Home Maintenance to Tackle for Spring

• Neighborhoods and News
• March 27, 2018

We all know the term “spring cleaning”, but it’s also important to keep up with some outside maintenance to ensure the safety of your home.

Examine Shingles

Check your roof for any lost or damaged shingles from the winter. Summer sun can damage shingles further, so any cracked, buckled, loose, or ones with missing granules need to be replaced. If you have an older roof covering, consider budgeting for a replacement.

Check Gutters

Check your gutters for any loose or leaky spots. When your gutters drain improperly, it could lead to water in your basement or crawl space which could lead to mold. Also, adjust your spouts so they are draining away from the foundation.

Fill Foundation with Compacted Soil

Low areas in your tard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil to avoid water puddling from spring rains. Flooding can mean foundation flooding and damage. Not only that, but when water pools in low areas, it can create a breeding ground for unwanted insects.

Inspect the Concrete

Inspect your concrete for any signs of cracks or concrete movement from the winter. Check all exterior slabs because they should be draining away from the foundation. To fill the cracks, power wash and then seal with concrete filler.

Check Outside Faucets

After a cold winter, you want to make sure there was no freeze damage to your outside faucets. Turn the water on and place your finger or thumb on the opening. If you can stop the flow, that means the pipe is damaged and will need to be replaced. While checking the faucet, check the hose for any dry rot.

Service AC Unit

To ensure the best operation of your AC unit, you should have a professional come to clean and service the outside unit. Clean coils mean better operation, and of course regularly changing the filters will help ensure the units operation through the summer.

Check Power Equipment

Check all your gas- and battery-operated lawn equipment to make sure you’re ready to go for the summer. Clean off any debris and sharpen blades so you can maintain your lawn without worrying about the functioning parts down the road.