6 Signs That El Niño Will Make (or Break) Your Home's Value This Winter

Deferred maintenance takes away your home value 10 fold, turning any value-added upgrades into folly.  

With a State of Emergency already declared and wet and wild El Niño winter all but inevitable, now's the time to protect your home's value and take an inventory of these 6 things:

An Old Roof

• Patch and repair any areas you already know are questionable

• If you are unsure of the condition and/or age of your roof: Get a roof inspection

We recommend Daddario Roofing for inspections and repairs.

Dirty Gutters

• Clean your gutters — clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of roof and fascia damage

• Install downspout extenders to pull water away from the house and avoid foundation and subarea damage 

Ready for new gutters? Look into larger downspouts that leaves can pass through easily.

Untrimmed Trees

• Trim dead or leaning branches that could snap and fall in high winds

• Cut back branches touching or overhanging the roof — they scrape shingles and dump extra debris into your gutters with every storm

Neglecting routine tree maintenance can turn a beautiful landscape asset into an expensive liability. 

Leaky Windows

• Check window seals and caulking for gaps

• Look for water stains, soft drywall, or a musty smell near window frames — early signs that moisture is already getting in.

Mold hidden inside walls around windows is a hidden problem that most homeowners don’t find out about until it is too late.

Poor Drainage

• Walk your property and make sure water has somewhere to go — all water should flow away from your house, not toward it.

• Check that drains, swales, and culverts are clear of leaves and debris

Poor drainage is the top cause of flooding, foundation, siding and subarea damage.

Weathered Exterior Elements

• Inspect siding, window trim, and facia. Pull soil away from siding. Patch, paint and replace any rotten wood.

• Fences and Decks — replace or reenforce weak posts and boards

Compromised wood acts like a sponge, soaks up moisture and damage escalates quickly.