Prepare Your Home for Spring

With the warm temperatures recently, there’s no denying that spring is just around the corner. Everyone knows about the annual indoor spring cleaning but do you know what to do to prepare your home for spring outdoors? Here are some tips from ARC Contracting, use them to determine: is your home ready for spring?

prepare you home for spring - roof damageCheck Roof Shingles

Winter can be harsh on your roof. Between the frigid temperatures, brisk winds, and the buildup of ice and snow your shingles take a beating. Check out your roof and particularly look for cracks, missing shingles, or shingles that are starting to curl. All of these things are signs that you need to at least do spot replacement of your shingles. To be sure that is the extent of the damage contact a professional roofer to check it out.

 

prepare your home for spring - clean guttersClean and Inspect Your Gutters

Your gutters should be cleaned out at least twice per year. We’ve said it before how an issue with your gutters can quickly become an issue with your roof. Clear out the debris and check for leaks and any other damages including rust and loose spots where the gutter pulls away from the roof. It is also a good idea to find out where the water melting off of your roof is going. Make sure that it drains away from your home so as not to cause water damage to your home’s foundation. Check both the attic and the basement for any signs of water damage.

prepare your home for spring - trim treesTrim Overhanging Trees

Now is a good of time as any to take out dead trees and shrubs. Also, trim tree branches that hang over your roof. The summer storms with high winds make overhanging tree limbs a danger to your roof. Better to trim them now in a way you can control before they break off and cause damage to your home.

 

prepare your home for spring - driveway cracks

Repair Driveway and Sidewalk Cracks

If you notice small cracks in your drive way, it is important to patch them up before they get worse. With the melting snow and ice, water will sink into the cracks and make the damage even worse. By sealing asphalt and repairing cracks on a regular basis you can prevent alligatoring and potholes from forming in your driveway.

 

prepare your home for spring  - HVAC systemCheck the HVAC System

Your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) could use a little TLC around this time of year. Cleaning everything out and replacing filters can majorly improve the energy efficiency of your home. Having a regular HVAC check-up also makes sure that everything is running smoothly. Cleaning out your dryer vent would be another good idea. The lint buildup increases your risk of a house fire.