The tulip and daffodils are blooming, your windows are open, your winter coats/boots are put away, and you are ready to start your spring cleaning & organizing…..well don’t forget it is also time for spring home maintenance!
Your home is one of your largest investments and to protect that investment it is important to conduct a seasonal inspection of your property. Home maintenance is extremely important and can prevent expensive problems in the future. People often forget that homes are a system and if any part of the system is clogged or broke your home will not function properly. Nothing is maintenance free!!
The following items should be on your spring home maintenance checklist:
- Check Your Roof – Look for damaged or missing shingles, any signs of bent flashing (i.e. snow melting and casing ice damns can bend flashing and cause places for future leaks), signs of rusting, check all vents to be sure they are on secure and not missing, look for any signs of leaking, etc. If you are uncomfortable on a ladder call a professional to assess the roof.
- Clean Your Gutters – Having your gutters and downspouts cleaned early in the season can also help prevent damage from spring rains. All gutters and downspouts should be clean and running free.
- Check Your Downspout Extensions – Make sure all downspout extensions are still connected so water will flow away from your foundation.
- Inspect Your Concrete – Freezing and thawing are rough on concrete, asphalt and other hardscape materials. Take a walk around your property and look at all your hard surfaces. Make sure any concrete slabs have not settled in toward your home. It is extremely important to maintain a positive pitch away from your home’s foundation. If any patio, driveway, or porch slab has settled toward the foundation you need to get a professional to your home to correct it immediately. This may require mud jacking or even installation of new concrete. Also, look for any cracks and fill them with concrete filler.
- Check Your Outside Faucets – Inspect hose faucets for freeze damage, especially if you forgot to disconnect your hose from the outside faucet before winter hit. You can do this by placing a finger over the opening and turning on the water. If doing this stops the water flow, the pipe may be damaged. Call a professional to inspect your pipes and determine if they need replacing.
- Inspect your Air Conditioning Unit – Remove any debris from around the cooling unit. Spring is also an ideal time to schedule a professional HVAC tune-up.
- Repair and Reseal Any Exterior Wood – Check your decking, fencing, railings, trellises, trim around windows, etc. and look for signs of water stains, discoloration, warping, rusty or loose nails, rotting or lifting boards, bugs, etc. It is extremely important to keep wood sealed sop rot and decay do not occur.
Inspect Your Windows and Doors – Check for cracks or holes and repair as necessary. Use a screen repair kit to fix any holes or tears in screens so bugs cannot sneak through. Open all your windows and check to be sure they are functioning properly. Wipe down the windows and sills. On the exterior, make sure all your window and door openings are still properly caulked.
- Inspect the Landscaping Around Your Home – Clear all your landscaping debris and check for any settling around the foundation of the house. Again, it is extremely important to maintain a positive pitch away from the foundation of your home. If any settling has occurred around the foundation, fill it in to get that positive pitch. Spring rains can cause flooding and foundation damage if the water is directed toward the basement foundation. Also, check your vegetation and look for overgrowth and trim it back. Fill in any damage from snow plows, low spots or holes in your yard.
- Inspect Your Sprinkler System – Turn on your sprinkler system and check if the system is working properly. Look for leaks or broken sprinkler heads. Adjust them so they spray the grass rather than the house, sidewalks or porches.
- Inspect the Basement and Attic – Check the walls and floors for water stains, mold and leaks. Remove unwanted moisture that can lead to mold issues or serious water damage. If you see anything, call a professional to help you assess the situation and correct it immediately.
- Clean the Furnace – Spring is a good time to have your furnace inspected and tuned up. It has worked hard all winter long, so make sure you also install a new clean filter.
- Perform Routine Home Safety Checks – Change all the batteries in your smoke detectors, make sure you have a working fire extinguisher, check all your bathroom exhaust fans, check your dryer vent and clean it out.
David & Goliath Builders is the #1 Team in Home Building & Remodeling. Creating CUSTOM homes and living spaces since 1985, David & Goliath Builders has built and remodeled over 600 homes. To learn more, contact David & Goliath Builders today!
