Winter is hard on homes in Vancouver!
Vancouver winters are wet for up to 4 months. Deluges come and go, days are short, temperatures are low and humidity is high so things stay wet for months. And moisture is the hardest thing on many surfaces of your home, including the paint.
Over the past 2 decades, we have seen a pattern that many homeowners are not aware of. Over time, moisture can do damage, sometimes unseen or unnoticed, but it can be proactively addressed with regular maintenance.
Big water leaks definitely get peoples attention, but the slow degradation of painted surfaces and caulking can go largely unnoticed, especially in high and hard to reach areas.
Over time though, these issues can build up and lead to larger, more expensive issues.
Not to mention the aesthetic and safety issues of mildew buildup over time on a home’s surfaces including stairs, walkways, staining walls, gutters and trims.
As painters, we are up on roofs and ladders and see houses from all angles.
To help our clients identify issues requiring maintenance, PLE has come up with an assessment and maintenance approach that we want to share with you.
Assess Your House From The Top Down.
Start at the top on the roof:
- Look for damage, holes and degrading surfaces, including on chimneys
- Look for moss build up as moss traps moisture
- Look for areas and signs of pooling water
Your home’s gutters and drainage system:
- Are downspouts all attached?
- Are gutter seams sealed or leaking?
- Are the gutters full of leaves or other debris?
- Are the gutters stained, covered in mildew
Window sills and trims – Water ingress (penetration) happens here:
- How is the condition of the paint, is it intact without peeling or cracking?
- How is the condition of the caulking, is it cracked or shrunken?
- How is the condition of the wood, any signs of rotting or cracking?
Walkways, stairs, sidewalks, and other smooth surfaces are very slippery when wet:
- You may want your walkways and stairs to look good, clean and well taken care of
- You likely want your property to be safe, not having dangerous slippery areas people walk
- Is it time for a wash of your walkways and stairs? Look for green, feel it when it’s wet
Paint Protection:
- Time to examine the remainder of the painted surfaces on the house, looking for signs of degrading or failing paint, fading colours
- Do a full walk around, noting areas that can use attention next spring/summer
When you or PLE have gone through a comprehensive inspection of your home such as the one outlined above, you will be well equipped with the right information you need to build a proactive maintenance plan for your biggest asset, your home.
If you would like to speak to us about this process or book in for a maintenance service, please get in touch!