Spring is finally in sight, but before getting too comfortable and basking in the warm weather, there are some home maintenance tasks you need to handle to get your home back in shape after winter.
Because the cold weather can take a toll, it’s important to take the time to inspect different areas of your home, assess any damage, and make the repairs required. Even if winter was mild in your region, you should do an annual check to make sure everything is in working order. After spring cleaning your home, check to see if there are any parts that are in need of spring maintenance.
14 Home Maintenance Guidelines to Follow This Spring
1. Roof Clean Up
With a keen eye or even binoculars, you can easily spot problems with the roof. Cracked or missing shingles must be replaced, and any shingle shift means you need to install new fasteners. Look for a build-up of pine needles and other debris in the valleys between the roof and peaks.
2. Check Exterior Walls
Whether you have wood siding, or brick, check for damaged areas, especially under eaves and near gutters. Leaves and pine needles typically gather in the gutter during winter. Water stains are common and indicate that your gutters are properly draining roof runoff. With wood, check for any damaged areas or openings that clear the way for ants, woodpeckers, and other pests.
3. Inspect The Chimney
If you have a masonry chimney, check out the joints between bricks or stones. Have any fallen out or is there vegetation growing there? Both are evidence of water infiltration. Efflorescence, a white calcium-like deposit, is another telltale sign of issues with the chimney.
4. Repair The Foundation
When checking poured concrete foundations, keep your eyes open for any cracks. If you find one, routine caulking won’t be enough. You will want to hire a foundation specialist to use a two-part epoxy injection system that will bond the cracks chemically.
5. Caulk Around The Windows
Any leakage around the windows will allow indoor air to escape, so be sure to check that any caulking and weather stripping you have in place has remained intact. If you have condensation inside glass on double or triple-glazed windows during the winter months, that could mean the weather seal is no longer effective, and the glass or window needs to be replaced.
6. Find Leaks
Spring is the perfect time to check for leaky taps, clogged drains, and sweating pipes. Check underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks to be sure that connection pipes are secured and sealed. Check for water stains around the bottom of the dishwasher and check washer maintenance hoses for cracks, dampness, or bulges.
7. Attend To The Attic
Check your attic for signs of insects and pests that may have colonised it. Search thoroughly for mould which often takes the form of grey or black blotches. Correct insulation and ventilation will deter mould growth in the attic. Take action now to prevent the issue from developing in the upcoming warmer months.
8. Inspect The Basement
Dampness found in the basement suggests a higher than normal level of humidity, inadequate ventilation, and the need for a dehumidifier. Check the base of the poured concrete walls for cracks and evidence of water penetration. If you happen to see tunnelling on the wood, then you should call pest control right away.
9. Clean Your Windows
Spring clean your windows inside and out with a commercial cleaner or a DIY window cleaner. Apply the cleaner with a squeegee or soft cloth. If window screens were on all winter, remove and clean them with a mild detergent. Lay them flat on a dry surface to air-dry them before putting them back onto the windows.
10. Scrub And Stain Your Deck Or Patio
Look out for warped, loose, or splintered boards, and do a good sweep to remove any leaves and debris that may have accumulated between the boards. If the finish on your wooden deck is faded or worn, now is the time to clean, stain, and reseal it. If you have composite decking, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on seasonal care.
11. Start Lawn Care
Rake the lawn to remove any branches, debris, and leaves that you might have missed in the winter. Make sure outdoor water systems pipes, faucets, and in-ground sprinkler systems are in working order. Take stock of your garden tools and lawn maintenance equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers, and hoses.
12. Rinse Your Patio Furniture
If you stored lawn furniture for the winter, bring it outside and give it a rinse with the hose or wash it with a mild detergent. For metal furniture, check for signs of rust or paint erosion – a simple home remedy with spray enamel will prevent further damage from sun, rain, and humidity in the future months.
13. Get The Braai Ready
If your braai or gas grill has remained idle over the winter months, check the burner jets for clogs and obstructions, and be sure that gas hoses and connections are secured. For braais or charcoal grill owners, make certain that your grill is clean of ash and free of grease residue. It’s a good habit to take up throughout the braai season, not only for spring.
14. Remember The Crevices
Spring is a good time to clean areas of the house that often go overlooked. Dust or vacuum your chair rails, window casings, top of wall-mounted cabinets, and ceiling fans. Launder or dry clean fabric draperies and use a damp cloth to clean your blinds. Vacuum fabric material furniture and mattresses, and clean the carpets too, even if that means hiring a carpet cleaner.
Conclusion
Winters are known for harsh weather, especially in areas with ice, snow, or rain. By taking care of the above mentioned issues before the beginning of spring, you will prevent further damage to your home. Get going and keep your home in the condition you’d like it to remain in.
