Spring is finally here…. Below find a checklist of things you should look for to prepare for the upcoming rainy days.
Gutters and downspouts: Pull leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run water from a hose through the roof gutters and downspout; checking for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak. Gutter and downspout leaks can let water in through the roof, which leads to larger problems if undetected.
Siding: Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting.
Exterior caulking: Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating. Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk needed area.
Window sills, door sills, and thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace when necessary.
Window and door screens: Clean screening and check for holes. If holes are bigger than a dime patch holes or replace the screen. Save bad screen to patch holes next year or in other screens around the house. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint. Replace rusty, broken, worn, or missing hardware. Wind and freezing temps can ruin screens and frames so make sure they are securely fastened. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.
Drain waste and vent system: Flush out the system.
Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating pump and motor.
Evaporative air conditioner: Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt. Outside units tend to collect debris over the winter months if not covered.
Heat pump: Lubricate blower motor; this keeps it from causing damage when you fire it up next fall.
Foundation: Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar, fill them in. If you can slide a quarter into a crack in your concrete floor, slab or foundation you are in need of repair. Foundation damage can lead to water leaks into your home… which could lead to additional issues.
Roof: Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits. Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls for looseness or damage.
