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Exterior and structure

Look from the ground for changes that can let weather into the home

Missing roof material, loose flashing, damaged siding, open joints, staining, or movement around penetrations can let water reach walls and ceilings before a leak becomes obvious indoors.

Homeowner guidance with clear stop points

When it usually needs attention

Ongoing home-care habit

Observe after a material weather event or visible change and follow the roof, cladding, warranty, insurer, and professional inspection plan; no universal climb or repair interval is implied.

When this guide applies

Applies to every occupied home, with observation limited to the building areas assigned to the resident or owner.

What to do

From stable ground and from normal indoor rooms, compare dated photos after severe weather or a visible change, looking for missing or shifted material, open seams, staining, sagging, cracked finishes, loose trim, blocked openings, or new interior water marks.

Applies when: Applies to every occupied home, with observation limited to the building areas assigned to the resident or owner.

Who should handle it: Residents observe and report; roofs, exterior walls, flashing, shared structure, sealant selection, storm damage, and repair belong to the responsible owner, association, insurer, and qualified trade.

Tools

  • Phone camera with prior comparison photos
  • Binoculars from stable ground
  • Flashlight for an occupied-room ceiling or wall check

Parts and supplies

  • No repair material until the assembly, damage, warranty, and safe professional route are identified
  • Container only for a small clean-water drip safe to approach indoors

Safety gear

  • Weather-appropriate footwear for a ground-level walk
  • Avoid the area rather than relying on consumer PPE for falling material, contamination, or electrical danger

Before you start

  • Daylight and calm enough weather for a safe ground observation
  • Property responsibility and emergency reporting route known

Power, water, or fuel shutoffs

  • Keep away from overhead lines and wet electrical areas
  • Do not shut down shared systems or climb to reach an exterior defect

Cleaner or chemical limits

Do not pressure-wash, bleach, paint over, caulk, roof-cement, or degrease an unknown stain, crack, joint, siding, flashing, or roof defect before diagnosis and material compatibility review.

Stop and get help when

  • Never climb onto a roof, lean a ladder on gutters, walk under loose material, touch a downed line, enter a sagging or flooded area, or disturb suspect lead, asbestos, or animal contamination
  • Leave and seek urgent help for collapse signs, active electrical danger, major storm opening, or rapidly spreading water

Who to call: Use qualified roofing, building-envelope, siding, structural, electrical, moisture, or remediation service and the responsible owner or insurer for diagnosis and repair.

Reviewed sources