Spring Maintenance Tips & Information

Whether your current home is on the market, or you are just settling into your new home – Spring Maintenance should be far more than just cleaning. Follow our Spring Maintenance Checklist to avoid costly home repairs and disasters.

Exterior Inspection

• Examine your home’s roof. Pay close attention to any damp spots or lost/damaged shingles. Inspect the chimney for any loose or cracked bricks.
• Check all gutters. Be sure they are not loose and are free of debris. All downspouts should drain away from the foundation.
• Inspect all windows. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged window frames. Check window sills for cracks. Fill and re-caulk as necessary.
• Examine all exterior walls and siding. Replace and repair as needed. Siding should be cleaned annually with a pressure washer to keep any 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.
• Check outside faucets for any freeze damage. If required, turn the exterior water back on. Examine garden hoses for dry rot before use.
• Service AC unit. Clean coils and change filters. Test unit to ensure it is in working order.
• Inspect your home’s foundation both from the exterior and interior if possible. Keep an eye out for cracks, leaks, and dampness.
• Walk your yard/lawn and clear debris as necessary. Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home’s paint and force you to have that side of the house repainted. A little trimming can save a lot of money and time.
• Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesn’t get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If it’s not something you can fix yourself, call a professional before your lawn needs the water.
• Inspect your porch, deck, and patio areas. Replace or repair any loose or damaged wood. Check railings for loose spindles. Repair or replace as necessary.

Interior Inspection

• Perform an interior inspection of all windows. Tighten or repair loose or damaged window sills and frames. Clean screening and check for any holes.
• Check attic for any signs of insects, rodents, or mold. While in the attic, examine interior of roof for any signs of damage or leaks.
• Check basement for signs of dampness, cracks, or mold.
• Examine all pipes within the home for signs of freeze damage, cracking, and leaks. Examine hoses to the dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, etc. for signs of cracks, bulges, and dry rot. Check and clean the dryer vent piping in laundry area.
• Inspect hot water heater. Check the tank for signs of leaks (take a look at the floor under the water heater), as well as the relief valve (take a look under and around the valve), and the piping to and from the water heater. To keep your unit in the best possible condition, flush your hot water heater once a year — or at least every very few years. Flushing the tank removes built-up gunk and keeps it running efficiently.
• Test smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and security systems to make sure they are working properly. You should test them at least 2 times per year.
• In the bathroom, check the wax seal around the bottom of your toilet. Examine caulking around toilet, sink, and shower/tub. Re-caulk if necessary.

Once you have completed the interior and exterior inspections – It’s time for a SPRING CLEANING!

When it comes to emergencies in the home, having professionals by your side is one of the keys to easing the stress of any unexpected disasters. Damages to a home in the form of floods, fire, and others causes can be more than just an inconvenience, they can cause months of stress and worse, cost untold amounts of money. That’s why you need an emergency moving service you can trust.

Click here to learn more about Humboldt’s Emergency Moving Services & Restoration Division.