Is Your Home Ready for Another Ohio Winter? 7 Exterior Warning Signs to Check Now

Late summer and early fall are great times to enjoy the last stretches of warm weather in Ohio. They are also the ideal time to take a good look at the exterior of your home.

Small problems that are barely noticeable in September can become much bigger concerns once freezing temperatures, snow, ice and winter winds arrive. Before another Ohio winter sets in, here are seven warning signs worth checking around your home.

1. Drafts Around Windows and Doors
If you can feel outside air around a window or exterior door, don’t wait until January to investigate it.

Drafts can result from worn weatherstripping, deteriorated caulking, improper adjustment or installation issues. In older windows and doors, they may also indicate that the product itself is reaching the end of its useful life.

Not every draft requires replacement, but fall is a good time to determine where the problem is coming from.

2. Fog or Moisture Between Window Glass
Condensation on the inside surface of a window isn’t necessarily a window failure. Moisture or fogging between the panes of insulated glass, however, is another matter.

This usually indicates that the seal around the insulated glass unit has failed. Once that seal is compromised, the window loses some of its insulating performance.

While this issue does not necessarily mean the entire window needs to be replaced, it is definitely an area of concern. If the window is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, this glass unit issue could be covered as well. If the rest of the window is in good condition, we recommend contacting the manufacturer to inquire about warranty coverage.

3. Cracked, Loose or Damaged Siding
Walk around your home and look for siding that is cracked, loose, warped or missing.

Siding isn’t just decorative. It is part of the system that helps protect the structure underneath from Ohio’s wind, rain, snow and changing temperatures. Damaged areas should be investigated before winter weather makes the problem worse.

4. Roofing That Doesn’t Look Quite Right
You don’t need to climb onto your roof to perform a basic inspection. From the ground, look for missing, lifted or damaged shingles and areas that appear noticeably different from the surrounding roof.

Also pay attention to flashings and areas around roof penetrations (e.g., pipes and chimneys) that can be seen safely from the ground.

Fall is a much better time to identify a potential roofing issue than after water starts showing up inside your home.

5. Gutters That Aren’t Draining Properly
Central Ohio’s falling leaves can quickly fill gutters and downspouts.

Watch what happens during a good rain. Water spilling over the front of a gutter, leaking behind it or pooling near the house can indicate a problem.

Gutters and downspouts perform an important job: moving water away from areas where it can cause damage. Make sure they are clear, secure and directing water where it should go before freezing weather arrives.

6. A Garage Door That Isn’t Sealing Properly
Take a look around the perimeter of your garage door when it is closed. Can you see daylight underneath or around the sides?

A worn bottom seal or perimeter weatherseal can allow cold air, water, debris and even pests into the garage. You should also pay attention to unusual noises, jerky operation or a door that doesn’t appear to close evenly.

Those are good reasons to have the garage door inspected before winter.

7. Exterior Caulking That Is Cracked or Missing
Caulking around windows, doors and other exterior openings doesn’t last forever.

Over time, exposure to sunlight and changing temperatures can cause it to shrink, crack or separate. Those seemingly small gaps can provide pathways for air and moisture.
Fall is a good time to inspect these areas and determine what needs attention.

Don’t Wait for Winter to Find the Problem
Ohio weather puts the exterior of a home through a lot over the course of a year. The transition from summer to fall provides a valuable opportunity to find small problems before cold temperatures, snow and ice arrive.

Take 15 or 20 minutes and walk around your house. Look at your windows, doors, siding, roof, gutters and garage door. You may find nothing more than a few routine maintenance items or you may spot a problem that is much easier to address now than in the middle of winter.

Best Door & Window has been helping Central Ohio homeowners with exterior home improvement projects since 1994. If your fall inspection reveals something that needs more than routine maintenance, our team can help you evaluate your options and determine the appropriate next steps.