Spring is now in full effect, and hopefully that means you have been taking care of a bit of Spring Cleaning. Taking care of all the little tasks put off during the cold months can be a bit of a pain, but it also give you an opportunity to take stock in the condition of your home and note all of the potential issues you encounter. Taking care of these issues early can prevent costly and time-consuming projects.
When inspecting your home, keep these areas in mind:
- Using a screwdriver, go around and check the wood trim around doors, windows and decks. Plan on making repairs sooner rather then later to avoid further damage from spring showers.
- Take a look any concrete slabs surrounding your house, and make notes of any significant cracks or movement. Fill cracks with concrete crack filler or silicone caulk to avoid seeping in and possibly reach the foundation.
- Do your best to examine your roof for any missing or damaged shingles. Both the winter and the summer months can be brutal on roofs, so addressing any issues as soon as possible can prevent a major roof leak. If you can’t make a good judgment call from the ground, call a professional roofer to make an inspection for you. While he is at it, have him check the flashing around vents, chimneys and skylights.
- If your home has a chimney, have it professionally cleaned by a professional chimney sweep. He will also be able to identify damage and potential sources of failure.
- Checking the gutters is crucial. Go around the home and ensure that there is no debris blocking drainage and that there are no loose sections. After that, look at the downspouts to make sure that water is draining away from the foundation.