Now that winter has passed, you may start thinking about spring cleaning the inside of your home. With warm weather becoming more frequent, spending more time outdoors is common – you may spot some areas on the exterior of your home that need some TLC. In the Lake County, Illinois area our winters bring on freezing temperatures, ice, and heavy winds – all of which can cause major damage to the siding of your home and require maintenance.
While big problems make themselves known even during the cold winter months, smaller problems can hide away until the snow has melted and you return outdoors. It’s important to add a spring maintenance check to your spring cleaning list to make sure that small problems don’t become larger issues if left unnoticed.
What to Look for in a Spring Maintenance Inspection
Spring cleaning isn’t just about opening up your home and switching your wardrobe from winter to summer clothes. Now that it’s sunny enough to get outside check these areas of your home for damage. If you do spot any problem areas, make a list to prioritize once the check is done.
Check the roof
Start from the top and work your way down. The roof has one purpose – to keep you safe from the elements. If anything happens to the shingles or structure of the roof, major repairs could be on the horizon. A damaged roof can lead to excess moisture, which can lead to mold – both in your attic and potentially in other areas of your home.
Open areas of your roof can be the perfect way for critters and insects to get into your home. This is a problem that no homeowner wants to deal with. When you start your roof inspection, look at these areas:
- Check for any missing or damaged shingles. Repair or replace these right away. This will keep away excessive moisture that could lead to potential mold problems inside your home.
- If any shingles appear warped, blistered, or curled – replace these as well. This is a sign that they are on their way to being damaged or that they are about to fall off. Fix the issue now before it becomes a bigger problem.
- Look at your chimney and check it for any damage like loose bricks or a problem with the cap.
- Check your gutters. Is there debris and grit in the downspout?
Examine Your Gutters
You can check your gutters during your roof inspection, but a thorough check of the gutters is important.
- Remove any clogs caused by dirt, debris, leaves, etc.
- Check for standing water or water that is draining too slowly. If this is occurring, find the blockage and remove it immediately to prevent backups.
- Look for cracks in the gutters, mainly at the seams.
- Are the gutters secured properly to the roof?
- Verify that the downspouts are pointed away from the foundation of your home to prevent flooding.
Check the Siding
Move onto the siding. Like your roof, the siding is there to keep you safe and warm but must be regularly checked for problems regularly to prevent large and costly repairs if issues go unnoticed.
- Check siding for wear, warping, or buckling.
- Are there any missing pieces?
- Have any gaps formed between bricks or slats? How about cracks or holes?
- Are there stains or discoloration that could potentially be caused by water damage behind the siding?
- Has any part of the siding started to pull away from your home?
Look at the Foundation
Check your foundation regularly to keep flooding away from your home.
- Look for chipped areas or crumbling pieces in the concrete.
- Are foundation walls bulging or bowing?
- Are any cracks or holes showing on interior walls?
- Do puddles form near the foundation and not absorb into the ground?
- Have you noticed cracks in walls, doorways, or windows?
Check the Landscaping
Landscaping is an area homeowners tend to overlook during maintenance checks. It isn’t just to keep your backyard attractive. If not properly maintained, it can lead to potential problems.
- Ensure that trees are not growing too close to your home. If they fall, they can cause damage to your roof, siding, or foundation.
- Is your yard grated properly preventing water from flowing towards your home?
- If you notice any potential issues, make a to-do list and prioritize it in order of importance. Checking these things early in the spring season means you will have more time to enjoy your summer instead of constantly working on home repairs.
If you are looking for the assistance of a professional home repair company, McMahon Services is here to help. We service areas around Evanston, Arlington Heights, Oak Park, Libertyville, Skokie, Waukegan, and all surrounding areas with premier general contractor and construction services. Call us today to discuss your home repair needs.