Spring maintenance tips from Your savvy Home Inspector

April showers bring home maintenance & repairs…Spring maintenance tips from Your savvy Home Inspector

That old rhyme “April showers bring May flowers” may be true for your garden; April is also often the first post-snow opportunity to review your roof’s condition.  See our Blog on Roofing https://glennduxbury-inspections.com/concerned-professional-home-inspector-asks-2/

Spring is a time to assess how well your maintenance work held up during this past Winter and what other maintenance work or repairs must be made as a result. Here’s our list of Spring home maintenance tasks that will keep your home humming for another season:

  • Using binoculars, look for cracked, broken or missing shingles. Most Roofers will be able to make any needed repairs.      
  • Pay particular attention to metal and applied flashings—the sheet metal /caulking used to waterproof around chimneys may have shriveled-up and /or peeled away from flashings, resulting in problem leaks. A sheet metal contractor can help, if a roofing contractor can’t and also check in your attic during a rain event…
  • You may also find mortar and brick or stone at your chimney to be a little worse for the wear after a long Winter. This usually calls for selective brick /stone repair or replacement and a little mortar repair known as “re-pointing.”  If you suspect you need work, consult a qualified stone or brick mason.
  • Check gutters and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any debris and ensure water only flows away from your foundation.
  • Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture and repair as required (cracks can easily let water in).

  • Check for and seal-off any openings in the exterior that could be an entry-point for small pests, such as rodents, squirrels and /or insects.

  • Open valves to outside hose connections after all danger of frost has passed.
  • Ensure sump pump is operating properly, before Spring rains let all that water drain in, toward the foundation.
  • Re-level any exterior steps or decks that have moved as a result of frost or settling.
  • Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
  • Snow-clearing and ice melt can leave your concrete driveway and paths looking like a war zone. When it comes to repairing concrete, the good news is that it is easy and inexpensive. If you simply can’t live with the look of the repaired concrete, don’t go pulling out the jackhammer just yet.  Consider applying a penetrating pigmented concrete stain for uniformity.
  • Undertake Spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.
  • Clean windows, screens and hardware; check screens first and repair or replace, if needed.
  • Check caulking around doors and windows for air and water leaks.
  • Clean and re-paint the exterior surfaces.
  • Now is also the time to think about re-painting decks and fences, after repairing.
  • Check movement of overhead garage doors and lubricate moving parts as needed.
  • Check your water heater – consult the manual – and check the temperature relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. CAUTION: this test may release hot water that can cause burns, so keep away from the discharge tube exit.
  • Turn off gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights, when no longer needed.
  • Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries.
  • Shut down and clean /service the furnace and filter.
  • Clean or replace air-conditioning filter (if applicable); have it serviced every 2 years.
  • Irrigation /Sprinkler systems can also be re-set.
  • Get that gas grille readied for a good cook-out !

Be attentive at the beginning of Spring to enable a more relaxed Summer !

If you have any concerns, contact Glenn and his team  & they can assist you.

 

 

 

 

 

The Team of Home and Building Specialists

“Uncovering Tomorrow’s Surprises, TODAY !”

info@glennduxbury–inspections.com

www.glennduxbury-inspections.com