Home Remodeling - Improvements - Maintenance & Repairs

HOME MAINTENANCE - Spring inspection and cleaning.

Clean and Inspect Gutters:

Remove all debris such as leaves and pine needles. Scoop out all granules from your roofing shingles. Run a hose in them to clean them, remove any muck, and assure proper water flow.

This is also a good time to make sure the gutters are secured well to the fascia boards. If the gutters are loose, re-secure them using gutter screws instead of the nails. Re-nailing the nails back in will not hold and they'll work themselves loose again quickly.

Visually look at Siding and Trim:

Look to see if the winter winds blew off or loosened any of the house trim or siding. Check to see if trim nails have started to work themselves out. Re secure the trim.

Downspouts:

Check the brackets holding the downspouts. Make sure any extensions are hooked up to your downspouts. Downspouts should be at least 3' from the house to prevent water from draining into your basement walls. A sign of this problem will be a triangular shaped stain generally in the corners of the basement where the downspout outlets are.

Low spots around the foundation:

If you noticed any areas that puddled over the winter, fill them with dirt. you should have at least a 1" per 1' pitch leading from your foundation. Simply, this means that the dirt 3 feet away from your home should be 3" lower than the dirt along the foundation wall.

Outside hose bibbs:

Test your outside hose bibbs. A frost free hose bibb should trickle water for a few seconds after you shut it off. This is the water draining from the hose bibb, which prevents freezing in the winter. If the bibb does not stop dripping after a short while, the washer or seat is bad and will require attention.

Caulk around windows and doors:

This is good time to check the caulk to be sure cracking or separation hasn't occurred over the winter. Aside from allowing drafts, water can enter and cause rot of the underlying wood. Many people think that caulk is only important for the winter months. Not true.

Vents:

If any vents are missing, replace them before birds make a nest in your soffits. If you have crawlspace vents, open them to allow air flow through the summer. Check gable vents for cracks using binoculars if necessary.

Swarms of insects or bugs:

Spring can be a time for insects to swarm. Eastern subterranean termites can swarm in the spring and could be a possible sign of infestation. Keep your wood pile away from your home. Use a hardwood mulch. Pine mulch can attract termites and bugs and will float away in a flooding condition.

Air Conditioner:

Clean around your air conditioner condenser and remove all leaves that might have become trapped. Grass clippings can clog the fins. Oil the motor if required. Check for oil spots at the bottom by looking from the top of the unit. This can be a sign of an oil leak in the motor. Make sure your unit is level. Check for any damage to the insulation on your condensate line. Pour some water through your condensate tube to make sure it's not clogged with algae or sludge. This is generally the white PVC line leading to the basement drain.

Clean your outside unit when the temperature is 60 degrees or higher. Compressors won't work properly in less than 60 degree weather.

INSIDE YOUR HOME

Heater/Air Conditioner Filter:

You should keep up on changing your filter. if you haven't, now is a good time to start. Turn off your humidifier when you switch to your AC for the season. There is also a shut off on the duct work to prevent the air from flowing through the humidifier when not in use.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

Change your batteries and test them. Never disconnect them if they're giving off false alarms or chirping. Instead, tend to them immediately. Fire won't wait until you get around to fixing them. New laws are requiring CO2 detectors on every level.

Sump Pump:

Spring is generally a rainy season and your sump pump may be running more at this time of the year. Make sure it's in working condition. Fill up some buckets of water or take a garden hose and fill the pit until the pump comes on. Test it a couple times. If it doesn't come on the first time or requires a gentle bump to get it to go on, fix it. A sump pump has to work every time, without your help. Make sure the base of the pit is clean.

Dryer Vent:

Check your vent outside to make sure the flap opens properly and completely. Disconnect your vent at the base of your dryer and clean it out with a vacuum. If your vent is clogged, you should consider cleaning the entire run.

Washer Hoses:

Check your hoses for cracks or bulges in the rubber. it's recommended that you replace your hoses with a braided stainless steel type if you still have the old rubber type.

Fire Extinguishers:

Check all of them for an expiration date and make sure the guage reads the proper level. Keep the proper type for the area. You should have one in the kitchen, garage, work spaces, and basement. Make sure everyone in the home knows where they are stored.

Screens:

Check your screens for tears. Re-screen as necessary. Install and check the patio door screen for smooth operation. Adjust as necessary. Clean the tracks of your patio sliders.

Lightning Protection:

With summer coming, lightning storms will be coming too. Don't wait until summer to check your surge protectors. Lightning can strike a mile away and travel in the power lines to your home. Electronics are especially sensitive to any power surges.

Deck and Patio Cleaning:

You may power wash or hose down your deck, patio, or furniture. Sodium Hydrochlorite (clorox) is used to remove mold and mildew. Most contain 5% active ingredient. Name brand means nothing as the compound is natural and 5% is 5% no matter how you cut it.

Another great product is Spray Nine. Not only does it kill mold and mildew, it's a great all around cleaner. It's been approved to kill the H1N1 virus by the EPA. http://www.spraynine.com/swineflu/

Back to your patio... Be sure to saturate shrubs before using cleaners around them. This will prevent them from drinking up the chemical. It is wise to test an area before cleaning with chemicals.

When trying to kill mold or mildew outside, do so in the afternoon when things are dry. Allow 15-20 minutes of contact before washing off with water. A standard pump sprayer sold at Lowes or Home Depot is a great way to apply the cleaning chemicals. Do not use the same sprayer for spraying your trees, grass, and shrubs.