How to Perform a Spring Checkup on Your Eavestroughs, Fascia & Siding

Maybe we’re a little too excited about seeing the end of the chilling winter we’ve had here in and around Toronto this year, but the recent thaw got us thinking about any damage the freezing temperatures, snow and ice may have done to the eavestroughs, fascia and siding around a home.

Regardless of how severe it is, every winter puts a strain on your roof, eavestroughs, fascia and siding and, the sooner you check for damage in the spring, the longer they all will last.

For eavestroughs especially, winter can be tough mainly due to the ice dams that form right above them. There’s little or nothing else holding up all that heavy ice than your eavestroughs. And ice dams can also damage the fascia that your eaves are connected too.

Here are just a few things for you to check this spring to help maintain your siding, eaves troughs and fascia after the ravages of winter.

Eavestroughs

The first thing to look for is any sagging in the eavestrough as it runs along the side of your house. Sagging could indicate that the fasteners used to hold the troughs in place have come loose. As always, check for leaves and other debris in the troughs and clean them out. Not only can they add to the weight the troughs must support, but they could interfere with draining water from your roof.

Fascia

Hopefully the worst thing that’s wrong with your fascia is that it’s dirty due to all the debris that collected over the winter. But, if you did have ice dams, they could have dented or allowed moisture behind your fascia which may have caused more serious damage.

Vinyl Siding

Again, your siding may have suffered nothing worse than getting dirtier than usual and you can clean it with a sponge, brush, water and a mild detergent. But, considering we had some hail and high winds this year, you should take a closer look than normal to check for more serious damage.

If you do spot any damage to your eavestroughs, siding and fascia, you should have it repaired as soon as you can to avoid any further damage to your roofing system or home. Call us here at Chouinard Bros., we can help.