Preparing Your House for Spring

2/26/2018 (Permalink)

This winter has been pretty brutal for many of us and while we may not be out of the woods yet, Spring and warmer temperatures are in sight. Even for those of us that’s keep our houses in tip top shape, a particularly cold winter can wreak havoc on the best of home maintenance plans. Following are some the easiest and most effective ways to prepare your home for Spring showers and the warmth we are all looking forward to. 

First, start with a thorough inspection of the roof. Even if it is relatively new, the weight of snow, expansion and contraction due to temperature variances and wind driven rain can expose the smallest of defects. A thorough inspection of the roof can find problems that, if left unresolved, could potentially turn into significant water intrusion issues later on. Making repairs before the problem gets too big cant extend the life of the roof and save you money in the long-term.

Now is also the time to check vents, gutters and openings around the house. Dryer vents should be clean to avoid the potential of a dryer lint fire, gutters should be free of debris to ensure that rainwater is routed to appropriate areas and any openings at or near ground level should be checked for holes in the protective wire to ensure that pests cannot get in or under the house.

Spring cleaning is not just for the kitchens bathrooms and closets. After a long winter indoors, air quality can really suffer and a cleaning of carpets drapes and upholstery can offer a breath of fresh air to welcome Spring. Not only Will a good fabric cleaning make your house feel fresher, but it may also extend the life of your carpets and upholstery making it look newer for longer.

Now is as good a time as any to double check your fire prevention plan. Make sure you have fire extinguishers in the proper places around house and fresh batteries in the smoke detectors. Replace any old or damaged equipment and double check the expiration dates. Unfortunately, there are times were even the most vigilant of us cannot prevent a home fire, so best to be prepared.

One final tip that many homeowners overlook is the health of their windows. They may be cleaned and crystal clear, but are they letting water into the house? Caulking around windows does not come with a lifetime warranty and, depending on the weather, can degrade rather quickly. If you notice holes or cracks in the caulking around your windows, contact a home improvement professional like SERVPRO of Bellmore/Wantagh. You won’t want to run over the old caulk with a new bead – rather, removing the caulk entirely and re-caulking the window is always the best option.

Small maintenance items handled now can often prevent much bigger problems from occurring in the future. Of course, the professionals at SERVPRO of Bellmore/Wantagh are here to help with any of your maintenance needs. Let’s help you get your house in top shape today!