As the weather takes a turn for the better (especially in northern California), it\’s time to roll up your sleeves and conduct a thorough inspection of your home\’s exterior to prepare it for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.
Undoubtedly, you\’ll discover various tasks demanding your attention – perhaps more than you bargained for. Yet, spring home maintenance is all about taking proactive steps to address any issues before they escalate.
Let Experts In Your Home be your trusted partner in this endeavor, much like we assisted with interior home maintenance in a previous article. Recognizing that not every homeowner can tackle all maintenance tasks, make a note of those you\’re unable or unwilling to handle personally. Our seasoned home experts stand ready to pick up where you leave off.
Essential Exterior Maintenance Tasks:
- Clean both the interior and exterior of your windows, along with the screens. While it may be tempting to employ a power washer, it\’s best to avoid potential damage, particularly to the window caulk. Screens can be gently washed with mild dish soap and air-dried, while windows respond well to vinegar. Consider delegating this labor-intensive task to Experts In Your Home for optimal results.
- Thoroughly sweep your deck or patio, especially if you have a wooden deck which may benefit from staining and resealing.
- Rake your lawn to remove debris like leaves and branches. For bare patches, consider removing dead soil, tilling, and adding compost, reserving reseeding and fertilizing for warmer weather.
- Refresh metal furniture by removing flaking paint with a wire brush and sandpaper, followed by repainting. Outdoor cushions can be cleaned using a mixture of bleach, dish soap, and warm water.
- Hose off garden tools and lawn care equipment, ensuring they\’re in good working condition.
Exterior Visual Inspection Checklist:
- Inspect gutters for debris buildup, preferably from an adjacent second-story window. Consider entrusting this task to Experts In Your Home for safety reasons.
- Examine the roof and chimney for loose or missing shingles, bricks, or stones, and pay attention to \”nail pops\” that could potentially lead to water damage.
- Survey the perimeter of your home for foundation cracks and check walls for signs of water damage, especially near downspouts. For wood siding, inspect for openings made by animals or insects.
- Ensure gutters are correctly connected and draining away from the house.
- Verify the structural integrity of pipes, faucets, hoses, and sprinkler systems.
- Test gas grills for obstructions in the jets and clean charcoal grills of ash or grease residue.
By diligently addressing these maintenance tasks, you\’ll keep your home\’s exterior in top condition, ready to withstand the elements throughout the spring and summer seasons.