Annual Spring Maintenance For Your Home

The exterior of your home has just gone through winter and is preparing for the summer heat.  Here are some suggestions that should be done every spring to help in the maintenance and up keep of your home.

Check the exterior drainage. Will rain water flow away from the house? Puddles should not stand around your home for more than 24 hours. If water stays, or moves toward your foundation, check your gutters. It could be a bad spout or a loose connection there; they may also just need cleaning.

Clean out gutters. They’ve likely accumulated leaves from the fall and grime/sediment from the winter snows and/or rains.

Inspect the exterior of your home. Is any paint chipping? Is any siding damaged from winter? Are there any holes in your brick? Take a close look all around your house, and make any repairs as needed. Also be sure to check the foundation for any cracks. A good silicone/caulk can fix a lot of your problems.

Get your air conditioning system ready for summer; consider having it serviced.This one really depends on your individual home. Some homes just use window air units, while other homes use Central AC. Central AC is a more complex system so having it serviced by a professional annually will save money and headaches down the road.

Repair/replace damaged window screens. You don’t want bugs making their way in because you missed a hole in a window screen.

Clear dead plants/shrubs from the house. This could double as a gardening tip, but if you didn’t trim trees or shrubs in the fall, do so now. Plants can weasel their way into cracks and holes on the exterior of your home, causing damage and shortened longevity. Nip that in the bud before it’s an issue. If you have decorative vines on the exterior, pay close attention.

Check trees for interference with electric lines. Have professionally trimmed if necessary.

Inspect roofing for damage, leaks, etc. Repair as needed; you may need a professional.