Old Man Winter can take its toll on your home, especially in the northeast. Now’s the time to run through our checklist so your home and surrounding spaces are ready for summer fun.
Inside
It’s easy to think that springtime home maintenance is only for outdoor projects. There are two indoor tasks, though, you shouldn’t overlook.
-
Let the sunshine in. Window cleaning is an easily overlooked spring task. But after months of short days, you want your windows and screens to be squeaky clean so you can soak in every drop of sun. Make sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner on the glass. For screens, take them off and clean them with a mild detergent. Don’t make a rookie mistake and power wash! That’s a sure way to damage the mesh.
-
Care for your caulking. Severe cold followed by milder temps causes your house to expand and contract. These moves are imperceptible to your eyes but could result in cracked caulking around windows. With summer and higher temperatures coming, take care of recaulking now to keep all that cool air inside when it's time to turn on your AC.
Outside
Keeping your home in tip-top shape protects its value and can prevent the need for costly repairs. A post-winter look-see will help you spot and take care of small problems before they turn into big ones.
-
Inspect your home’s dome. Even newer roofs can suffer from a harsh winter. With keen eyesight and maybe a pair of binoculars, you should be able to note things like shifted shingles and popped nails. If you see issues, contact a professional. Although we often encourage DIY as a smart way to save money, repairing a roof is one job that’s often best left to the pros.
-
Take a gander at your gutters. This is another inspection you can do with a stroll around your house. Loose gutters are easy to spot. To check for leaks, run some water through the gutters and keep an eye out for any drips. Leaves, dirt, and other debris can clog up gutters even after you cleaned them during fall maintenance, so consider another clear-out session.
-
Check out your chimney. Flashing can come loose over the course of a winter. Inspect your chimney for other signs of damage like cracks or missing mortar. As for the interior, here’s another instance where we recommend going with a pro. Chimney sweeping is more involved than most people realize.
-
Eye up your siding. Where you focus your inspection depends on the type of siding you have. Wood? Look for any areas that have rotted over the winter. Vinyl? Check around the seams for where it might be pulling away from the house. Brick? Look for cracks in the mortar or bricks that seem to be coming out of place.
Although we’ve covered the highlights of spring maintenance, there are a host of other to-dos to get your home and outdoor space ready for a summer of fun. Things like sprucing up your deck or patio area, getting your grill up and running, and inspecting your AC unit should all be part of your annual routine when it’s time to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.
Get Rewarded for Your Home Maintenance Costs
We’ve got you covered when it comes to paying for maintenance items, large and small. Our Founder’s Rewards Card is perfect for DIY shopping and smaller payments to pros. No matter the size of the project, consider tapping into your home's equity with our affordable Home Equity Line of Credit option.
