East Tennessee winters aren't brutal compared to the Midwest, but the freeze-thaw cycles, wet winters, and occasional ice storms we get in Hamilton County are hard on homes. Every spring, small problems that started in winter reveal themselves — and catching them early is almost always cheaper than waiting.
Here's the checklist we walk through after every Hamilton County winter.
Exterior
Gutters and downspouts
Winter debris, roof grit, and seed pods clog gutters. A clogged gutter sends water directly down your foundation instead of away from it. Clean gutters in early spring before the spring rains hit. While you're up there, check that the gutters are still attached firmly to the fascia — ice weight can loosen hangers.
Also check downspout extensions. Each downspout should direct water at least 4 feet from the foundation.
Caulking around windows and doors
Walk every window and exterior door and press on the caulk bead with your finger. If it's cracked, peeling, or has gaps, water is getting in during rain. Replace it. A $6 tube of exterior caulk and 20 minutes per window is cheap insurance against rot and water intrusion.
Roof inspection (from the ground)
You don't need to get on the roof — walk around with binoculars or your phone's zoom camera. Look for:
- Missing or curling shingles
- Granule loss (dark patches where the granules have washed away)
- Lifted flashing around the chimney or any roof penetrations
- Sagging sections
If you see any of these, call a roofer before a small issue becomes a leak.
Deck and fence condition
Check for soft spots in deck boards by pressing firmly in several spots — soft wood indicates rot. Inspect where posts meet the ground (the most vulnerable spot) for any give or deterioration. Look at the ledger board where the deck attaches to the house — this joint is a common entry point for water.
For fences, check post bases and rail-to-post connections.
Interior
Under every sink
Open all cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks and actually look. Run the water and watch for drips. Check the supply lines — if they're older braided metal lines, they can fail without warning. Check the P-trap for any white mineral deposits around joints (a sign of a slow drip).
Water heater
Look at the base of the water heater for any rust staining or moisture. Check the pressure relief valve — it should operate freely and not be showing rust or mineral buildup. A water heater showing these signs that's more than 10 years old is living on borrowed time.
HVAC filter
This one gets skipped more than any other. A dirty filter makes your system work harder, raises your energy bill, and reduces air quality. Check monthly; replace every 1–3 months depending on pet hair and dust levels.
Smoke and CO detectors
Test every one. Replace any that don't respond. The recommended replacement interval for the full unit is 10 years.
Caulk around tubs, showers, and sinks
Inside bathrooms, press on the caulk bead where the tub meets the tile or surround. Gaps or cracking caulk allows water to get behind the wall — the number one cause of hidden water damage and eventual mold. Recaulking a tub takes about an hour and a $5 tube of tub-and-tile caulk.
The Ones to Call About
Some things on this list are solid DIY tasks. Others are worth calling in:
- Soft deck boards or ledger damage — structural safety matters
- Any window or door that's clearly moved from its original position
- Drywall cracks that reopen after you fill them — may indicate settling worth investigating
- Any moisture intrusion into walls or floors
Spring is our busiest season at Ark Handyman. If your checklist turns up more than you want to tackle yourself, give us a call — we're based right here in Ooltewah and can usually get on the schedule within a week or two.