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Spring Maintenance…It’s Here

By March 23, 2016November 7th, 2022No Comments

 

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After a long, dark winter, spring’s bright sun and warm winds are, well, a breath of fresh air. The only downside? All that sunshine spotlights your leaf-filled gutters, cracked sidewalks and the dead plants in last year’s flower beds. Below is a checklist to help you target the areas that need maintenance so you can get your chores done quickly, leaving you time to go outside and play in the sunshine.

  1. Gutters & Downspouts: Remove leaves & debris from gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that has been pulled away from the house. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.
  2. Examine Roof Shingles: Examine roof shingles to see if any shingles were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
  3. Siding: Clean siding with a pressure waster to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering or chipped paint. Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.
  4. Exterior Caulking: Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorated. Scrape out the old and re-caulk as needed.
  5. Foundation: Check foundation walls, floors, concrete and masonry for cracking. If a significant number of bricks are losing mortar, call a professional.
  6. Move Firewood: Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure.
  7. Check Outside Faucets: Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you’re at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.
  8. Service your AC Unit: Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters on a regular basis
  9. Check Power Equipment: Check your gas and battery powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yard work much easier.
  10. Landscape: Cut back & trip all overgrown vegetation at least 18″ away from all structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home’s paint, which may require repainting. A little trimming can save a lot of time.
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