Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Spring is upon us! While "spring cleaning" generally comes with an interior focus, giving some special attention to the exterior of your home after the winter months is just as important in terms of home maintenance. Here are a few items to check as we approach the warmer months.

Windows: Are any of your windows cracked? Is there any air leakage around the casing or joints? Are the screens in good repair? Do any of them need to be replaced before the upcoming mosquito and fly season.

Doors: How about the casing around your doors, too? Is there any air leakage? Is there a need to replace any glass or screen doors?

Decks and Porches: Do you have any wood decking which may need to be replaced or refinished? Are there any cracks in any paved or cemented areas which should be taken care of before they get worse?

Siding: Is there any chance that there is moisture building up behind your siding which could cause rotting or damage to your home? Take a peek yourself or hire an experienced handyman who knows how to check for you.

Water: Do you have any water seeping into your basement? Usually it's due to an exterior issue which may or may not be simple to resolve and it should be looked into immediately.

Gutters: Leaves from the Fall could be clogging up your rain gutters. If you can, get up on a ladder and clear them out. If a gutter gets clogged and fills with water it could come tumbling off your roof.

Air Conditioning Unit: Dirty filters make your air conditioner work harder, increasing energy costs and possibly damaging your equipment. Air conditioners draw moisture from interior air, called condensate, which must run off outside. If sediment and algae clog the drains, water may back up, making your home more humid or creating water damage. For about $75 to $200, a technician will tune up your cooling system to manufacturer-rated efficiency -- and you won’t sweat the first hot weekend with an out-of-commission air conditioner.

Remember preventative maintenance always saves you time, money, & energy in the long run!