5 TIPS TO GET YOUR HOME READY FOR SPRING
Without a doubt, it has been a winter filled with cold rain, tons of snow, and even periods of extreme cold. Your house has been closed up for many months and your garage is a disaster. To save you the stress of scrambling once the weather gets warmer, our team at Executive Craftsman came up with these 7 tips to get your home primed for the spring.
Clean out the gutters
One of the most forgotten homecare tips is to clean out your gutters and downspouts. Check for signs of leaks or loose sections as well. Leaky gutters can cause damage to your home. If you are not comfortable venturing near your roof on a ladder, you can surely hire a professional to clean out your gutters for you.
Inspect the roof
Do a visual inspection of your roof from the ground level to make sure that there are no loose tiles or tiles that were taken off during harsh winter storms. It is common for high winds to cause damage to your roof, especially if trees are near your roof. Overhanging limbs can take off tiles, as can branches that are flying through the wind. If needed, seek out a professional service to look at your roof and repair any damaged areas. A leaky roof can lead to damage that is far worse than replacing a few tiles. In addition, water that leaks in can cause mold damage or even cause wood to rot faster.
Break out the power-washer
After a long and brutal winter filled with rain, snow, and ice, your walkways, driveway, and siding need some attention. We recommend that you rent or purchase a power-washer in order to clean these areas. With proper TLC, the exterior of your home will look brand new. This is also a fantastic opportunity to clean off patio furniture so that you can enjoy it when the weather warms up.
Inspect windows and doors
Once you have power-washed all of the winter build up off of your home, take some time to focus on inspecting the windows and doors of your home for damage. Take a look at the seals surrounding windows and weather stripping. Also, check glass for cracks and see if the paint surrounding the window is chipping. Replace or repair the damaged area and also re-caulk and repaint areas that are weathered away. This will save you money when it comes to cooling off your home once the weather warms up!
Clean out the garage
The garage is a common area of your home that can truly take a beating during the winter months. Absolutely no one wants to take the time to clean out the garage when it is brutally cold out or even pouring rain. Take some time, crack open the door, and clean up the garage from top to bottom. Throw away any trash that accumulated during the winter and then put everything back in a place that makes sense for accessibility purposes. Clean dirt or salt from vehicles off of the floor and check the floor for cracks in the concrete. This is also the perfect time to clean off your vehicle, especially the undercarriage. It is common for tons of dirt, salt, and other scum to build up underneath your vehicle. This can cause your vehicle to deteriorate faster than expected and in cases can force you to purchase a new car in a sooner time frame than expected.
Keep in mind; you do not need to accomplish all of these activities in a short time frame. If you plan to accomplish even one of these per weekend, you will be completely prepared once the warm weather rolls around. When that time comes, you will be able to enjoy the warmth and can just relax. Maybe you can even head out and do some fishing or play a round of golf! Beyond offering these tips, our experts at Executive Craftsman are here to assist you in any way possible from examining a roof to placing new siding on your home!
