Post-Winter Pitfalls: Why Your Salt Lake Valley Home Is Crying for Help (Part 2)
Welcome back! If you caught Part 1 of this series, you know we’ve been digging into the "invisible" damage that a Salt Lake Valley winter leaves behind. Yesterday was all about gutters and foundations, but today we’re looking up and out.
The freeze-thaw cycle we deal with in places like Herriman and Riverton is brutal. When water gets into a tiny crack, freezes, and expands, it slowly forces cracks wider over time on your home. Here are the three big areas you need to check right now.
1. Siding and Exterior Paint
Your home’s siding is its first line of defense. Whether you have vinyl, wood, or stucco, winter takes a toll. In West Valley City and Magna, we often see siding that has cracked, loosened, or shifted after months of temperature swings.
If you have painted wood siding, check for peeling paint, or "alligatoring." Once that seal is broken, moisture gets into the wood and starts the rot process. Catching these hidden wear spots early can save you thousands in siding replacement later.
2. Decks and Fences
Wood is essentially a giant sponge. If your deck or fence wasn’t perfectly sealed before the snow hit, chances are it soaked up some moisture. Now that the sun is coming out in Sandy, uneven drying can lead to warping, splintering, and wood rot.
Walk your deck and look for "soft" spots or pops in the wood. If water doesn't bead up on the surface anymore, it’s time for a fresh coat of sealant. Don't wait until the middle of summer when the wood is already bone-dry and brittle. A little preventative maintenance now keeps your outdoor space safe for those summer BBQs.
3. Roof and Attic Inspections
You don't necessarily need to climb a ladder to spot roof trouble. Grab a pair of binoculars and look for missing, curled, or cracked shingles. Heavy snow loads can stress your roof, and ice dams can lift or damage shingles along the roof edge.
Inside the house, head up to the attic. Look for water staining on the rafters or damp insulation. Even if you don't see a drip in your living room, a slow leak in the attic can lead to mold issues that are a nightmare to remediate. If you aren't sure if you should repair or replace certain exterior elements, we can help you make that call.
Why Hire a Pro?
Look, I know the "to-do" list gets long this time of year. As a licensed B100 General Contractor, I’ve seen what happens when these "small" spring chores get pushed to next year. What starts as a $200 repair can easily turn into a $2,000 project by autumn.
At Your Handyman Pros, we truly believe that no job is too big or too small. Whether you need a few shingles replaced or help evaluating a larger siding project, we’re here to help our neighbors across the Salt Lake Valley. We’re proud to be recognized as one of the best in the business, and we'd love to show you why.
Give us a call today and let's get your home back in tip-top shape!
