The nights are getting cold, the leaves are coming down, and winter is on its way. In Kelowna that means freezing temperatures and snow. A small problem on your roof or walls in October can turn into a leak or damaged wall by spring, because water that gets in can freeze and expand.
The best time to fix your exterior is right now, while it is still dry and workable. Here is what to check before winter arrives.
1.Your Roof
Look at your roof from the ground, with binoculars if you have them. Check for:
- Cracked or split shingles. Each one is an opening for water to reach the deck.
- Missing or blown off shingles. Even one exposes the layer underneath.
- Curled or lifted edges. Wind and meltwater can get under them.
- Granules in your gutters and at the downspout outlets. Heavy loss is a sign the shingles are wearing out.
- Loose or damaged flashings. Check around chimneys, vents, skylights, valleys and where roofs meet walls.
Do not climb on the roof yourself unless you are trained and equipped for it. It is not worth the fall.
2.Gutters And Downspouts
Clear them once the leaves have dropped, and make sure downspouts carry water away from your foundation.
3.Siding
Walk the whole house. Look for cracked, loose or missing panels, boards that are split or warped, and any spot where siding has pulled away. Cold makes vinyl more brittle and more likely to crack if it takes a hit, so loose or damaged panels are best dealt with before the freeze.
4.Caulking
Check every joint around windows, doors, trim, vents and penetrations. If the caulking is cracked, hardened or pulling away, it is not sealing. Timing matters here. For example, DAP says its Alex Plus exterior caulk should be applied between 40°F and 100°F (about 4°C to 38°C), and it takes 7 to 14 days to fully cure depending on joint depth, temperature and humidity. Check the label on any caulk you use. As nights get colder, the window for this job gets shorter.
5.Windows
Look at the glass and frames. Cracked glass, gaps around the frame, and fog or moisture trapped between the panes of a sealed unit are all worth having looked at. They let cold air in and can raise your heating costs.
6.Do It Now, Not In January
Once there is snow on the roof and temperatures drop, a lot of exterior work gets harder or has to wait. Getting ahead of it means you go into winter knowing your home is sound.
7.Let Kelowna Exteriors Take A Look
That is why we offer a free home assessment. Our crew has 25 years of experience in roofing, siding and flashings. We will go over your roof, siding, caulking and windows and tell you straight what is fine, what needs attention, and what can wait. No pressure and no obligation.
Book yours before the snow arrives.