Spring Home Maintenance Tasks
Nothing feels better than being outside after a long winter cooped up indoors. Even household chores, when done outside, feel refreshing. Check these simple maintenance jobs off your to-do list and you can be on your way to a trouble-free summer.
Clean Gutters
Check the bottoms of your gutters for any loose granules that could indicate your asphalt roof may need to be replaced. If you find dirt debris in the downspout gooseneck, flush it out with a hose. Put the hose into the downspout as far as you can to push the rubbish out of the gooseneck bends. Check to be sure your downspouts move water at least five feet from the walls of your foundation to prevent pooling and damage to your home.
Inspect Your Roof
Climb that ladder and look for curled and missing shingles, rusted or pitted flashing, or cracked caulk around your pipe collars, skylights, or vents. If you find issues, call a roofing professional to make the repairs in the safest way possible
Repair Paint
To protect outdoor wooden surfaces and maintain paint jobs, scrape off chipped or peeling paint and spot-paint the exposed surfaces. Pressure wash the exterior of your home and deck, looking for any chips once you’re done. Make painting any exposed wood a priority, as exposed wood is susceptible to rot.
Trim Overgrowth
To help discourage squirrels, mice, and other rodents from attempting to set up camp in your home, trim the branches of trees and shrubs away from your house. Get an early start before leaves begin to regrow and while you can still see individual branches. Trim branches 5 to 7 feet away from your house to prevent moisture from gathering on your roof and siding after spring rains.
Check Foundation Vents
If your home has a crawl space, it will have vents along the foundation walls. They provide air circulation and reduce excess moisture, preventing mold growth. These vents have screens to help keep animals out, but they can become places for leaves, twigs, and other debris to collect. Use a shop vacuum to clear the vents, checking for damage. Repair any torn screens, as rats can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter, and mice can get into holes that are barely bigger than the diameter of a pencil.
Keeping your home in good repair is hard work, but by putting in a few hours at the beginning of spring, you can save yourself lots of time and money down the road. Confronting these tasks when the weather gets warm will allow you to have a relaxing summer enjoying your home.