Spring weather is coming, and with it the bright exposure of sunshine. What will that brightness reveal to everyone in your neighborhood? Are your gutters full of leaves? Are your sidewalks cracked? Do you have dead foliage around your home? Did your siding take a hit during the last snow/ice/windstorm?
Spring is the perfect time to inspect your home and property for any damage caused by the harsh elements of winter. You will want to make sure you have handled any necessary repairs before the heat of summer rolls in and you are enjoying the air conditioner!
- Examine your roof shingles.
Were any lost or damaged during the winter winds? Is it time for a whole roof replacement? Look for any signs of warping, cracking, or loose/missing shingles. - Check your gutters.
Make sure downspouts drain away from your home. Double-check for clogs or cracks. And make sure they are not overflowing with debris such as leaves, twigs, and acorns from fall and winter. - Look at your chimney.
Are there any signs of damage or cracking? Is it time for the flue to be cleaned of creosotes and inspected? - Examine your siding.
Did the wind or heavy snows take a toll on the outside? If you catch cracks or signs of weathering early enough, you may be able to save yourself from an unexpectedly large re-siding invoice. - Have your AC serviced.
In the Midwest, it is not uncommon to flip from having the furnace going full-blast to needing the air conditioner the next afternoon. Make sure your AC survived the harsh months outside and that it runs at peak efficiency when you will eventually need it. - Change your air filter inside.
Monthly, monthly, monthly. You know us, you know that is what we are going to say! Make sure your air filter gets changed each month diligently to keep your system running at peak efficiency and keep the allergens in your home to a minimum. - Check your outdoor equipment.
Is your lawnmower starting and running? Your trimmer? Your leaf blower? They are all going to be needed before you know it! Another simultaneous task to perform is to make sure your snowblower is ready to be put away until next winter. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions here to make sure you drain the gas correctly and have it serviced, if needed. - Wash the windows.
Shiny and clear windows can make even a dingy home look newer. Take a few hours on a nice afternoon to wash them to truly let the light shine in as the days slowly get longer. - Pressure wash the mildew or moss from your deck, patio, and walkways.
It’s no fun to sit outside and notice all of the “ick” on your deck and patio. Give those a special spring cleaning, too! (Especially if you used rock salt to break up any ice!) - Re-caulk any gaps around doors and windows.
Cold temperatures can cause cracks in caulking around windows and doorways. By re-caulking these, you not only help keep the “artificial” air in your home, but you are also making it more energy-efficient. - Look for any moisture in your basement or crawl space.
Especially if you have had a thaw after a significant snow or you have had a large amount of rain, check for any moisture in nooks and crannies that can allow water to seep in through the cold months and create long-term problems. - Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Do NOT wait for the chirping of the smoke detector in the middle of the night to signal a low battery. If you cannot remember when you last put fresh batteries into these detectors or you know it has been too long, do so now. - Clear out your flower beds and landscaped areas from debris.
Give your new blooms room to grow in the spring by clearing out the dead vegetation and any debris that may have blown in or gotten trapped in your plant beds over the winter. - Fertilize your yard and reseed, if necessary.
Spring is the perfect time to wake your lawn up from the cold of the winter. Fertilizing it early will help strengthen its roots and get things off to a good start before the heaviest growing season.
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For over 25 years, ServiceOne has been trusted to provide top-notch sales and service to homes and businesses in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area and in Dubuque, Iowa. With over 90 employees standing by to help you, you can always trust us to deliver 100% satisfactory service. We offer Home Warranty & Service Agreements, HVAC services, Plumbing services, Electrical services, Appliance Repair, and also help with Generators and Home & Business Automation. For more information about our services, contact us today!