Published August 28, 2026
Winter hides its damage. The thaw reveals it, and the two-week window right after snowmelt is the cheapest time to catch everything.
Roof and attic
- Look for missing, lifted, or creased shingles from winter wind
- Check the eaves for ice dam evidence: stained soffits, peeling paint, damaged gutters
- In the attic: water staining on the sheathing, damp or compressed insulation along the edges, and any mold odor
- Inspect flashing at chimneys and walls where ice worked at it
- Note whether snow melted unevenly on your roof — that tells you exactly where heat is escaping
Gutters and drainage
- Clear the trough and confirm every downspout discharges 4-6 feet from the foundation
- Check for gutters pulled loose by ice weight — this is extremely common
- Watch during the first real rain: where does water pond against the house?
- Confirm grade still slopes away from the foundation; frost heave changes it every year
Foundation and basement
- Walk the perimeter for new cracks, especially horizontal ones or anything wider than a quarter inch
- Check the basement floor and walls for efflorescence (white mineral bloom) or damp lines
- Test the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit
- Look for soil pulled away from the foundation — a direct path for water
Hardscape and driveway
- Note heaved or settled slabs and pavers, and any new trip edges
- Look for spalling — surface flaking from de-icer and freeze-thaw
- Check retaining walls for bulging, leaning, or blocks that shifted
- Check fence posts that lifted or racked
Trees
- Look for broken or hanging limbs left from ice and wind
- Check for cracks at branch unions and any new lean
- Inspect for rodent girdling at the base under where snow sat
- Note soil heaving on one side of a root plate — that is a failing tree
Exterior walls
- Press for soft spots on siding and trim near grade
- Check caulk joints at windows and doors that opened over the winter
- Look for peeling paint, the first sign of trapped moisture
Priority order
Fix in this sequence: active water intrusion, structural movement, drainage, then cosmetic. Water is what turns a $400 problem into a $9,000 one, and it always starts with drainage.
Want a second set of eyes? We do spring walkthroughs and give you a written punch list with photos — no obligation to hire us for the work.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I inspect after the snow melts in Minnesota?
Roof and attic for ice dam damage, gutters and downspout discharge, foundation for new cracks, hardscape for heaving and spalling, trees for broken limbs and lean, and siding for soft spots near grade.
How do I know if I had an ice dam this winter?
Look for stained soffits, peeling paint at the eaves, damaged or pulled-away gutters, and damp or compressed attic insulation along the roof edge.
What spring damage should I fix first?
Active water intrusion first, then structural movement, then drainage, then cosmetic items. Drainage problems are what turn small repairs into major ones.