Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors for a little home maintenance and TLC – here’s where to start.
Spring is that magical time when flowers bloom, trees and plants comes to life, and humans emerge from their winter hibernation – ready to get reacquainted with Mother Nature and breathe some fresh air. It’s also a great time to tackle some outdoor home maintenance projects.
But where to start? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Top 10 Home Maintenance Checklist for spring.
Examine (and clean out) gutters. Check out your gutters and drainage system for loose or leaky gutters, and make any necessary repairs. If your roof doesn’t drain properly, it can lead to flooding or water damage in your basement or around your foundation. Also, make sure any winter debris is clear, and that all passageways are clog-free.
Inspect roof shingles. Take a close look at your roof shingles to make sure none have been lost or damaged during the winter months. If you know replacing an older roof is in your future, start a budget now in anticipation of the expense. Because summer months can be so brutal on shingles, make sure you replace or repair any shingles with cracks, buckles or missing granules. And don’t forget to check and repair any damaged flashing around chimneys, plumbing vents or skylights.
Don’t forget the chimney. Examine the exterior of your chimney for signs of erosion, cracking or other damage, and repair as needed. Also, for maximum safety, hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean the flue.
Check out your wood trim. Using a screwdriver, poke and prod wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks to check for rot, loose fittings or other damage. Make repairs now, before the spring rains have a chance to further damage your exposed wood.
Service the AC unit. Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of your air-conditioning system (we can help you with that). Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Also, don’t forget to change interior filters on a regular basis.
Apply compacted soil. If you have low areas in the yard – especially close to your house and next to thefoundation – fill and level them out with plenty of compacted soil. Because spring rains can cause yard flooding, low areas can lead to foundation flooding and costly damage. In addition, compacted soil can eliminate pools of standing water, which can serve as the perfect breeding ground for pesky insects.
Don’t forget your outside faucets. Check outside hose faucets for any winter damage caused by frozen water. The easiest way to do this is to turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water completely, you might have a damaged pipe inside the home that will need to be replaced. While you’re at it, check garden hoses for cracks, holes or dry rot.
Get your power equipment ready. Fire up your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure they are ready for summer use. Clean dirty equipment and sharpen cutting-blades – it’ll make yardwork so much easier. And if anything needs to be replaced, take advantage of spring retail sales and promotions.
Inspect concrete. Look closely at concrete slabs, patios and sidewalks for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home’s foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.
Relocate firewood. If you stored any firewood closer to your home over the winter months, remove or reposition it now. Firewood is attractive housing for rodents, bugs and other varmints, so the closer it is to your home, the easier it is for critters to find their way indoors. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground, at least 2 feet from any structure, and 30 feet from your house.
Call Now for AC Unit Service
We can help you with one of these spring home maintenance tips! Call us now to schedule an appointment at (317) 585-8981. We are happy to service your outdoor AC unit and make sure it’s functioning at peak performance now – and in the summer months ahead.
