It’s springtime again, and if you’re a homeowner, that means it’s time to do a home maintenance spot check. It’s always good to do a walk around of your home and property during any season, but it’s especially important after the winter thaw and during the spring storm season.
Winter is particularly tough on chimneys and foundations, but it also takes its toll on windows, screens and lights.
Staying on top of home maintenance is important for a number of key reasons, including adding to your home’s curb appeal, value, and protection.
While it’s important to conduct large scale renovations if you plan to sell your home, conducting a basic springtime sweep of your home’s exterior can help you maintain your home’s value year after year.
Windows are key performers
Windows not only keep your home well lit, but they also keep out the hot summer air and can help you save money on your utility bills. So be sure to look for any window leakage, and make sure that all caulking has remained intact through the winter. A tight seal is the very first line of defence against water damage or air leakage.
A great way to test your seals is to hold up a match or candle in the window and watch for any flickering of the flame — this indicates a draft and tells you that the window may need to be repaired or replaced.
If it turns out that it’s time to say goodbye to old leaky windows it always pays to trust a professional window & door replacement company as trying to DIY it could lead to more costs in the end. Be sure to go with a company that handles all stages — from manufacturing to consultation to installation.
Watch out for screen damage
As winter turns to spring, this is the time when millions of insects will emerge from their winter homes, looking for a new place to dwell. If there are any holes or tears in your screen, you can be sure that mosquitoes, spiders, wasps, and many other creepy crawlies will be trying to get inside your home.
While you always have the option of replacing your entire screen, if it’s only torn in places, you may save some money by purchasing small mesh screen repair kits at your local hardware store. They can also be found online.
Make sure your outdoor lights are in working order
As you are likely to be doing more socializing in the spring and summer, and checked to ensure all exterior lights and motion sensors are working. You can also use this time to double check that your solar lights flanking your walkways and gardens are also in working order.
At first, these may seem like aesthetic problems, but the fact is that lighting, screens, and window damage can cause you a lot of problems down the road if you don’t address them right away. Follow the tips above to get your spring maintenance off to the right start.
