Tackle Your Spring Home Exterior Maintenance Project List
After a very long, cold and snowy winter, it looks as though spring has FINALLY decided to arrive here in Iowa and is going to stay awhile. Now is the time to get outdoors and think about tackling your spring home exterior maintenance project list.
Gutters:
Check for clogged, loose or leaky gutters. Clean out the leaves and other debris that have collected in them. Make sure that downspouts direct water away from the foundation, to prevent a potential basement flood. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space.
Roofing:
Check for possible damage to the roof. From the ground, examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during the winter. Look for missing, cracked or broken shingles and make note of any needed repairs. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked as well. The hot summer sun can quickly damage a roof’s shingles, so it is better to get anything fixed now before more damage occurs. You may want to call a contractor if you haven’t inspected your roof in several years, a qualified professional (like us!) will be able to take care of any roof repair work that needs to be done.
Windows and Doors:
Leakage around doors and windows will allow warm summer air in and let cooled indoor air escape, so be sure to check that any caulking and weather stripping you have in place has remained intact. Improper caulking allows for moisture to get inside you walls and cause mold. If you experienced condensation inside the glass on windows during the winter months, the weather seal has been compromised, and either the glass or the window will need to be replaced. This is also the perfect time to wash and clean all windows and replace torn or damaged screens as necessary.
Siding:
Take a walk around your house to assess the entire home exterior to see how the siding, brick or stone veneer has help up during the cold weather. You’ll want to check for loose materials, chipped paint, damage, and rot. Fix or replace the damaged siding (or call in a pro to handle it).
Now that you took the time to prepare your home for summer, you’ll be able to focus more on enjoying other outdoor activities!