Inspecting Your Home Exterior

SANTA ROSA — As a homeowner, it’s important to periodically inspect your home exterior. A good way to do this is to walk around your home and look closely for any potential issues. By doing this a couple of times each year, you can catch and remedy problems before they become full-blown. Here are a few things to look for during your inspection:

Missing/protruding nails. Exposed nail holes can allow water to penetrate your roof and siding, which can potentially lead to dry rot issues.

Missing/worn-out caulking. Caulking is used to seal gaps around windows, doors and other areas from moisture intrusion. However, it isn’t permanent, so you’ll need to reapply it periodically.

Unsealed gaps around eaves. Eaves are the parts of your roof that hang out over the walls. It’s easy to overlook gaps around the eaves, but they can provide an easy conduit for rodents to enter your home, so keep an eye out and seal any that you find.

Moisture on the insides of window panes. This may be a sign that the window’s seal has deteriorated, or it may be a symptom of failed exterior caulking. If it continues to be a problem, consult a professional.

These kinds of issues may appear insignificant at first, but they can lead to major consequences like water damage and pest infestation. By checking for and addressing them proactively, you stand to save thousands of dollars on future repairs.