Winter’s thaw is often the time of year we look forward to but it can also present worries and head scratching thanks to the amount of damage inflicted on our homes and properties during cold-weather months.

The impact of water freezing and thawing, sub-zero temperatures and strong winter winds can be substantial and result in breaks to your foundation, walls and sidewalks, pock-marked and crumbling driveways and torn or missing roof shingles.

Whether you choose to call in a contractor, handyman or simply do-it-yourself, the damage should be addressed as it will only get worse with the ravages of summer’s heat.

Start with your driveway. That winter-long two-step of freezing and thawing creates expansion and contraction in your driveway which causes bigger cracks and holes and more of them.

Before resealing, prepare your driveway by filling in the cracks. Clean out the loose bits of asphalt and debris that’s fallen into the cracks. Try to find crack filler that’s eco-friendly and low on volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Your next step is to seal your driveway and again you’ll want to use a green product. Traditionally, driveways and parking lots have been sealed with a coal-tar based sealant. But these sealers, which contain high levels of a harmful carcinogenic compound known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), are believed to pollute our ground water.  Some areas have begun banning the use of coal tar asphalt products and some home building supply stores have stopped selling them altogether.

Instead, look for asphalt based, water based or acrylic sealers. These are much kinder on the environment. If your drive is made of concrete, consider sealers that are epoxy or linseed-oil based.

Water from snow, ice or rain can leak into your home in many, often seemingly mysterious, ways. If you find cracks on outside walls, joints and on your foundation, seal them up.  While you’re at it, look to close up other breaks including those openings that allow your television cable and telephone lines into your home.

A flash winter thaw or April showers can bring wet basements. Be sure that downspouts direct water well away from your home’s foundation. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves, dirt and other debris. Ensure proper grading around your home. Vines should be kept off all exterior walls, because they can help open cracks in the siding, which allows moisture or insects to enter the house.

Keep the roof of your home in a state of good repair as well to prevent leaks from above into the house that could cause major damage. Make sure water pipes are protected by caulking and see to it that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather stripping to prevent snowmelt from seeping in. Be sure to check windows and doors for leaks, too.

In the event of a flood or sewer back-up, there’s no peace-of-mind quite like insurance coverage. Typically, insurance for water damage depends on where you live and your home’s construction. Many plans include coverage for certain types of water damage such as a sewer back-up, while protection for other types of damage such as flooding may need to be purchased as extra. If that’s a concern be sure to check your policy.

The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) provide a Greenbroker and Greenagent certification program to Realtors across Canada. To get more information or to sign up for a course, visit www.nagab.org. Elden Freeman M.E.S., AGB, broker is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization. 1-877-524-9494 Email elden@nagab.org.