Well, neighbors, we made it. It’s officially April here in the North Country, and if you look out your window in Fort Covington or Brushton, you’ll see the snow is finally retreating. While it isn’t exactly "t-shirt and flip-flops" weather yet, the sun is sticking around a little longer each day. It’s that unique time of year where the mud is deep, the air is crisp, and our houses are finally showing their faces after a long winter burial.
I’m Phillip Showen, and if you’ve lived around here for a while, you know that our winters aren't exactly gentle. Between the sub-zero snaps, the heavy lake-effect snow, and those late-winter ice storms, your home’s exterior has been through a battle. Now that the weather is clearing up for the weekend, it’s the perfect time for a "Recon Mission."
Before you start thinking about gardening or BBQing, you need to make sure your home’s "shell" is still in good shape. Grab a notepad, put on your boots, and follow this checklist to see what needs attention before the spring rains really start coming down. If you find something that needs fixing, remember that Smith Lumber and Johnston's Building Materials are ready to help. Whether you are looking for a home improvement store or just a reliable hardware store near me, we’ve got the inventory and the advice to get your house back in top form.
1. Inspect the Foundation and Drainage
Your foundation is the most important part of your house, and winter is its biggest enemy. The freeze-thaw cycle we deal with in Northern NY can cause the ground to shift, which puts immense pressure on your foundation walls.
First, walk the perimeter of your home. Look for new cracks in the concrete or masonry. Small, hairline cracks are often just settling, but if you see anything wider than a quarter-inch, or if a crack seems to be bulging, it’s time to take a closer look. Check out our concrete supplies or masonry sections if you need patching materials.
Next, look at the grading. Is the mud sloping away from your house, or is it pooling near the walls? You want water to move away from your foundation to prevent basement flooding. If you see standing water, you might need to bring in some fill or adjust your landscaping once the ground dries out a bit more.
2. Scan the Siding and Exterior Walls
Winter wind and ice can do a number on your siding. Whether you have vinyl, wood, or metal siding, you need to check for "battle scars."
- Check for warping or bulging: This can happen if water got behind the siding and froze. If the siding is popped out, it’s not doing its job of keeping the elements away from your lumber and building materials underneath.
- Look for cracks and chips: In extremely cold temperatures, vinyl siding can become brittle. A stray rock from a snowblower or even a heavy piece of ice can cause it to crack.
- Inspect the caulking: Check the seams around your windows and doors. Caulk can dry out and crack over the winter. If you see gaps, you’re literally letting money leak out of your house in the form of heat, and you're inviting water in.
If your siding looks a bit rough, we can help you find matching pieces or discuss replacement options at either our Fort Covington or Brushton locations.
3. The Roof and Shingle Check
You don't necessarily need to climb up on the roof: especially if things are still a bit slippery: but you should do a thorough visual inspection from the ground using binoculars.
Look for:
- Missing or curled shingles: High winds can easily peel back older shingles.
- Granule loss: If you see a lot of "sand" in your gutters or at the bottom of your downspouts, your shingles are reaching the end of their lifespan.
- Flashing issues: Check the metal bits around your chimney and vents. If they look loose or rusted, that’s a prime spot for a leak.
Inside the house, take a quick trip up to the attic. Look for any dark spots on the underside of the roof deck or any signs of moisture. Catching a small leak now is a lot cheaper than replacing a whole ceiling later this summer.
4. Clear the Gutters and Downspouts
I know, cleaning gutters isn't anyone's idea of a fun Saturday, but it is essential. Over the winter, gutters get filled with grit, small twigs, and sometimes ice dams that can bend the brackets.
Make sure your gutters are still firmly attached to the house. If they are sagging, they won't drain properly. Check the downspouts to ensure they are clear of debris and that the extensions are carrying water at least three to four feet away from your foundation. If you need new hangers, extensions, or even a completely new gutter system, come see us. We’re more than just a hardware store near me; we carry the heavy-duty building materials that local contractors trust.
5. Windows and Doors: The Seal Test
Winter is when you really notice a drafty window, but spring is when you should fix it. Open and close every window to make sure they haven't been "pinned" shut by shifting frames or old paint.
Check the weatherstripping on your exterior doors. If it’s flattened, torn, or missing, you’re losing energy. Inspect the thresholds for cracks where water might seep in. If your doors took a beating from the snow and salt, it might be time to look at our selection of interior and exterior doors to find something more durable and energy-efficient.
6. Decks, Fences, and Outdoor Structures
Before you put the patio furniture out, give your deck a good once-over. Check for:
- Popped nails or screws: The frost can push these right out of the wood.
- Soft spots: Use a screwdriver to gently probe any dark spots in the wood. If it feels soft or spongy, you’ve got rot.
- Wobbly railings: Safety first! Make sure your railings survived the weight of the snowbanks.
Check your fences too. Frost heave can push fence posts out of alignment, making gates hard to close. Often, a quick adjustment or a new hinge is all you need to get things working again. You can find everything you need in our decks and railings section.
Why Do This Now?
It’s easy to put these chores off until "it gets warmer," but in our part of the country, "warmer" usually means "rainier." April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring basement floods and mold if your home isn't sealed up. Taking a couple of hours this weekend to walk around your property can save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.
At Johnston's Building Materials and Smith Lumber, we’ve been helping our neighbors in Fort Covington and Brushton maintain their homes for years. We know the specific challenges of our climate, and we stock the products that actually work here.
Stay Connected and Get Prepared
If your "Recon Mission" turns up a list of repairs, don't sweat it. We’re here to help you figure out what you need.
- Need a quote? Contact us today.
- New to the area? Learn about us and why we’ve been the go-to home improvement store for generations.
- Want to see what others think? Check out our customer testimonials.
Enjoy the sunshine this weekend, folks. It’s been a long winter, and we’ve earned a little bit of nice weather: even if we have to spend it checking our gutters. Stop by and see us if you need anything at all!