Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

02 Mar Your Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

March means there is an onset of warmer weather right around the corner. The weather in Utah has been somewhat unpredictable, but we are hopeful that the slightly warmer weather we’ve had the last few days will lead to less cold days in the future. Once the temperature becomes a little more moderate, it’s the perfect time to get outside and get started on some annual spring maintenance. Not sure where to start?

Check your chimney

If you have a chimney, this should be one of the first things that you check this spring. Check the joints between bricks and stone, ensure there is no vegetation trying to break in from the outside, and check for efflorescence. This is a white, calcium like deposit, indicating that the joints in your chimney are absorbing water, rather than repelling it like it is supposed to. You can apply a few coats of a water-resistant barrier if you are concerned about this.

Whether or not you need a foundation specialist

While doing the exterior check of your home, make sure you take some time to inspect your foundation. If you see any cracking or visual disturbances, caulking these spots may not cut it. If your foundation fails, you’ll have expensive repairs and could be injured. If you’re worried about your foundation, call a foundation specialist to inspect and ensure no damage is imminent.

Check the sealing on your windows

Winter is usually accompanied by significant amounts of snow, and when that snow melts, it can seep through your windows if they aren’t sealed properly. Spring means that rain is right around the corner, so if you are noticing any gaps or sealant problems in your windows, get them re-caulked and new weather stripping added before the weather changes.

Water damage on exterior walls or roofing?

Speaking of water damage, make sure to also check your roof and the exterior walls of your home for water damage, while you’re at it. If you see water stains on your walls, this usually indicates that your gutters aren’t doing their job. As far as your roof goes, you probably don’t need to climb up there, but if you have a pair of binoculars handy, you can check out the shingles of your roof from the ground. Just look for any shingles that have raised and could mean that water could be getting in under the shingle.