Download a Home Repair and Maintenance Checklist For a more complete overview of home maintenance items, down load my free […]

Since we in Cincinnati have to consider severe weather, we’d like to highlight 3 home maintenance tips that are essential […]

Every year, Remodeling Magazine publishes a cost vs. value report in which they empirically compare how homeowners are investing in […]

Fall Home Maintenance Items That You Can’t Ignore After years of working in the home repair business, I’ve whittled down […]

Running a home repair business is analogous to being a cardiologist. Just like heart disease, most of the problems with expensive home repairs are preventable. Unfortunately we Americans aren’t known for our being proactive. Every spring I get to see the evidence of this, as my phone rings of the hook from all the preventable damage that homeowners discover.

Prevent expensive home repairs by following these 5 simple steps. Ice, rain, snow and wind wreak havoc on roofs, soffits, gutters, siding, windows and doors–causing water damage and wood rot.

Roofing problems that spotted now by an expert and easily resolved can avoid expensive repairs later. Most common of these problems include cracked, missing or loose shingles, damaged or loose flashing and failed vent boots or other roof components. Failure of these basic components allows water intrusion and hence, the resulting damage to wood, insulation, drywall and electrical components.

As you can see from the picture above, wood rot from continual water exposure made the fascia, soffit and trim soft enough for the critters to chew through, making a grand entryway into the home. One of the simplest ways to prevent this sort of costly damage is to ensure the gutters of the home remain clean and functional, tree limbs remain clear of the structure, and that the roof is periodically inspected for signs of wear.