Many of us take pride in our home but during the winter months, our home can take quite a beating. The long winters in the northern states can be hard on the exterior of the home and the weather makes it difficult for us to continue to take care of projects as they become available. That is why it is a good idea for you to set aside a weekend or two in the spring to make sure that your home is up to speed. Here are some tips that can help you in that type of maintenance work so that you can enjoy the summer in a home that is well-maintained.
One of the first things that you should check in the springtime is the gutters of the home. If you live in an area that has ice or snow, this can easily impact the gutters and cause them to leak. If the gutters are not draining properly, this can end up pulling water into the home under the roofing or perhaps even through the walls into the living space. Make sure that the gutters are clear of any debris and that they are well-maintained in the spring. You should also make sure that any area where they drain away from the home is free of clutter so that the water can get away from the foundation.
It is likely that you are going to have some yard work to do in the springtime as well. Many of us tend to enjoy doing this work on our own but for larger projects, you may want to consider hiring some landscapers. They can help you to get a handle on the situation so that you can take care of the maintenance work much easier. One thing to look for in particular is any low areas that can result in flooding throughout the summer. This is especially the case around the foundation of the home where water can end up getting into the basement or crawl space.
An examination of the roof is always a good idea, especially after a hard winter. Typically, a visual inspection of the roof is all that is going to be necessary and you can do so from the ground level. If you see that the shingles are cracked or damaged, you are going to need to examine this a little bit closer. Keep in mind, working on the roof is dangerous and it is also expensive. If you’re going to have any type of roofing job that is necessary, start to set aside some money in the family budget to take care of it as soon as possible.
Those are just a few of the things that should be done every spring when the snow and ice falls. You should do a thorough walk around of the home and inspect for any type of visible damage that has occurred as well. Making updates to your home during this time and fixing any damage will help to save you money and time to the future if the problem is allowed to get bigger.