Get Ready for Spring Cleaning with These Home Maintenance Tips
It’s almost that time of year again-time to clean out that messy hallway closet and dust every nook and cranny in your home. Spring cleaning is a great time to get rid of all the accumulated dust your home may have gathered over the winter season. However, the indoors shouldn’t be the only place that gets a clean sweep. Here are some key home maintenance tips to get your outdoor space ready for the hot summer months.
Roof
Heat from the sun can cause damage to your roof shingles during the summer season. Schedule an inspection every few years with a roof contractor during spring to make sure your roof doesn’t need repair. A contractor can check the flashing around skylights, plumbing vents, and chimney. You can also check the chimney exterior for potential damages as well as clean the chimney flue.
Most homeowners can’t see roof damage from the ground level. However, do your best to look for the following problems to help you determine when you should call a roofing contractor:
- Shingles that start to buckle, blister, or curl
- Loose materials around pipes or chimneys
- Excessive shingle granules in gutters
You can also check your interior walls and ceilings for signs of water damage. Talk with a roofing contractor to discuss levels of insulation as well as treatment options for damages.
Gutters
Gutters that have started to loosen or leak may lead to water damage in the basement. Clean out leaves and debris from the gutter to ensure that water drains away from your foundation. Once you have cleaned the gutters, double check to make sure they’re still securely attached to the roof and haven’t developed leaks from excess water.
Deck
Check your patio deck for warped, stained, or discolored wood. These damages, as well as sharp edges, rotten wood, and splintered wood are signs of weakened seal application.
If you see any of damage to your deck, consider hiring a professional to reseal the wood. You can also pour water on the deck to see if the water beads. This process will help you find out if the previous application is still waterproof. If it is, you can most likely wait until the next spring to reseal your deck.
You should also make sure that there aren’t any rusty or missing nails on your deck. Poor connections may cause insecure and wobbly railings and stairs. Exposed nails can pose a hazard to feet.
Soil
Spring is the time of year to prepare your yard for gardening. Rake leftover winter debris, such as leaves, to make way for your garden. Use a hoe to loosen and churn soil and then mix compost into the dirt for nutrients. If you plan to plant new seeds, follow the directions provided on the back of the seed packet for specific instructions on how to best prepare the soil.
Foundation
After the rainy season in California-between October and March-you should make sure the moisture hasn’t ruined your foundation. If rain enters your home’s foundation through cracks, it could cause severe water damage. Inspect around your house for imperfections or cracks. If you find any, call a contractor for proper treatment.
You can also identify low areas that may cause water to pool during heavy rains. Level these areas with compacted soil. Otherwise, these puddles can cause more mosquitoes to breed in your lawn or further damage your foundation, so it’s important to fill these areas as soon as possible.
Windows and Doors
Heavy rain could also cause damage to windows and doors. Examine these areas throughout your home to make sure you seal all cracks. This will help you conserve energy and save money because your air conditioner won’t have to cool down warm air seeping into your home from outside.
Now that you know the basics to outdoor spring cleaning, get started and always rely on a professional to handle technical repairs and maintenance.