Getting Your House Ready For Spring
Spring Is Here
Do you maintain your house on a regular basis?
Spring Arrives
The Spring Effect
Getting your house ready for spring is a very important part of house maintenance. It can add years to your house and save you a large future repair bill. Starting at the roof and working down will take some time. You might want to plan a couple of weekends for it. If possible, bring a couple of friends.
Looking At The Roof
On top of the roof you will want to look for missing shingles and cap pieces. You will need a hammer, small pry bar, roofing nails, and some plastic roof cement. To replace a missing shingle, you will have to carefully pry out the remaining piece under the overlapping shingle. Work the new shingle in place, nail and cover the nail heads good with plastic roof cement. While you have the cement out, go ahead and reseal around chimney and vent pipes. Anyplace you suspect might be leaking,seal it before water damage sets in.
Work The Gutter
Before spring rains begin, it is a good time to inspect the gutter on your house. Clean out dirt, leaves, pine needles, and whatever else has accumulated in them. Replace any missing hangers and make sure your downspouts are still attached firmly. If you have a type of strap hanger holding your gutter up, you might consider switching to hidden brackets. These are stronger and look better while holding your gutter on.
Checking The Soffit
Your facia boards and soffit sometimes take a beating during the winter. If your house has plain wood facia, spring is a good time to repaint them, or even consider covering them with aluminum. This should protect them better unless improperly installed. Then they could become a problem. Water could get in behind them and produce rot that you are unaware of. This could also produce a hidden source of mold. During winter storms soffit pieces can be blown out and these need to be replaced.
Vinyl Siding
If you have vinyl siding, you might have to do some repairs during the spring. The cold winter makes the siding contract and could possibly come lose at the corners and other areas. You might even have to replace pieces. Vinyl siding is also a great spot for green mold to grow on. This needs to be cleaned off at least once a year, depending on the growth rate.
Clear The Foundation Of Dampness
Your foundation needs to be inspected for cracks due to the house shifting from the ground freezing and thawing. These can be repaired with a type of mortar mix. Make sure it is worked deep into the cracks. Open your foundation vents to let air circulate and keep your crawl space dry. Moisture can lead to rot and termite damage. Look for termite runs and crawl under the house to check the floor joists. Catching termites early can save you a lot of money.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Spring is also a good time to give your house an overall cleaning. Wash all the windows in and out. Clean out the dryer lint trap as this can be a fire hazard. Install new filters on the air conditioner units. You get the idea. A little work every year will keep your house in great shape and save you money on future repair bills. This will also increase the value of your home if you ever decide to sell.
