Let The Spring Cleaning Begin

Welcome to spring!

It’s been a long winter, and the weather has likely taken a toll on your home. Now is the perfect time to conduct a quick home inspection and repair any damage you may have picked up over the winter.

Here’s a handy checklist to get you started.

Checking Your Home’s Exterior

Which should you do first? Take care of indoor maintenance? Or outdoor maintenance?

Finding and fixing any issues on the outside of your home first will halt any further damage, which should make handling the inside of your home easier.

Most experts agree that taking a top-to-bottom approach works best.

• Inspect your roof—Check your roof for loose shingles, soft spots, or pooling water, then repair as necessary. If you don’t have a ladder you trust, try flying a camera-equipped drone up there for a look. You can also detect issues from the inside by checking your roof’s integrity from inside the attic. If you feel unsafe working on your roof, don’t hesitate to call a professional.
• Check your chimney – While you’re up there, examine your chimney for any signs of deterioration. You should consider calling them if you’ve not had a professional chimney service in for a cleaning and inspection in a while.
• Check and clean your gutters and downspouts—Before the rainy season kicks into full gear, make sure your gutters are free of debris and firmly in place. Similarly, ensure your downspouts are securely in place and pointing away from your home’s foundation.
• Inspect your foundation—Take a walk around your home and check your foundation for cracks or shifting. If you see issues, have these addressed as soon as possible.

Checking Your Home’s Interior

Many people like to take a bottom-up approach to cleaning the inside of their homes, beginning in the basement and working upward. That said, you may want to check your attic around the same time you check your roof’s exterior.

• Check basement—If your home has a basement, ensure it’s free of any water that may have come in during the winter. Also, check the foundation walls for cracks or other issues.
• Clean air filters and vents – Make springtime a time to replace air and furnace filters where applicable. This will help your HVAC run better and refresh the air circulating in your home.
• Check the dryer vent – Ensure your vents and hoses are clear of lint or other debris.
• Inspect dishwasher and washing machine hoses—Examine the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine for cracks or other signs of wear. Replace them as necessary.
• Clean refrigerator coils – Ensure the coils behind your refrigerator are clean and free of dust and other detritus. This will extend the life of your appliance.
• Examine windows and doors – Check your windows and doors to ensure the insulation is still in place, allowing air or water to pass through. This is also an excellent time to check window screens and repair or replace them as needed.
• Check the attic—If you haven’t already done so while examining your roof, check your attic for signs of water, wind, or any pests or outdoor critters who may have made it their winter home. Also, ensure your insulation is as it should be and that any vents are clear and undamaged.

Home Maintenance Is a Constant Need

Proper home maintenance is always important. Soon, you’ll also want to check your home’s siding or paint job. You may also want to see if your appliances are all in top condition or if any need replacement.

The list above should help ensure any damage you’ve picked up over the winter isn’t doing any further damage. Now you can enjoy the warmer spring weather with more ease.

If you run into any major issues around your house and need a professional maintenance team to help, give us a call! 704.535.1122