Winter Home Health Check-Up: Three Areas to Examine Now

Winter has officially arrived. Now is the ideal time to do a home health check-up to ensure your home is prepared for the ice and snow that winter will bring.

So, what are the three key areas of your home to examine and what should you look for? We have you covered from roof to deck. Follow this step-by-step home check-up guide.

• Roof: Your roof has to battle a lot of Mother Nature’s enemies: Ultraviolet rays, rain, wind, snow and ice. But the good news is that most new shingle roofs are designed to last approximately 20 years. Slate roofs and some types of tile and metal roofs can last even longer. The actual life span of your roof is determined by several factors, including environmental conditions, material quality, proper application and regular roof maintenance.

Warning Signs: How do you know when your roof is in trouble? The following are some signs of water damage:

Outside:

• Shingles that are warped, blistered, missing or torn
• Shingles covered in moss or algae, which may hold moisture and encourage rot
• Loose material or wear around chimneys, pipes and other penetrations
• Overhanging tree branches that could gouge the roof in a strong wind
• Excessive debris (leaves, dirt, ice, roofing granules) in the gutters or downspouts, as this can block drainage

Inside:

• Ceiling spots or leaks
• Cracked paint
• Discolored plasterboard
• Peeling wallpaper
• Mold, mildew or rot in the walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems
• In the attic, look for signs of water infiltration such as staining, dampness or mold growing on insulation, sheathing or rafters. A poorly ventilated attic that shows signs of moisture promotes the roof's decay. Sufficient attic ventilation can be achieved by installing larger or additional vents.

Repairs Needed?

If repairs are needed, don’t skimp on quality to save a few cents. Much of the damage associated with serious storms results from water entering the home when roof coverings or siding is blown off. This is why it is imperative that you have a secondary layer of waterproofing protection underneath the shingles and siding. If proper protection measures are not taken, leaks can occur and lead to interior damage, rot and mold growth. Rot and mold can lead to major structural damage and even potential health problems for homeowners.

Use underlayments: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published recommendations for the use of fully-adhered roofing underlayments as an enhanced secondary water barrier for homes in both coastal and inland hurricane-prone areas. For more than 40 years, contractors have relied on GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® fully-adhered roofing underlayment from GCP Applied Technologies to provide quality protection. It provides premium performance, sealing to itself at overlaps, sealing to the roof deck and, most importantly, sealing around the fasteners used to attach the shingles, which helps prevent water from leaking into your home. In the event that roof coverings are blown off or water manages to get underneath your shingles, these underlayments are the key to preventing water infiltration.

• Windows & Doors: Beyond the roof, a home’s doors and windows can also become major leak zones. Even if the windows and doors are well shuttered in a storm, wind-driven rain can be blown into the house at these points, especially if they have not been properly flashed and weatherproofed.

Warning Signs: How do you know when your doors and windows are in trouble? The following are some signs of water damage:

Inside & Outside:

• Leaks or breaks in seams around window trim and sills
• Uneven doorframes
• Discolored plasterboard
• Peeling wallpaper
• Chipped or cracked stucco finishes
• Mold, mildew or rot in the walls, insulation and electrical systems
• Missing, cracked or blistered paint inside the home

Repairs Needed?

Use flashing: Flashing is a critical part of your home’s weather barrier system. If windows and doors are not properly sealed, wind-driven rain, ice and snow can cause leaks and damage to your home. Flexible flashings such as GCP Applied Technologies’ VYCOR® PLUS and VYCOR® PRO self-adhered flashing tapes can be used to seal the most vulnerable spots, including windows, doors, corner boards and other non-roof detail areas. It is designed to work in severe winter climates, milder climates and in coastal areas where wind-driven rain is common.

• Deck: Last but not least, check the deck. If your deck is not protected against extreme weather, it can deteriorate and become unsafe. Decks, fences and other wood products should be routinely weatherproofed and cleaned to maximize their useful life. Weather, combined with the treatment chemicals used for today’s pressure treated lumber, can take a toll on your deck.

Warning Signs: How do you know when your deck is in trouble? The following are some signs of water damage:

• Warped boards
• Cracked or split boards
• Debris that is “clogging up” space between deck boards
• Corroded joist hangers and other connectors under the deck
• Soft wood
• Mold and mildew

Repairs Needed?

Use a protective barrier: Even with today's treated and high-tech decking products — which look great and are designed to last — preventing joist rot and decay remains a major problem. GCP Applied Technologies’ VYCOR® Deck Protector® self-adhered flashing is a unique solution that significantly extends the useful life of decks. VYCOR® Deck Protector® flashing helps prevent joist rot and decay and decreases the corrosion rate of connectors and fasteners.

By inspecting these three areas of your home and correcting any damage with the best materials, you can help ensure your home will endure the winter ahead. And your wallet will be happy too! For more tips and information please visit www.gcpat.com