Winter can be tough on your home exterior, taking a toll on your roofing, chimney, windows, gutters, and more. As the chilly weather begins to subside and signs of spring appear, take a walk around your home to do a visual inspection to survey any damages that may have resulted from winter weather.
After being cooped up during winter, it’s time to look forward to savory outdoor cookouts with friends and family. Why not start getting ready now?
Here are some basics to pay attention to, so your home will be in tip-top shape for spring.
12 Steps to Spring Home Maintenance
1. Roofing
Bypass the dangers of walking on your roof, and instead grab some binoculars, walk across the street and take a good look at your roof. Check for cracked or missing shingles and any other apparent damage from winter storms. Contact a reputable roofer for a professional inspection if needed.
2. Chimney
Check the joints between bricks or stones if you have a masonry chimney. Damaging water infiltration can show up in two ways: first, as missing joints between your bricks, and second as vegetation growing out of them. If joints look efflorescent, they aren’t repelling water, but rather absorbing it.
3. Siding
Take a good look at your home’s siding. Are there damaged or missing panels? Is any of your siding lose, causing damaging moisture to invade behind it? If left unchecked, water can get into your walls, rotting support beams and causing stains on your drywall. If your siding has peeled away from your house or is cracked, it may need replacement or repairs.
4. Gutters
Are your gutters securely attached, or are a portion of them dangling? They’ll need to be re-secured for your safety and the safety of your home exterior. Are your gutters loaded up with debris, causing them to be ineffective? Hire someone to clean them out, or if you’re willing to take the appropriate safety precautions, clean them out yourself so water can be channeled away from your home.
Are there water stains on your home’s siding near your downspouts? If so, your gutters and downspouts aren’t doing their job and should be inspected by a professional.
5. Windows
Take a good look at your windows and screens. If screens are broken, replace them. If windows show signs of moisture intrusion, condensation, rot, or other damage, contact a reputable contractor (like us!) to have the problem assessed. The longer you leave any water intrusion, the more it will cost you in the long run.
Wash your windows inside and out—to freshen them up for spring. Clean their tracts and seals with a vacuum from inside your home.
6. Doors
Inspect your exterior doors for any wear, tear, or damage. This includes French doors, sliding glass doors, your entry door, and your home’s back door.
If you felt a draft inside your home near a door during the winter, it may need to be resealed or replaced.
7. Exterior Paint
Your home’s siding may need to be repainted if it is peeling, flaking, or faded. (Note: it’s best not to repaint vinyl siding.)
If your home is covered in wood siding and you see signs of moisture intrusion in places, it should be repaired and repainted.
8. Landscaping
Trim back overgrowth, mainly bordering your home siding. Ensure shrubs, tree branches, and other vegetation don’t brush up against your siding. Rake your yard deeply to get rid of dead grass so fertilizer and seed penetrate easily. Bald spots in your yard should be overseeded so you have a lush, beautiful lawn this spring.
9. Foundation
Look for hairline cracks in your foundation. Winter freezing and thawing cycles can cause cracks in your home’s foundation. While these aren’t usually a structural concern, they can create a place where water and pests can enter your home.
10. Air Conditioner
Remove debris that accumulated around your air conditioner over the winter. Replace air filters and clean your vents. When filters are clogged, air won’t pass through easily, and your unit must work harder to cool your home. Great news! You’ll lower your energy usage by replacing filters.
11. Decking
Look for water stains, rot, warping, or discoloration on your deck. Scan it for loose or rusty nails, and check stairs and railings to ensure they are sturdy. Re-stain and repair your deck as needed.
12. Spring Cleaning
Decluttering your home interior is a great way to step into spring. Separate items from overstuffed closets and drawers into three piles. Deal with each item and decide if you want to keep it, give it away, or pitch it. You’ll be amazed at how much closet and drawer space you have once you purge them of unnecessary items!
Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses. Rent a carpet cleaner to refresh your carpets. Inspect your tile for worn or missing grout and if you find missing grout areas, have them repaired to avoid water damage. Clean all the grout that is intact between your tile throughout your home.
Wash the kitchen backsplash, clean the oven, wipe out the refrigerator and throw away all outdated items. Clean soap scum off bathroom showers and tubs.
Stunning Exterior Remodeling for Your Indianapolis Home
As you are taking care of your home, you may notice some damage, or see the potential for an update. At Craftsman Exteriors, we deliver impressive exterior remodeling because we focus on the small things other contractors overlook. We take our time and aren’t concerned about moving quickly to get to the next job, so you get the perfect upgrade for your Indianapolis area home.
Learn more about our exterior remodeling services.
