Observation: Any crack or heaving of side walls or floor slab? Take note and have repaired in summer.

Observation: Any heaving or toppling of side retaining walls of garage access? Thing to do: See the wall section of this site for what and how to repair and protect to avoid future deterioration.

Observation: Have the grates/drains in front of the garage door heaved during the winter? Thing to do: See the section on heaving and depressed areas on this site.

Observation: Has the middle of the garage door sill heaved? What to do: See the same section about winter heaving, the causes and protection.

Observation: Is the driveway still intact? Is there breakage of asphalt/concrete/cobblestones. Is it depressed or bumpy? Thing to do: The ground needs to be warm and have settled from winter freezing before repairs.

Observation: Is there any water puddles on the driveway, sidewalks and pathways? Thing to do: Take care in warmer weather and in the meantime see the section on protection from water.

Observation: Where the water lies on the ground and against the foundation. Where it is the most soggy. Thing to do: Add top soil or sod at the lowest points to fill-up the depressed areas.

Observation: Has the soil depressed along the foundation or under the down spouts from the eves? Thing to do: See this site section about the importance of keeping the runoffs away from foundations.

Observation: Any new cracks in the foundation? Observe if there is a cutting edge to the crack if felt and gently touched? Is the inside of the crack clean/unsoiled concrete which would indicate a new crack developing during this past winter. Thing to do: See this site section on cracks and there causes.

Observation: Any basement window damage? Any deterioration of the window wells? Thing to do: Repair the frames and mainly raise the soil around the window wells.

Observation: Are the posts and fences still vertical and the gates still functional? Thing to do: Take note and repair in warmer weather.

Observation: Some post or fences may have to be replaced. Does the fence need stain or a metal primer/rust proffer and a protective coat of epoxy or special latex paint? Thing to do: Refresh in warmer weather.

Observation: Any loosening of wall material? Thing to do: Have repair when the walls are warm.

Observation: Any new un-repaired crack that has developed during the winter? Thing to do: Check on this site section about cracks, causes and repair.

Observation: Has the stucco/mortar on the foundation scaled off the concrete foundation. Thing to do: Have repaired in warmer weather and see this site section about cracks.

Observation: Has the protective stucco scaled off only where it touches the ground? What to do: See the section about keeping water away from foundations.

Observation: Is there whitening of the wall by efflorescence on any part of the wall or mainly under the window sills? Use CLR products (Calcium, Lime and Rust removal product) or vinegar, (that has a PH of 3) to remove the calcium or lime. See: the Walls section.

Observation: Windows need to be cleaned. Thing to do: Clean windows and doors.

Observation: Caulking around the windows has split opened or dried. Thing to do: Remove the chipped caulking and replace.

Observation: Is the garage doors still closing properly with no undue effort on the mechanics? Are the seals intact? Thing to do: Standing in the dark of the garage, observe if there is any light ray appearing at the edges. Check mainly the bottom seal of the door and the thigh closing at the top. The door may have to be adjusted.

Observation: Any shingle missing on the roof? Thing to do: If a section of roof is missing, call the roofer for immediate repair. If only one or two shingles are missing. What to do: Repair when it is warmer. The shingles are more flexible in warm weather.

Observation:

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