What a Winter!!!

As we recover from one of the harshest winters in recent history, it is important to inspect your home for damage and plan for home maintenance, repair and remodeling projects.  Winter weather can damage homes in ways that aren’t easily visible. You should protect your investment and if necessary, hire a professional to repair or replace damaged components now, before Spring storms create more problems (and the way the wet weather has been , these are important things to check out) .

Here are 10 tips to follow when checking your home for damage in order to make sure your home is ready for Spring from top to bottom:

1.  Inspect roof – Check your roof for loose, warped or missing shingles and make sure the chimney flashing and skylight seals are intact.

2.  Clean and repair gutters – Clear winter storm debris from gutters and downspouts, and check that they are still securely attached to the house.  Blocked or loose gutter can allow water into your home and damage trim.

3.  Look for leaks – Common culprits for hard-to-find leaks are attics, crawl spaces and washing machine hoses.  Inspect these areas, look under sinks for damage from frozen pipes and check your water heater for signs of corrosion.

4.  Clear exterior drains – Remove leaves from underground or exterior drains to clear the way for spring showers and prevent backups.

5.  Inspect siding or shingles – Inspect siding or shingles for pieces that have come loose during winter storms.

6.  Check window and door seals – Examine the exterior caulking on door and window seals to ensure it remains watertight.

7.  Patch cracks – Patch cracks in concrete driveways, sidewalks and steps to keep water out and prevent further expansion.

8.  Inspect HVAC – Hire a qualified technician to service your home’s HVAC system to make sure it is running properly before hot temperatures call for air conditioning.  Now is also the time to replace your HVAC filters.

9.  Paint the exterior – Painting or touching up paint on the exterior of your home not only makes it look better, but will also help protect the home from the elements.

10.  Check your home’s grading – Ensure the grading of your yard slopes away from your home’s foundation to keep excess moisture at bay.

                                                    Call me today to find out more ways you can get your home ready for the warmer weather!