Spring Home Maintenance Includes a Roof Inspection
Before climbing onto the roof, stand a short distance from the home to get a vantage point of the entire roof. Then, walking the perimeter of the property, look for signs of damage including missing shingles, curled edges, soffit or fascia damage, and debris that needs removal. Once this is done, climb up on the roof to examine it more closely for other issues like:
• Buckling or loose shingles
• Bald shingles
• Clogged gutters
• Cracked chimney
• Cracked skylight (usually from heavy snowfall accumulation)
• Moss growth
Take notes on where the damage is and whether it’s a simple homeowner repair or if a professional consultation is needed. While you have the ladder out, clean your gutters.
HVAC and Dryer Vent Cleaning
Without proper maintenance, an AC unit may not reliably or efficiently cool your home. Additionally, a winter’s worth of lint build-up in a dryer can lead to a fire hazard or a faulty dryer.
Here are some steps to cleaning the AC unit and vents:
• Change the air filter.
• Trim away plant growth and remove debris from around the outside unit.
• Vacuum the exterior of the AC unit with a soft extension brush.
• Remove interior air vent covers and use the same brush to vacuum away dust.
• Take a damp rag and remove dirt and debris from inside the vent.
You can also schedule a professional HVAC technician to perform AC maintenance.
When cleaning dryer vents, move the dryer away from the wall to access the vent opening. Unfasten the clamp holding the vent hose in place and carefully place the hose in a large plastic bag or garbage container. Thoroughly shake out the lint from inside the hose before reattaching it. Next, go outside and clean out the dryer vent exhaust on the exterior of your home.
Spring Home Maintenance for Windows
Window maintenance includes removing grime from the winter months and inspecting each one for any cold-weather damage. Since a home will shift with a temperature change, look for cracks or gaps around the frames of each window. Open and close each window to make sure they have not shifted to the point where they will not lock properly. If any screens need attention, purchase a screen repair kit to fix them.
Driveways and Walkways
During spring home maintenance, check driveways and walkways for cracks, gaps, and uneven surfaces that could be a safety hazard. This includes decks, patios, and any gathering area around the home. Repair these areas yourself or hire a professional. Use a pressure washer to wash away dirt. These can be rented by the hour or for the day from most home improvement stores.
Interior Cleaning
Being organized when performing spring home maintenance will help the process go faster and easier. A room-by-room approach with a general checklist is a good way to begin. A common home maintenance checklist will look something like this:
• Clear clutter from each room before beginning
• Wipe baseboards and molding
• Dust ceiling and floor corners
• Clean window tracks and sills
• Dust ceiling fans
• Dust and clean light fixtures and covers (some may need to be unscrewed for dirt removal)
• Clean window blinds
• Take down curtains and wash them or take them to the dry cleaners
• Test all smoke detectors in the room before moving on to the next area
• Clean all carpeting and rugs
• Dust and polish wood furniture
• Clean floors
• Clean windows
• Disinfect all doorknobs and cabinet fixtures
Spring home maintenance creates fresh, clean spaces ready for warm-weather activities both inside and outside of your home.
Realistic Home Inspection Services offers home inspections to the greater Milwaukee area. Contact us to schedule our services.