Spring Home Maintenance Simplified
We know, we know, there's still snow on the ground. And, here in Bozeman, spring may not roll around until May, but it rest assured, it will arrive. For your home, spring activities should include more than just cleaning. With spring in our near(ish) future, here’s a guide to the areas of your house that need to be checked or serviced before the spring weather hits.
Outside
Grab a ladder and some binoculars, and let’s go outside. Don’t worry; this won’t take long.
Your Gutters
Check for leaves or other debris that might clog your gutters and downspouts. If you find any gutters that have come loose, reattach them.
Your Roof
While you’re up there, check out your roof. Winter weather can be very rough on your roof. Check that the shingles haven’t shifted and that none of the nails have started to pop up. This lifted nail can actually push up and shingle and allow water to get beneath it. You don’t want this.
After you check out your roof, come down to the ground and look at it. Sometimes, we can’t see issues up close, but we can find them when we get distance.
Your Chimney
If you have a chimney, you’ll want to take a good look at it. You’re looking for any loose or missing stones or bricks. Also, you want to ensure no vegetation is growing out of your structure. Look for any white, calcium-like deposits; these mean that your masonry is absorbing water instead of repelling it.
Your Siding and Exterior Walls
Check for water stains. These indicate a problem with your water drainage. Also, you should clean your siding to prevent mildew growth.
Look for hole or gaps to ensure that no little creatures have decided to cohabitate with you. If you do find some, it’s important to handle the situation as quickly as possible. In some cases, you may want to consult with exterminators before sealing the hole.
As you inspect your home, you may find old caulk that’s coming off. You will want to remove it completely, clean the area, and apply a new bead of caulk.
Your Foundation
When you look at your foundation, you’re looking for cracks. Unfortunately, if you find cracks, you’ll want to call in the experts. Cracks in your foundation are no joke, and this job is one that’s best done by a professional.
Your Windows
As you look at your windows, look for old caulk. If the caulk looks like it’s peeling or not doing it’s job (like there’s a gap), just peel it off and start over. It’s better to get this fixed now than it is to have rain leak into your house. Plus, by creating a better seal around your window, your house will do a better job keeping the warm air in during the winter and the cold air in during the summer.
Also, don’t forget to wash your windows both inside and out. Avoid using a power washer to clean your exterior windows because the pressure can damage the window screens.
Inside
Now that the outside portion of the inspection is complete, let’s go inside. Yes, you’ll want to grab your cleaning supplies and get cleaning but, before you do, there are some things you need to look for.Leaks
From your basement to your attic, walk around and look for leaks. These could be around windows or toward the bottom of a wall. Make a note to re-inspect the outside of your house near these areas to see if you can determine the cause. If you can’t, call for help!
Now, check out anything in your house that involves plumbing and look for leaks. Faucets, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters all need to be checked for leaks and sweaty pipes.
Mold
As you’re looking for leaks, you should also keep your eyes open for mold. Frequently, the two accompany each other so it’s easy to find. However, if there previously was a leak, mold might still be growing in that spot even if there is no additional water.
Animals
While you’re in your basement or up in your attic, check around for any bugs or animals. If you do find some, call an exterminator.
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