As we slowly transition from the frigid winter into the blooming spring season, an important thing to add to your To-do list is the Spring Maintenance of your home. The winter weather might have caused various outdoor damages to your home, so naturally, the best thing to do first is to check out both the interior and exterior of your home for structural defects that may have been caused by the winter.
Gutter, downspout, and drainage –
Observe your gutter for any damages due to the winter season’s ice dams and icicles. Clean the gutter, downspout, and drainage to remove any leaves and debris.
Foundation –
Be observant of cracks in your foundation. Cracks may have formed due to the changes in ground temperature. Inspecting it for cracks can prevent any major damage to your home. Also make sure that there isn’t any root growth near the foundation since it can cause indirect damage to it due to the shrinking of soil, which can lead to the forming of cracks in a home’s foundation [1].
Outdoor Plumbing –
Go through your automatic lawn sprinklers, outdoor faucets, and pool equipment, to examine if they are functioning properly. If you hear a humming sound from your water pipes, it might mean that there is water leakage [2]. Consult with a plumbing expert if repairs are needed.
Landscaping –
Reseed bare patches in your lawn, remove dead plants, and add fertilizer or mulch to your garden to help increase your home’s curb appeal.
Chimney –
Contact a chimney inspection professional to search for any impairment to the chimney’s structure because intense heat and cold can cause it to get cracks. It’s always better to know if your chimney poses some serious hazards. Also, don’t forget to clean the remaining debris and soot from your chimney.
Exhaust vents –
Clean the exhaust system for your laundry room’s dryer and kitchen’s range [3] to prevent them being a fire hazard. Aside from fire prevention, a clean exhaust vent will keep your appliances working efficiently and require less maintenance [4 and 5]
If you’re considering doing some intense spring cleaning to prepare your home for selling, you can always consult with our seller specialists to see what values you can add or may miss. You might also want to check out our Ultimate Real Estate Guide consisting of Seller and Buyer Tips, as well as Home Features that might be helpful for you! Community Real Estate is a team of Trusted Advisors when it comes to real estate and home equity positions so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
References
[1] Myth # 3 Tree Roots will Damage my house, JP Associates
[2] Outdoor Plumbing, Millcreek Plumbing
[3] Spring Maintenance Checklist, American Home Shield Corporation
[4] Benefits From a Kitchen Exhaust System Cleaning, Guardian Services Commercial
[5] Safety First: 5 Reasons to Get your Dryer Vent Cleaned, Fresh Aire Duct Cleaning