Spring is coming and it is about time to start on a little bit of that spring maintenance before it starts to cut into your fun in the sun! Many homeowners believe spring maintenance is all about the cleaning. Sure, spring cleaning is a big chunk of any spring home maintenance schedule, but focusing on the maintenance of certain structures inside and outside of your home is just as important. Most homeowners love to see spotless windows for that first sunny day but you cannot forget your roof and the possibility that ice dams formed over the winter. Even though that first sunny day seems like a great excuse to go for a hike and a picnic, it should also be a great reminder that your outdoor spring maintenance is waiting. Every spring, you should think about your home’s gutters, siding, caulking and windows.
Gutters are one of the easiest fixes of your spring maintenance. Start your gutter project by pulling the leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. If any gutters have pulled away from the house after winter ice damage, reattach them with the same fasteners you used the first time, but consider using more to prevent the problem from happening again. Finally, run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If there are any leaks, dry the area and use a water seal caulking or epoxy to seal the leak.
After your gutters have been cleaned, use a power washer to spray your siding that may have accumulated dirt over the winter months to prevent any mold. After washing, check all wood surfaces for weathering and chipping paint. If there is any wood showing through, sand the area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting. While doing this you can quickly check your exterior caulking and paint for damage around your doors, windows and thresholds. If there is any damage or deterioration, scrape out the caulking and recaulk as necessary and paint over once it has dried.
Finally, clean your screening and check for any holes. If there are holes bigger than a quarter, that is plenty of room for bugs to climb into your home. You can either patch holes or replace the screen altogether. If you replace it, save the bad screen to patch holes later on. Remember to tighten up or repair any screens that may have come loose and replace any hardware that has broken. Wind can ruin screens and frames if they are allowed flap and move so making sure they are securely fastened is important to keep your new or repaired screens together.
Spring cleaning doesn’t always have to mean getting the dust bunnies out from behind the refrigerator. Fixing up your home around this time of year can save you a lot of headaches later on when you’re trying to have fun in the sun. Get started on some of these projects soon, and then you’ll have plenty of time to plan that upcoming summer vacation! FBN
Mike Brackin proudly announced HomCo’s name change in early 2013. Now HomCo Lumber & Hardware, Mike Brackin continues to carry on a legacy of expert knowledge, outstanding customer service and ever improving specialized services and departments. HomCo Lumber & Hardware is Northern Arizona’s leading authority in the home improvement industry located at 1763 E. Butler Ave., in Flagstaff. For more information, call 928-779-6111, visit HomCo’s website at www.MyHomCo.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyHomCo.
