Spring Home Maintenance: 8 Things to Do To Get Your Home Ready For Warm Weather

Now that the threat of winter storms has passed (fingers crossed!) it's time to start thinking about getting the house ready for warm weather, and repairing any damage that the winter may have inflicted. It's important to stay on top of home repairs and preventive maintenance, as a small issue can quickly turn into a big one. Not every homeowner is handy, so some of the things that I will touch on might require a professional. Whatever your DIY capabilities may be, being a homeowner means caring for your home as it is probably the biggest debt you have. If you care for it, and do all the things required to keep systems running properly, water out, and insects away, this big debt could turn into a big return on investment.

1: Clean gutters and downspouts. While you're at it, make sure that the downspouts are intact and that they haven't separated from the house or any extensions that are in place to get water away from the foundation. As a Realtor I can tell you that most new home buyers are very wary of rotten trim and water in the basement. What a lot of people don't realize is that the majority of times water ends up in the basement, it is due to clogged downspouts, downspouts that aren't sending water away from the house or that have fallen down or are compromised in some way. When gutters are clogged and overflow, they eventually create a way for water to infiltrate trim boards creating rot and an easy way in for critters! This is a super easy chore. You may get wet...and if you don't like ladders you could have a problem on your hands. Whether you do it yourself or get a professional to take care of it, this is a must.

2: Reseal your exterior woodwork. Decks, fences, outdoor showers, anything that is unpainted will need to be sealed every year or two. Give it a good cleaning with a brush and some cleaner, let it dry, and apply your sealant. A day or two of work will give you endless hours of outdoor fun and preserve these structures for years to come.

3: Always check your roof. You don't have to get on a ladder! Use binoculars or if you can get a good look just eyeballing, fantastic! The winter winds and harsh weather can take a toll on your roof. Shingles get torn off or loosened. Water can get under it if you experience frost heaves, compromising the integrity of the shingles and the sheathing underneath. Take a good look and if anything looks out of the ordinary or "tired", call a professional in to take a look. You don't want to give water any chance of getting in.

4: Paint. Trim needs to be scraped and painted every few years to not only look good, but also to protect the wood underneath. If your entire house is painted, take a walk around and check for peeling or chipped paint. The cost of painting or hiring a painter will be far less than the repairs that will eventually be needed. Unprotected wood allows for rot and insects or small creatures to get in and wreak havoc. If you aren't a painter, call in the pros.

5: Inspect driveways and paths. Freezing and thawing is rough on asphalt, concrete and other hardscaping materials. Asphalt can be repaired in a lot of cases. Some other products require replacement. If you pay attention and catch the issues early you will save money.

6: Check your irrigation system. Run the system manually and walk all of the zones. This way you can see if any heads are damaged or missing or if they are spraying toward the street, house or driveway and make any adjustments needed. If you can't do this yourself there are plenty of companies out there that will do it for you. Make the call! Save water and your lawn.

7: Look at your screen doors and windows. Super easy!! Small repairs to tears and gaps can be done yourself or at a local hardware or window store. Any that are old, rusted or broken should be replaced. Keep the bugs out, not in!

8: Schedule air conditioning service. Just because it gets cool(ish) doesn't mean it's functioning properly. To get the longest life out of your cooling system and keep it running efficiently, change the filters at least once every season and have a professional service it before the start of summer. Do all that you can to ensure cool times during the dog days of summer.

Being a homeowner is a wonderful feeling and something most of us sets as a goal early on in life. Your home will bring years of happiness and an abundance of memories. Family fun…entertaining friends…anything your heart desires. Be sure to take care of it, and it will take care of you!