By Lauri Lee
Northside News
Just as annual physicals maintain personal health, routine inspections and maintenance are deemed important for the abode that provides us shelter. Taking preventative measures ensures a well maintained home that you can enjoy for years and helps the house’s resale value when that time comes.
During mild spring days, do a visual walk around the exterior of the house and take stock of the problems that may have been sustained during the winter months.
How did the house fare over the winter? Make a checklist, identifying which projects can be handled on your own through a stop at the hardware store and those you will turn over to a professional contractor or handyman.
Taking care of lawn, garden and landscape projects during April and May will offer cooler temperatures than the heat of summer and help provide more time to enjoy summer activities.
A home repair checklist may seem like a fancy name for a honey-do list. A better way to think about it is as a savings account. Remember how much money will be saved in the long run by taking care of things before they become a problem or get worse. Having to make repairs in the height of the summer season could be much more costly.
Outside the house checklist
- Mend cracks and gaps in concrete on driveways, walkways and patios.
- Inspect exterior door hardware and repair loose locks.
- Check windows and doors for cracks and gaps and seal with caulk, or install or replace weather stripping.
- Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint.
- Clean gutters clogged with leaves and fix loose downspouts to avoid water damage
- Inspect roof for missing, loose or damaged shingles or broken flashing that could cause leaks.
- Inspect the wood deck and consider if it needs to be refinished, sealed or replaced.
- Inspect outdoor water systems such as pipes, faucets and in-ground sprinkler systems.
- Repair siding leaks.
- Repair rotted wood sills or sashes that have taken serious abuse from the weather
Indoor to-do list
- Change the air conditioning filter, check hose connections for leaks and make sure drain pans are draining freely.
- Clean the furnace filter to remove dust buildups which could lower your utility bills.
- Have the fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned.
- Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement.
- Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary.
- Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to remove mineral deposits.
- Inspect tub, shower and sink drains for debris and inspect the caulking for deterioration.
- Vacuum the lint from the dryer vent.
- Clean the carpets.
- Wash the windows.
- Repair water-stained ceilings.
- Clean often neglected areas such as ceiling fans, fabric drapes, blinds, and the top of cabinets and refrigerator to remove dust and allergens.
- Clean out closets and storage, then separate into piles of keep, donate, repurpose and throw.
Lawn and Garden
- Mulch plantings to help hold back weeds and retain moisture so the soil doesn’t dry out as easily.
- Prune trees and cut limbs that could fall on a roof.
- Thin out excess foliage to allow more natural light into a house.
- Cut back and divide perennials as needed.
- Rake fallen leaves and dead foliage.
- Compost yard waste.
- Schedule spring lawn cleanup, summer mowing and yard maintenance.
- Plant bare root plants such as roses.