Your Spring Home Inspection
Its time for your Spring Home Inspection!
Everyone knows that we’re in the middle of Spring Cleaning season. While you’re busy getting rid of old furniture and clothes or trying to figure out how you’re going to get your lawn mower running for another year, you should consider doing your Spring home inspection!
Below you will find 6 parts of your home that you should check after a long winter. That way, you can take care of your house and get back to enjoying the warm weather quickly!
Inspect your Windows and Doors (Interior and Exterior)
Your windows and doors to the outside take quite a beating during the winter, as the cold and precipitation cause the windows and doors, as well as their frames, to shrink. Even with newer door and window units, depending on what the frames are made out of (Wood, Fiberglass, Vinyl, Aluminum, etc.) you may experience cracking or warping of the frames, broken or dry rotting jamb seals, and other issues. Inspecting and cleaning your doors and windows at least once, if not twice per year (Spring and Fall), will help you take care of potential problems early.
Flush your Water Heater
Though you may be thinking “I don’t need to check my water heater because I’ll soon be taking cold showers,” you don’t want to forget that your water heater plays a crucial role even during the spring and summer months when it comes to washing clothes and dishes. We recommend flushing your water heater at least once per year to prevent sediment build up and help extend the life of one of the more expensive and crucial home appliances. Check out our post on New Water Heater Options for the newest efficient choices!
Check and Clean your Gutters
Every year, thousands of gallons of water are drained from your roof through your gutters and downspouts. Keeping these in tip-top shape prevents water from pooling in places it shouldn’t and running down the side of your house. Make sure in addition to the drainage system attached to your house, you also inspect any hoses leading from your spouts to your ditch or drain field.
Inspect your Garage Door
Throughout the winter, if snow piled up in front of your garage door, it may have put pressure on hardware or the track system in ways that it should not have. Inspect your garage door hardware to make sure nothing is bent out of shape or rusting, the door itself is not cracked or punctured, and the track system is working properly.
Examine your Home Exterior (Siding)
Do a walk around of the outside of your house. Do you spot any siding cracks, breaks, or excessive paint peeling? Even if the damage is not as noticeable as a break in your siding or large crack, peeling paint can become a big problem if left to the elements long enough. If you protect your siding, your siding will protect you!
Examine your Foundation
Major shifts in ground temperature and large amounts of precipitation can majorly impact your home’s foundation. Small cracks naturally form in concrete due to a home settling, but can expand quickly throughout the winter months due to the environmental changes.
If you have questions about how you can care for your home in the spring (or any season of the year), feel free to contact us!