Post-Winter Pitfalls: 3 Mistakes Salt Lake Valley Homeowners Make (Part 1)
Hey there, Salt Lake Valley! It’s early March, and while we’re all starting to see a little more sun and a lot less slush, this is the time of year when your home’s "winter scars" start to show.
Winter in Utah isn’t just about shoveling driveways; it’s about the silent stress the ice and snow put on your house. We see it every year from Herriman to West Valley City: homeowners wait until summer to check their exteriors, only to realize a small winter issue has turned into a massive spring headache.
To help you stay ahead of the game, I’m breaking down the six biggest post-winter pitfalls into a two-part series. Today, we’re looking at the first three heavy hitters.
1. Ignoring Gutter Debris and Ice Dam Damage
When water on your roof refreezes along the roof edge above the gutters, it creates ice dams. These aren't just pretty icicles; they are heavy blocks of ice that can bend your gutters, pull them away from the fascia, or cause water to back up under your shingles.
Once the thaw hits, those gutters get filled with "roof grit," those tiny granules from your shingles, and leftover fall leaves you might have missed. If your gutters are sagging or clogged, water won't flow away from your house. Instead, it spills over the side and pools right at your foundation. Whether you’re looking for home repair in Salt Lake or just need a quick gutter tune-up, getting these cleared now is much cheaper than dealing with water intrusion later in the spring.
2. Forgetting the Sprinklers and Exposed Pipes
It happens to the best of us. Maybe you didn't get the full blowout done in time, or perhaps a late-season freeze caught a frost-free hose bib off guard. Now that things are warming up, it’s time to look for cracked sprinkler heads and exposed pipes that might have hairline fractures.
If you have an outdoor sink or a secondary water line in Magna or Riverton, give it a close look. Even a tiny crack in a plastic sprinkler head can waste a surprising amount of water over the course of a season once you flip the system back on. If you’re searching for a handyman in Sandy, Utah to help audit your exterior plumbing before the watering season starts, we’ve got you covered.
3. Missing the Hairline Foundation Cracks
The "Freeze-Thaw" cycle is the ultimate enemy of concrete. Water gets into tiny pores, freezes (and expands), then thaws (and shrinks). This happens hundreds of times over a Utah winter. This cycle can widen tiny imperfections in the concrete into visible hairline cracks.
Walk around the perimeter of your home. If you see new cracks or notice old ones have widened, don't ignore them. These are invitations for the spring runoff to find its way into your home. Early detection and sealing can save you from a world of hurt. Look for hidden wear spots before they become larger structural or water-intrusion problems.
We’re Here to Help!
Checking for these issues now ensures your home stays solid all year long. As a licensed and insured contractor, we know that effective inspections can save a homeowner thousands.
If you aren't comfortable climbing ladders or crawling around the foundation, give us a call. Your Handyman Pros is your go-to Salt Lake handyman for everything from gutter repair to general home maintenance.
Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow, where we’ll talk about deck safety, roof shingles, and the importance of grading!
