Spring has sprung, the grass has ris, I wonder where the flowers is? OK, it’s only Mid February, so perhaps not quite yet, but Spring is just around the corner! Your house needs to be checked and maintained every season in the interest of your safety and the value of the property. Thorough seasonal maintenance can eliminate the possibility of expensive repairs due to compounding of neglected individual problems. Maintenance needs to be done during spring time to fix any issues caused by the winter, and to prepare the house for the summer and the rains.
Service the drains
Post winter, the gutters on the roof, and the drainage ditches on the ground, will probably be clogged with leaves, dust, organic debris, and other remnants of the winter. Unless the gutters are cleared of these, they might get waterlogged during the rains, which can possibly lead to algal or fungal growth, as well as damage to the roof or the walls of your house. It is best to clear the drains in spring, to prepare for the rains.
The drains should be clean enough to allow water to flow freely to the ground. Also make sure that the drains are spaced adequately away from the walls and roof of your house, and that the outlet points away from the walls.
Roof inspection
Just because it didn’t leak in the last rains or in the winter, it does not mean it won’t happen in the coming season. Preventive maintenance is always a good thing. The roof should be inspected regardless of whether it is built using concrete tiles, tin sheets, or shingles. Inspect the ceiling of your house for damp spots and the roof for any missing, broken, or curled shingles. If you are not experienced enough with this or do not have the necessary tools for it, engage a professional to inspect and repair your roof. The best time to make roof repairs is during spring, because the weather allows the repairs to be carried out easily.
Fixing cracks
Again, spring is a good time to fix your walkway, driveway, fences, and walls because of the agreeable weather. Look for cracks in your walkway and driveway that might have formed due to water settling into crevices in the surface and freezing.
Inspect the outer walls of your house for any paint chipping or other damage. Painting your walls is an inexpensive way to keep your house protected against the weather conditions of the coming seasons. It also prevents any exposed wood from rotting, preventing expensive repairs later.
Power-washing the walls and fence is a good idea to get rid of any dirt build-up. Then check for paint chipping or peeling. If you find any, remove the damaged paint, sand the area until smooth, apply primer, and paint it with good quality paint.
Service smoke detectors
It is a good time to take a look at your smoke detectors while you’re doing repairs and cleaning around the house. Smoke detectors need to be maintained. It is a good practice to check your smoke detectors for proper operation every month, and replace their batteries every year. If the detector does not have replaceable batteries, replace the whole unit according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Smoke detectors need to be replaced once in 8 to 10 years. Do it now if they are due for replacement.
