Winter is a rough time for many homeowners, as frigid temperatures settle in and inclement weather washes over everyone and everything. As those temperatures rise and the cold fronts move out, your home could be left with lasting damage that may be dangerous if left untreated and unnoticed. It’s important to inspect your outdoor wooden surfaces for such damage, and take note if you need deck and fence repair in the Roanoke area.
The Impact of Winter Temperatures on Wood
It may be fun to bundle up and venture out into the snow for a play day or go to winter events outside the home. However, you need to be aware of the impact winter can have on wood, such as winter damage to decks and fencing.
Contracting Wood
When we ice a swollen area, it’s with the intention to reduce the swelling; likewise, when temperatures drop to freezing, wooden decks or fences will contract. When the wood contracts, it may cause splitting or cracking in the boards, as well as instability in the posts holding the decking up or fence posts together.
Risks of Refreezing
More often, winter brings dry air and low temperatures, but we do experience moisture in the form of rain or snow. Moisture can get into the pores of the wood and refreeze, making it more brittle and causing wood rot to decks and fences throughout the remainder of winter into spring.
Signs of Wear
As a homeowner, you should be aware of the signs of wear and tear to all your outdoor furniture, especially wood, as it is most at risk of extreme damage. The more extreme the weather, the higher the chances of necessary home exterior repairs in spring.
Sagging Boards
As the weather warms up, investigate the boards along your fence and the floor of your decks, or any boards that are sagging and unsteady. You may only need to replace a few boards at a time, or replace the entire thing; sagging boards are a strong indicator of weak boards, and possibly trouble with other areas like deck posts.
Splitting Wood
The most obvious visual representation of winter damage is wood that is cracked or splitting (these can be large cracks down the middle, or multiple small ones along the entirety of it). A large part of deck or fence repair after winter stems from cracked boards that can break easily and cause injury if that happens.
Rusty Hardware
Winter air is notoriously drier than that of spring, but we do see plenty of moisture throughout the chilly months that can cause a headache for your home. Sometimes, these damages appear in the form of rusty nails or brackets that are less reliable, because they have become weak, which is an important part of deck and fence repair in Roanoke.
Mold or Mildew Buildup
Unfortunately, mold or mildew buildup goes beyond typical outdoor wood repairs, due to the porosity of the wood and spores spreading where you may not see them. This growth may lead to irreparable winter damage to decks and fences, which would result in full replacement when the weather clears.
The Best Deck and Fence Repair in Roanoke, VA
In short, it’s essential not to neglect your home’s exterior and perform routine inspections of your wooden services after winter has come and gone. Home repair is not always an easy project, and home exterior repairs require careful planning and proper knowledge. Work Smart Home Solutions is the team you need to guide you in your deck and fence repair in Roanoke, VA, and the surrounding areas.
