April 5th, 2014 7:25 PM by Dan Howard
Check for loose siding, shingles, gutters, downspouts, soffit and fascia. Securing loose materials is cheaper and looks better than replacing them with new materials that will not match faded components.
Branches, limbs, leaves and other debris blocking gutters will result in wall and foundation leaks. At the same time you are looking up, check for loose shingles. A leaking ceiling is a bad way to learn about roof leaks.
After looking up at the roof, take a look down and identify and seal spaces between the house and patio or sidewalks to avoid wet basements
Check for openings in your fences, particularly if you have pets.
Retaining walls that have moved or pushed need repair before they fall or cause damage.
Stand back and check chimney conditions. Loose brick is a safety hazard, chipping brick can be a sign of blocked or oversized chimneys.
Check railings to make sure that they are secure. A railing that comes loose can cause more injury than no railing at all if they come loose while being used for support.
Check peeling paint which often indicates that there is leakage into a wall or overhang.
Look for hanging limbs. They can damage whatever is below them when they finally come loose.
Check that the decks are secured. Every year we have stories about decks and balconies falling.