Spring Maintenance Checklist

Yay! We finally made it to Spring after a long hard winter.  So now that the weather is better, what do we need to do around the house to keep it in tip top shape?

Here is a helpful list to guide you through the process:

Exterior maintenance:

1. Check the roof.

If you’re comfortable on a ladder, inspect your roof from up high. Look for damaged or missing shingles and signs of rusting, cracking or leaking. If you find issues, call a professional to assess the damage.

2. Clean out the gutters.

Clear all leaves and debris out of the gutters and downspouts. If they’re sagging, reattach the gutters, or replace them with new hardware. Use caulking to seal holes and prevent leaking. Make sure downspouts face away from the foundation of your home for proper draining.

3. Inspect the concrete.

Take a walk around your property to look for cracking in the driveway, walkways or pool deck. You can fill cracks with concrete filler or silicone caulk, but if the concrete is severely damaged, you may want to replace it entirely.

4. Check outside faucets.

Inspect hose faucets for freeze damage by turning on the water and placing a finger over the opening. If that stops the water flow, the pipe may be damaged. Call a professional to inspect your pipes and determine if they need replacing.

5. Inspect the air conditioning unit.

Remove debris from around the cooling unit, and change the filters. Spring is also the ideal time to schedule a professional HVAC tune-up.

6. Give the deck some attention.

Check the deck for signs of water stains, discoloration and warping. Look for rusty or loose nails, and make sure the railings and stairs are safely secured. Replace rotting or lifting boards.

7. Repair and reseal woodwork.

In addition to the deck, you’ll also want to focus on wooden fences, railings and trellises if you have them. It’s important to give these wood structures some TLC as they are prone to rot.

8. Run the sprinklers.

Turn your sprinklers on to check if the system is still working properly. Look for leaks or broken sprinkler heads. Adjust them so they spray the grass rather than the house, sidewalks or porches.

9. Inspect windows and doors.

Check for cracks or holes and repair as necessary. Use a screen repair kit to fix holes or tears that bugs can sneak through.

10. Spruce up landscaping.

Clear your landscaping of debris, trim overgrowth and plant fresh additions. HGTV recommends using compacted soil in low areas of your yard, as spring rains can cause flooding and foundation damage.

11. Look for termites.

If you see winged insects flying around firewood, decks, siding, etc. it could be termites. Contact a professional to be sure.  If you are checking for termites, get rid of standing water as well. You don’t want to be eaten alive once the mosquitos start buzzing around.

Interior maintenance:

1. Open the windows.

With the welcoming warmth of fresh spring breezes, you might be inclined to do this regardless. Opening the windows is also an effective way to naturally aerate your home and may improve air quality. Take this opportunity to wipe down the interior of the window sills as well as the windows themselves.

2. 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. This is also a good time to refresh your insulation by getting rid of decaying pieces and adding new insulation to help keep energy bills down.

3. Perform routine home safety checks.

Change the batteries in smoke detectors, make sure fire extinguishers are still intact with the needle in the green zone and check that exhaust fans are working properly. Replace anything that isn’t working immediately.

4. Clean the furnace.

The furnace worked overtime hard these last few months, so make sure you clean the filter system, blower and motor.  Don’t forget to vacuum out your vents as well.

If you are uncomfortable with performing any of these suggestions, please contact a professional for assistance.

www.maniesconstruction.com

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