Spring Exterior Checklist for Northern Cincinnati Homes

Each spring, check five things on the outside of your house: the roof, the gutters and downspouts, the siding, the foundation and grading, and the seals around windows and doors. Winter freeze-thaw cycles, ice, and snow do their damage quietly. Spring is when it shows, and when small fixes are still cheap.

This checklist covers what to look for and when to call a professional.

Roof inspection

Start from the ground with binoculars. Walk around the house and look at each roof slope. Do not climb on the roof.

Look for:

• Missing, cracked, or curled shingles
• Shingle granules in the gutters or at the bottom of downspouts
• Damaged or lifted flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
• Sagging along the roofline
• Moss or algae, often on shady slopes

In the attic, look for daylight through the roof deck, water stains on the underside of the sheathing, damp or flattened insulation, and signs of animals.

If you see any of these, schedule a roof inspection. It is easier to fix a small problem before summer storms add to it. Shamrock Restoration provides roofing inspection and repair across northern Cincinnati.

Gutters and downspouts

Winter debris, ice, and leftover fall leaves can leave gutters clogged or bent right before the rainy season. At the Cincinnati airport, April, May, and June are the wettest months, with 4.53, 4.67, and 4.75 inches of normal precipitation (NOAA 1991-2020 monthly normals).

Clean all gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves, twigs, shingle grit, and standing water. Run a hose through each downspout to make sure water flows freely.

Look for damage. Check for gutters pulling away from the fascia, sagging sections, leaking seams, and dented or crushed downspouts. Ice can bend hangers and twist gutters out of shape.

Check where the water goes. Downspout extensions should carry water several feet from the foundation. Make sure splash blocks and underground drain lines are clear and in place.

If gutters are sagging or pulling loose, see our gutter installation and repair page.

Siding and exterior walls

Walk around your home slowly and look at each wall up close.

Vinyl siding: Check for cracks, holes, warping, and loose panels. Winter wind can pop panels loose at corners and along the bottom edge.

Wood siding: Look for peeling or bubbling paint, soft spots (press with a screwdriver), split boards, and gaps at joints. Moisture that got in over winter can start rot once it warms up.

Fiber cement: Look for hairline cracks, chipped edges, and failed caulk around trim and windows.

All siding types: Check the bottom edge where the siding meets the foundation. Keep soil and mulch pulled back from the siding. The model residential code (2021 IRC R317.1) calls for decay-resistant wood when wood siding is closer than 6 inches to the ground. Your siding maker's instructions list the clearance for your product. Mulch or soil piled against siding holds moisture and invites insects.

If you find damaged or soft siding, see our siding repair and replacement page.

Foundation and grading

Walk the perimeter and check the ground around the foundation. Soil should slope away from the house on all sides. Winter settling and erosion can flatten or reverse that slope, so water runs toward the foundation instead of away from it.

Check for cracks. Small hairline cracks in poured concrete are common. Have a professional look at horizontal cracks, stair-step cracks in block walls, and cracks that are wide or getting wider.

Test your sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump turns on, runs, and shuts off. If you have a battery backup, check the battery's date and the maker's replacement guidance. Spring storms can knock out power, and a dead backup battery can mean a wet basement.

Windows, doors, and deck ledger

Check caulk and weatherstripping around exterior windows and doors. Temperature swings crack caulk and pull it loose. Replace failed sealant before the spring rains.

Open and close every window. Make sure each one works smoothly, locks, and seals when closed. Clear the weep holes at the bottom of window frames.

If you have a deck, look at the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house. This joint is a common place for water to get into the wall.

When to call a professional

Handle what you are comfortable with. Call a professional if you see roof damage beyond a few missing shingles, gutters that sag or pull away from the fascia, soft spots in siding or framing, large or growing foundation cracks, or a sump pump that does not run right.

Spring checks catch many problems while they are still small repairs. If you want a second set of eyes, schedule a free inspection of your roof, gutters, and siding.

Related guides

For the highest-risk exterior items, read our gutter installation guide, our guide to siding repair or replacement in Cincinnati, and when to schedule a post-storm roof inspection.