Spring 2017 arrived on March 20th and after a winter of winds, snow and ice wreaking havoc on your home, your property likely needs some maintenance. With your busy schedule, what’s essential and where do you begin the process? Start with this basic checklist.
1. Roof Repair
Did a leak form in your roof during winter? There’s a very strong chance that shingles fell off or were damaged due to the weather, especially if your property has an older roof covering. Perhaps the problem started back in summer but, because of winter ice and snow, has surfaced in the spring.
With this project, you or a professional should check out the roof for cracked, buckled or loose shingles or missing granules. For a comprehensive job, also be sure to also check the flashing around any vents, skylights and chimneys.
Speaking of the chimney, make sure to examine its full exterior for signs of damage and have its flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
2. Gutter Maintenance
Gutter cleaning is a springtime job that many people dread, but all gutters should be cleaned. Have all leaves, dirt and debris removed, as well as ice and snow, which can dislodge a gutter and prevent proper draining. Otherwise, a loose or leaking gutter could be dumping water into the basement or crawlspace.
3. Check the Concrete
Ice also wreaks havoc on concrete, so examine it for any cracks or signs of movement. If you see any, repair them with a filler or silicone caulk. If the material looks dirty, consider having it power washed first before you do any sealing.
Much like your gutters, concrete slabs must drain away from the home’s foundation. At this point, test to see where any running water drains from the concrete before considering greater repairs.
4. Look at Your Faucets
Faucets can experience ice and cold weather damage, especially if they’re located outside the home. Test how well the water flows by placing your thumb and finger over the opening. If you can stop it, an internal pipe is probably damaged and will need to be replaced.
5. Maintain the Air Conditioning Unit
You’ve just spent the winter season heating your home, but now it’s time to think ahead to cooling it. When the seasons change, have an HVAC technician come by to clean and service the outside unit and have any filters replaced. This way, your air conditioning unit functions more efficiently, lowering your cooling bills through fall.
6. Add Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a year-around solution for controlling energy costs. If you had not made this improvement at the start of winter, try it for spring. In winter, weatherstripping helps keep warm air inside the house and prevents cold air from entering through cracks around windows and doors, thus reducing the amount of heat and energy used. For spring and summer this works in reverse, keeping cool air inside and preventing you from cranking up the air conditioner.
7. Check the Siding
Just like your roofing, siding also gets blasted by wind and sees its fair share of snow and ice. This time of year, it’s recommended that you scan your home’s perimeter for damaged or torn siding. However, even if you don’t have standard wood or vinyl siding, your brick or stucco can still deteriorate, especially if water froze in a crack and expanded. Thus, still make it a priority to give your home’s exterior a once-over for any potential damage.
Home improvements and regular maintenance are part of owning property. Find a custom home that fits your needs in one of By Carrier’s many communities. To learn more or schedule a property tour, contact us today.
