Your home’s exterior takes a beating over the winter. Ice, snow, wind, and cold temperatures can damage your home’s roof, siding, and foundation. Spring is an excellent time to examine your home’s exterior and make minor repairs. Use these spring home maintenance tips to prepare for the months ahead.
10 Home Maintenance Tasks to Tackle This SpringÂ
1. Check and Clean Your Gutters
In winter, gutters often accumulate a pile of sticks and debris that can lead to blockages. Prepare for spring rains by ensuring your gutters are free of debris. Also, check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water entering your basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from your foundation and are clear of debris.
2. Inspect Your Roof
Using binoculars, examine your shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof, you may want to start budgeting for a replacement. The intense summer sun can damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled, loose, or missing granules should be replaced. A qualified roofer should check and repair flashing around plumbing vents, skylights, and chimneys.
3. Check Your Attic
Search for signs of insects, pests, mold, and moisture. Proper insulation and good ventilation will deter mold growth in your attic, so take action now to prevent the problem from developing in the warmer months ahead. If you notice any signs of pest infiltration, contact a professional pest control company for assistance.
4. Trim Back Overhanging Branches
Spring is the perfect time to cut back trees and shrubs. Remove any tree branches covering your roofing system to allow sunlight to dry your roof and prevent debris from accumulating. Overhanging branches are often used by pests such as squirrels and raccoons to access your roof and attic, so cut back any trees or shrubs near your home. For higher tree limbs, hire a professional tree trimming company to take care of them safely.
5. Look for Leaks
The most common type of residential water damage isn’t caused by hurricanes or floods. It’s caused by faulty plumbing or appliances. Spring is an excellent time to check toilets, sinks, water heaters, and washing machines for small leaks. Check your basement and utility rooms closely. Look up at your ceilings for telltale water stains. Replace anything that appears to be worn or loose. Switching out old rubber washing machine hoses for stainless steel versions is an excellent way to prevent a burst hose from causing expensive water damage.
6. Check Your Sump Pump
Spring in the Midwest often brings heavy rain. Check your sump pump to make sure it’s operating correctly. You don’t want to wait until a major rainstorm to discover your pump’s motor is shot. If possible, install a battery backup to ensure your sump pump continues to work in the event of a power failure.
7. Schedule Your HVAC Inspection
Hire a qualified heating and cooling contractor to clean and service your air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual spring service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change your interior filters regularly. If your filters are clogged, air can’t pass through them properly, and your unit has to work harder to cool your home. Dirty filters also lead to lower air quality in your home.
8. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Test and replace batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the spring and fall. Read “A Smoke Alarm Saved My Life” to learn where and how to install these life-saving devices. You may also want to consider so-called “smart detectors” that can be linked throughout your home and give voice alerts, not just alarms. For information about the best smart alarms, read this review from Wirecutter.Â
9. Replace Worn Weatherstripping
In addition to your HVAC inspection, there are other ways to prepare for summer weather. Check the weather stripping around windows and doors. Replace any cracked or missing weather stripping or caulk to keep cool air in and prevent hot, humid air from entering your home.
10. Establish a Family Emergency Plan
In addition to following these home maintenance tips, spring is also a great time to review or establish your family emergency plan. Everyone must know how to evacuate quickly and safely, whether it’s a fire, tornado, flooding, or another emergency. Make sure your children know when and how to call 911 services. Have an emergency kit fully stocked with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, snacks, and a first aid kit.
Hire a Professional Roof Inspector
Following these spring home maintenance tips is a great way to prepare for the hot summer weather ahead. Another good idea is to schedule a professional roof inspection. Having your roof inspected by a professional is the best way to ensure minor problems are caught early and corrected before they result in costly repairs or a complete replacement. Regardless of your climate, roof type, or the age of your home, a thorough roof inspection should be done at least once a year. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends scheduling inspections twice yearly as part of your home maintenance routine.
Call a Trusted Local Roofing Company
Since 1999, Brian Dawson Roofing & Construction has installed residential and commercial roofing systems throughout the greater St. Louis region. Because all of our work is done under warranty and fully insured, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your new roof is dependable and long-lasting.
Contact us online or at (636) 733-6435 to schedule a free inspection and consultation. Our experienced professionals will arrive on time, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to detect leaks and other problems your roof may have. Our mission is to provide quality roofing services and top-notch customer service, all at a competitive price.