Thousands in structural wood rot repair and siding replacement.
We’re Here to Help
At Your Handyman Pros, we see these "expensive problems" every day, and most of them could have been avoided in a single Saturday afternoon. Whether you’re in Riverton, Herriman, or anywhere else in the Salt Lake Valley, don’t let a $20 problem turn into a $2,000 headache.
We are a licensed and insured B100 General Contractor. If you aren't comfortable on a ladder or just want a pro to give your exterior a once-over, give us a call and we’ll take care of it. We’d love to help you keep your home in tip-top shape!
Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll talk about the safety and system failures that could literally save your life (and your wallet).
