Spring Cleaning & Home Maintenance Checklist
Springtime is here again, and with the warmer weather now is the perfect time to take care of some home maintenance so that the little things don't turn into larger problems later on down the road. Here are some things that will help you make sure your home is ready for summer.
Take Care of Dead Trees or Limbs
If any of your trees didn't make it through the harsh winter, you'll want to remove them from your property. Be sure to check your surviving trees as well, to remove any dead branches. If any of the branches on your trees broke off during one of the heavy snowstorms, you may want to have a professional come take a look to help prevent any further damage to the tree from the break.
Grading Issues
No, we're not back in school. We're talking about grading, as in the level of your yard. With all of the on-and-off-again snow this year, it's possible that the grade of your yard may have changed. Make sure your law slopes away from your home rather than toward it--this will help prevent flooding and potential damage to the foundation. You may need to have a landscaper build up additional soil and grass.
Focus on Your Lawn
All of the snow of the past few months can mean bad news for your grass. One place to pay special attention to is the curb area between the sidewalk and the street, where shoveled and plowed snow tends to accumulate. Those piles of snow can lead to snow mold, a fungus that causes grass to appear matted and flat. This is generally an easy thing to take care of that involves some raking and warm weather.
You’ll also want to examine that area for rocks from the road and for salt damage. If you find any rocks, remove them and lay down some extra grass seed any place where salt may have killed the grass. If you notice any patches where the grass may be looking a bit thin, it may be a good idea to lay some seed down there as well.
Windows and Doors
Does the temperature inside your home feel like it doesn't match what your thermostat is set to? This is often a problem caused by weather sealing around your doors and windows having shrunk. Luckily it is easy to replace the weather stripping around your doors and windows, and the results should help keep drafts out. It should also help you save money on your air conditioning bills once the summer hits, and you can feel good about doing some "green".
Cleaning the Gutters
Nobody enjoys this chore, but it's one that has to be done. If your gutters and downspouts have collected twigs, leaves or any other debris, you'll want to clear those. Aside from blocking the flow of water, which can cause all sorts of issues like leaks, this debris can be a fire hazard as well. If you notice that any of your gutters have gotten loose or sprung leaks, you'll want to look into replacing them or tightening them down.Cracks in your Driveway
It's better to take care of these types of problems as soon as they appear, as small cracks can grow bigger over time. If you notice any small cosmetic issues, you may be able to get away with resealing your driveway. Resealing your driveway every few years can help extend it's life so you won't have to deal with bigger issues later on.
Foundation Problems
Typical Colorado weather tends to give us large fluctuations in temperature. This can lead to cracks in concrete,which can then cause additional settling. It's a good idea to inspect your foundation from both the inside and outside of your home for any visible cracks. Small cracks may not be a major problem, but keep an eye on them--if they begin to grow it's a good idea to call a home inspector or other professional to determine if there is a serious issue.
Missing Shingles or a Damaged Roof
It's a good idea to take a look at your ceiling and/or attic space to see if you may have a potential issue with your roof. You’ll also want to assess the exterior roof as well. Generally you don't have to climb up onto your roof (that can be dangerous!), but normally all that is needed is a visual inspection from the ground. If you'd like to take a closer look you can use a ladder to examine the roof, but you don't need to actually get off the ladder. Essentially, you will be looking for any shingles that appear to be missing or damage. Pay particular attention to flashing, which seals the joints between the roof and chimney or vents.
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