Spring Maintenance Tips

With spring around the corner (we hope) it is time to start getting ready for your spring maintenance checklist. This is stuff that you couldn’t do during the cold, and usually, these are outdoor repairs. If you neglect to do some of these it can cause serious damage and require a restoration company to help repair the issues.

1. Clean Gutters

This is super important and is something that needs to be done every year. Leaves, sticks, and other debris will pile up and can clog the drain spouts and gutters. This is bad especially when the spring rains come since water will then fall next to the house. This increases the likelihood that water will seep into your home. You can use a garden hose to clean out the downspout. Push it down into the spout and make sure that the water is flowing easily. The downspouts should take the water at least 5 feet from the foundation. The ground around the base of the home should slope downward and away from the base of the home.

1. Roof Inspection

We would suggest hiring a professional roofer to come and inspect your roof annually. They will look for missing shingles, curled shingles, or cracked caulking. There are other issues to look for, but these are some of the most important. Obviously, any missing shingles or other issues can allow water through and this could cause serious water damage. Most roofers don’t charge a huge amount to come and inspect the roof and make minor repairs.

1. Trim Overgrowth

This applies to both trees and landscaping. You want to keep the trees cut back or else they will drop moisture down onto the roof and this will grow moss and mold on the roof. Cut out and remove any trees or large bushes that are near the base of your home. You want to prevent the roots from growing into the foundation. Roots are strong enough to crack the foundation, which can cause major structural issues and allow water into your home.

1. Foundation Vents

If your home has a crawl space then there are usually vents around the home that allow air to circulate into the crawl space. This keeps the moisture level down, this is important to prevent mold from growing. Check these vents each spring, and clear away anything that may be blocking or clogging the vents. If any of them are damaged then you should replace or repair them. Mice and Rats can get into a home through these vents and all it takes is a tiny hole.

Performing some simple maintenance each year can make a huge difference. Take the time this spring to perform some of these spring maintenance tips.