The Pre-Winter Exterior Checklist: What to Inspect Before Cold Weather Hits

Winter in the North Valley is mild compared to most of the country, and that is exactly why exterior upkeep gets skipped here. The desert still brings winter rain, wind, and the occasional freezing night, especially at the higher elevations around Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Hills, and Anthem. A slow walk around the house in the fall catches the small problems while they are still small.

Here is the checklist I give homeowners.

Roof. From the ground, look for cracked, slipped, or missing tiles. On a flat or foam roof, look for ponding areas, cracks in the coating, and debris. Check the flashing around vents, skylights, and chimneys. If anything looks off, have a licensed roofer take a closer look. Stay off the roof yourself.

Gutters, scuppers, and drains. Clear out leaves and seed pods so water has a path off the roof. A clogged scupper on a flat roof holds water where you do not want it.

Drainage at the ground. Soil and rock should slope away from the foundation. Watch where water goes during the next rain and fix any spot where it pools against the house.

Stucco and paint. Seal hairline cracks and touch up bare spots. Check wood trim, fascia, and garage door trim for peeling paint or soft areas.

Windows and doors. Look at the caulk around frames and the weatherstripping at each exterior door. Sun dries these out over the summer. Replacing them keeps water out and helps your heating keep up.

Exposed plumbing. Wrap exposed pipes, hose bibs, and the irrigation backflow preventer before the first freezing night. Disconnect hoses when a freeze is expected. If you have a pool, confirm the freeze protection setting on the equipment works.

Irrigation. Plants need less water in the cool season. Reset the timer, then run each zone and look for leaks and broken heads.

Trees. Trim branches that touch or hang over the roof. Winter wind turns a weak limb into a roof repair.

Heating. Have the system serviced and change the filter before you need it, not on the first cold night.

Lighting. Days are shorter. Replace burned-out exterior bulbs and check that timers and sensors still work.

Write down what you find, with photos and dates. If you sell later, a record of steady upkeep answers a lot of buyer questions before they are asked. Deferred maintenance tends to show up in an inspection report, and it is cheaper to handle on your own schedule.

For anything beyond basic upkeep, hire a licensed contractor.

See what your home could sell for: https://www.previewarizonahomes.com/?utm_source=blog_pah&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=daily

Jon Hegreness, REALTOR / Associate Broker, Howe Realty
(623) 826-0888 / JonHegreness@gmail.com / License BR540940000
9059 W Lake Pleasant Pkwy, B-200, Peoria, AZ 85382
previewarizonahomes.com