Between thunderstorms, hail, snow, ice, and heat, weather can cause significant damage to your historic property year round regardless of the season. In 2023 alone, the U.S. experienced 28 separate weather and climate disasters that created more than $92.9 billion in damages.
While some of the damage is clearly apparent after a weather event, normal wear and tear on the exterior of your historic property can be more difficult to identify. This is why routine inspections are key to identifying structural or aesthetic issues early before they turn into much larger problems down the road.
Summer is the ideal time to conduct inspections of your historic property for a number of reasons. Here, we’ll look at why summer is the right time to have your historic property inspected, and how scheduling your inspection now can help you ensure the strength, stability, and curb appeal of your property for years to come.
Easier to assess heat and humidity damage
Summer temperatures can cause a variety of damage to your historic property, from the siding to the foundation. Higher levels of humidity create the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow, which can have a potentially damaging effect on wooden fixtures, drywall, and siding. If there are any cracks in the exterior and water and/or mold finds its way inside, it can also have a serious effect on your health.
Heat also can cause soil to contract and settle unevenly, which can lead to movement and cracks in your property’s foundation and walls, as well as uneven floors and fixtures like windows and doors that no longer properly seal. Paint and siding are also vulnerable to damage from high heat and humidity, with paint potentially bubbling and chipping, and siding shrinking and cracking.
Historic masonry and historic carpentry are two common aspects of historic properties that can be impacted by heat and humidity damage. A thorough inspection can address and resolve any heat-related property damage before the cold winter months.
More thorough roof, gutters, and downspouts inspections
Hail, ice, snow, wind, and excessive heat and rain can wreak havoc on your roof, causing blistering, warping, missing tiles or slates, cracking and dented/damaged copper flashings. If they’re not properly addressed, water can be absorbed into those cracks, and when temperatures drop that water will freeze and expand, completely cracking the slates or tiles.
That damage can also lead to leaks, which could cause further damage to the interior of the property. A thorough roof inspection in summer can assess any damage so that it doesn’t become a bigger and more expensive problem in the winter.
For example, a severe hail storm damaged this historic residential property in the northern Illinois region, and a timely inspection revealed gutter and downspout damage that could have been problematic during the fall and winter months.
The gutters and downspouts on your property also need to be inspected to ensure they’re still in good condition, especially since spring storms and winter ice and snow can
cause damage and a buildup of other materials that may prevent proper drainage. If your gutters and downspouts can’t direct the water away from your property, you run the risk of damage to your foundation, landscaping, roof, siding, and even your property’s interior.
Better conditions for maintenance and repairs
One of the primary advantages of scheduling your property inspection during the summer is the favorable weather conditions. If repairs or restorations are needed, the longer days and warmer temperatures provide an ideal time to complete the job effectively and efficiently, without the risk of cold and freezing conditions that can complicate the project.
Plus, summer conditions can also help reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents, which can result in increased costs and delays in project completion. Our industry-leading safety program helps ensure a safe restoration environment regardless of weather conditions, but jumpstarting your restoration during the summer months can help enhance a safe restoration process.
Early detection saves on expensive emergency repairs
By having your property inspected and identifying any issues in the summer, you can address any repairs and restorations beforehand that would be more difficult — and expensive — to repair and replace in cold weather. Compared to complete restorations, repairs and maintenance are much more cost-effective, and many major issues can be avoided if you regularly have your property inspected.
Identifying potential issues early also saves time and stress, as it reduces the odds of having to pay for emergency repairs that require a lot of professional resources and money. For example, for something like a small leak or damaged gutter, in many cases the job can be quoted and even repaired by our team on the first visit.
At Renaissance Historic Exteriors, our Magellan Building Assessment (MBA) involves a comprehensive inspection of both the interior and exterior of your property by a historic building specialist. Our inspection and restoration teams are equipped to begin the restoration process now to help prepare your structure for the seasonal changes to come.
Proper assessment during the summer months can result in realistic scheduling and expectations. Projects of this historic nature, requiring highly skilled craftsmen, design, planning, and execution require additional time and planning to perform. Our Monarch Elite Process is a seven-part process that ensures a smooth transition between departments.
Schedule an inspection of your historic property today.
