Your Spring Home To-Do List

While it may not be your first choice to spend your weekend pulling leaves out of your gutter or making repairs, now is the time to look for any damage to your home from the winter and begin to prep for the spring and summer. Your home is a big investment, meaning maintaining it is a must. It can be daunting to take on a long list of chores and repairs, but there's no need to feel overwhelmed. By keeping on top of the small stuff, you'll be able to save time and money in the long run. Tackle these spring home maintenance jobs early so you - and your home - can enjoy the change of seasons with minimal stress.

Inspect the Exterior

Walk around the outside of your house and through your yard. Check to see if there are any cracks in the concrete or damage to asphalt. Your exterior paint may need a touch up if your come across any spots that are peeling or chipping, as it protects your shingles from water damage and rot.

Check Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters early in the season will help protect your roof, siding, and foundation. Clogged gutters can cause a roof to leak, water to infiltrate your house, and can even cause wood trim at the eaves of your roof to rot. If your downspouts were installed properly, water would be diverted away from your house so that water wouldn't collect around your foundation. If this is not the case, make sure to check for any signs of damage.

Repair the Roof

Start with a simple visual inspection of your roof. This can be done without actually getting on the roof of your home. Try using binoculars or a camera with a telephoto feature. Make sure to look for any missing shingles and metal pipes that are damaged or missing. Heavy snowfall, winter storms, and fallen debris can take quite a toll on your roof, so you'll want to make sure you catch any signs of damage before the condition of your roof worsens.

Spring Cleaning

Start by cleaning the grime off of glass windows and doors for a lighter, brighter home and increased curb appeal outdoors. Spring is also a good time to give your house a good scrub and wash all of the winter away. Grit stuck to the facade of your home can damage paint and masonry over time. Wait for a warm, dry day and get to work on cleaning siding, masonry, or other exterior areas. Chances are your deck or patio also has a layer of winter grime across it. Sweep it clean. Inspect your deck, looking for signs of cracked wood and loose nails. Pull out any leaves or debris from between the boards, then clean it thoroughly. Now is also a good time to begin raking up any remaining leaves that survived the winter as well as laying down mulch in your flowerbeds and beneath the hedges. A thin layer of mulch will protect plants from drought and keep weeds at bay. Make sure you also turn your outside faucets back on to check for any damage.

Clean and Inspect Your Air Conditioner

For homes with central heat and air, call your HVAC technician to schedule the system's biannual checkup and servicing. A technician should check the ductwork for signs of damage, and clean and service the furnace and A/C compressor. Also, don't forget to change your air filters at least once each season.

When tackling your spring to-do list, you may come across some home repairs too large to tackle on your own, possibly from severe winds or a winter storm. Home damage and the resulting Insurance claims are a fact of homeownership. If this is the case, you'll need a construction contractor that fully understands the insurance process. Learn more about Northern Craft Construction's experience with restoration and repairs and how our trustworthy team can make your home better than new again.