Your house is constantly in need of maintenance inside and out. You can always hire a maid service like King of Maids for your inside spring cleaning. In our opinion, you should give the outside of your house an initial spring inspection. By giving your home an annual check-up, you can avoid a lot of costly repairs. Furthermore, it also helps your house run more efficiently.
Below is a checklist of what to look for and how to maintain each of these items.
Before we get to this list, let’s discuss the best time you should give your home its annual checkup. Springtime is typically the best time to inspect your house. In the north, the last snowfall is typically right around Mother’s Day. In the south, we would move this date up to March/April.
There is no doubt winter can be hard on a home from the roof to the foundation. Spring is the best time to get out and inspect the damage. Going through this list will help your home run efficiently in every season. It also gets it ready for the next winter.
Let’s start from the top down!
Roof
Make sure you use all safety precautions when getting on your roof. This includes a well-built ladder. You should also use a buddy system. Try to work with your neighbor where you can both inspect each other’s roofs together. I recommend using a harness system you can buy at your local hardware store.
First, look for missing or damaged shingles or tiles. Inspect the sealant around the vents, chimney, and roof-mounted hardware. Also, check around the flashing and skylights.
If you think there is severe damage, have a professional inspect it. Also, contact your insurance company to see what your policy will cover.
You should be able to fix minor damages like a few missing or torn shingles, cracked sealant. If handy work is not your forte, then it is best to hire a professional.
Gutters
It is best to clean your gutters before you inspect them. This way you won’t have any debris in the way and you can see them better. Cleaning them also helps divert water away from your house. Experts recommend you direct water six feet away from the foundation. Never direct water towards your driveway.
Remove debris and leaves prior to inspecting your gutter system for cracks and holes. Make sure you pay close attention to the joints. These can be the culprit for your leaks. Your local hardware store usually has all the replacement items needed to repair your gutter system. These items will be the gutter, joints, end caps, brackets. and downspouts. You will also need sealant and cement. Get patches for larger holes.
Try to pick a warmer spring day so cement and sealant spread easier. Before making repairs, make sure everything is dry. Sealant/Caulk works best on dry surfaces. Pick a day where there is no rain in the forecast.
Windows
Windows are one of the most expensive items to replace in your home. Not inspecting your windows can lead to wood rot allowing water to enter the frame of your home. This can also lead to mold.
When inspecting windows look for signs of rot, cracked window sash, gaps in the window casing and signs of moisture in the glass
Re-paint all wooden surfaces which will help protect them from the harsh elements. Scrape off all loose and chipping paint before painting. Be careful not to paint over moving parts of the window. You don’t want to paint them and not be able to open them up again. Fill gaps in the window casing with latex caulk.
Moisture inside the panes of windows is a sign the seal has broken. For this reason, you will need a professional company to fix or replace the window.
Siding
If your home has a brick siding, inspect it for loose bricks and cracked mortar. Major cracks should be inspected by a professional to make sure your home doesn’t have a major foundation issue. Replace any damaged bricks. Re-mortar cracks to make sure no water leaks into the frame of your home.
Vinyl and aluminum siding should be inspected for cracks and holes. You should also inspect for waves and ripples in it. You want to make sure siding is tightly fastened, but able to breathe. Damaged caulk should be scrapped out and replaced with the proper colored caulk. Cracks and holes can be repaired with vinyl spackling. This is for minor cracks and holes. You should replace the siding if it is severely damaged.
Inspect wood siding for rot, cracks and chipped paint. Scrape away all loose paint with a paint scraper. Fill in any holes or cracks with wood filler. Sand and clean before painting to make sure you have a proper seal.
In addition, consider a good pressure wash on all brick and siding to keep your home clean of debris, mildew, and mold.
Foundations
Finally, give your foundation a thorough inspection. You are looking for cracks that have developed as your home settles. Addressing these cracks quickly can prevent major issues with your home’s foundation. We recommend you contact a professional to discuss any foundation crack. A professional can help you assess where and why the crack is happening.
Above all, your home is an expensive investment. Inspecting and repairing your home each spring will allow you to keep and even increase the equity in your home. It can also help reduce costly repairs.
If you need a professional, Friendly Windows has a great reputation for excellent work. Our services include Windows, Roofing, and Re-molding. Call us today or visit us on the web for a free no-obligation, no-pressure quote.
