February in Truckee and Tahoe Donner is when winter wear-and-tear starts to show. Snow piles get heavier, freeze-thaw cycles get more aggressive, and small issues can turn into expensive repairs if they go unnoticed.

The good news: you can catch most mid-winter problems with a simple, 60-minute exterior walkaround.

Grab a flashlight, put on boots with traction, and use this checklist to spot trouble early, protect your home, and plan any services you may need before the next big storm.

Before you start: quick safety notes

• Walk slowly; assume shaded areas are icy.
• Don’t climb on the roof.
• If you see heavy snow load, sagging, or anything that feels unsafe, stop and call a professional.

Step 1 (10 minutes): Driveway access and snow berms

What to look for:

• Berms at the driveway entrance are hardening into ice.
• Narrowing drive lanes makes it difficult for vehicles to pass.
• Sloped areas that are turning into slick runouts.

Why it matters: Driveway access is your winter lifeline. If you can’t get in, emergency services, deliveries, and even your own vehicle may not be able to get in, either.

When to call a pro: If berms are too dense to break up safely, or you’re losing usable driveway width after each storm, it’s time to schedule driveway-only snow removal.

Step 2 (10 minutes): Roofline, eaves, and icicles

Stand back and scan your roofline.

What to look for:

• Large icicles (especially over entries, decks, and walkways).
• Uneven snow melt patterns (some areas bare, others loaded).
• Signs of ice dams: thick ice at the eaves, or water staining near the fascia.

Why it matters: Icicles and ice dams can signal heat loss and refreezing at the roof edge. They’re also a safety hazard when they fall.

When to call a pro: If you’re seeing repeated heavy icicle formation, visible ice buildup at the eaves, or any sagging snow load concerns, get professional guidance. (Do not try to chip ice off from a ladder.)

Step 3 (10 minutes): Vents, meters, and exhaust points

Walk the perimeter of the home and locate key exterior points.

What to look for:

• Dryer vents, bathroom vents, and furnace exhausts that are buried or blocked.
• Gas meters surrounded by snow.
• Any warm-air exhaust creating localized ice.

Why it matters: Blocked vents can create indoor air quality issues, appliance performance problems, and safety risks.

When to call a pro: If you can’t safely clear around vents and meters, or you’re not sure what you’re looking at, call for help.

Step 4 (10 minutes): Decks, stairs, railings, and landings

Decks and stairs take a beating in Truckee winters.

What to look for:

• Loose railings, wobbling posts, or shifting stair treads.
• Soft spots, lifted boards, or popped fasteners.
• Areas where snow sits and refreezes repeatedly.

Why it matters: A small deck issue in February can become a major repair project by spring, especially with ongoing moisture and freeze-thaw movement.

When to call a pro: If anything feels unstable, or you see wood movement and fastener failure, it’s a good time to plan deck repair or exterior renovation work.

Step 5 (10 minutes): Trees, limbs, and defensible space trouble spots

Look up, then look around.

What to look for:

• Heavy, snow-loaded branches overhanging the driveway, roof, or deck.
• Cracked limbs, leaning trees, or fresh splits.
• Windfall debris that could become a hazard in the next storm.

Why it matters: Tree failures are one of the most common causes of winter property damage in the Truckee-Tahoe region.

When to call a pro: If a limb could hit your home, block your driveway, or threaten power lines, schedule tree service. If you’re already thinking ahead to spring, this is also a smart time to plan defensible space work.

Step 6 (10 minutes): Paint, stain, and exterior surfaces

Mid-winter is a great time to spot where your home’s protective finishes are failing.

What to look for:

• Peeling paint, flaking stain, or exposed bare wood.
• Darkened areas that look waterlogged.
• High-wear zones: south-facing walls, trim edges, railings, and doors.

Why it matters: Paint and stain aren’t just cosmetic in the mountains; they’re protection. When finishes fail, moisture gets in, and freeze-thaw cycles do the rest.

When to call a pro: If you’re seeing widespread peeling, bare wood, or repeated moisture staining, it’s time to plan interior and exterior paint and stain work for the first available weather window.

Your February takeaway: spot it now, fix it before it grows

This 60-minute walkaround isn’t about perfection; it’s about catching the issues that cost the most when they’re ignored.

If you found any red flags and want a quote, Elements Mountain Company is Truckee’s longest-standing mountain service provider. We offer pay-for-service help with:

• Driveway snow removal
• Defensible space and tree service
• Interior and exterior renovation, including deck repair
• Interior and exterior paint and stain