In the fall I wrote a blog about all the checkups you should perform on your house in the fall. Now I would like to share with you all the preparation and checks you need to make this spring for the coming summer months. If you read the blog in the fall, some of these checks maybe the same. There are a few that need to be performed bi-annually and there are others that pertain specifically to the current changing of the season.
You may be asking why should you perform a regular check-up on your home?
The answer: to keep your home in the best possible condition. A detailed checkup is just like a visit to the doctor's office for your medical checkup. You want to know what is okay and what is not okay. And you want to take measures to fix things that need fixing before the problems get out of hand.
Fixing problems early helps you to preserve your home. And doing preventative maintenance can extend the life of the equipment and materials, which generally proves to be less expensive than replacing these components.
So your checkup list is as follows:
Grounds and Yard:
- Clean area wells, window wells, and storm drains
- Check driveway and sidewalks for cracks and the yard for settlement and soil erosion.
Doors and Windows:
- Check doors, windows, and trim for finish failure
- Check glazed opening for loose putty
- Check for broken glass and damaged screens
- Check weather stripping for damage and tightness of fit
- Check caulking at doors and windows, and all other openings and joints between dissimilar materials (like wood and masonry)
Exterior Walls:
- Check masonry for cracks and loose joints
- Check paint surfaces for paint failure
- Check siding and trim for damage or decay
Roof:
- Check for damaged or loose shingles, or blistering of the roof
- Check underside of roof where accessible for water stains or dampness
- Check for damaged flashing
- Check for damaged gutters, downspouts, hangers, strainers, and rust. Clean out your gutters and downspouts as required.
- Check vents, louvers, and chimney caps and housing for birds nests
- Check fascias and soffits for paint failure and decay
- Check masonry chimneys
Interior Surfaces:
- Check all joint in ceramic tile, laminate plastic and similar surfaces
- Check grouting around tubs, showers, and sinks
Floor:
- Check for wear and damage, particularly where on material meets another
- Evaluate for replacement or refinishing
Plumbing:
- Check flush ales, faucets, hose bibs, supply and drainage piping, including those in your basement or crawl space. Check your septic tank as required.
- Check water heater
Electrical System:
- Check condition of lamp cords, extension cords, and plugs. Replace at first sight of wear or damage.
- Check exposed and overhead wiring for damage and missing insulation. Replace or repair as needed
- If fuses blow or breakers trip frequently, call an electrician to locate the cause and make repairs
- Test ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's)
Heating and Cooling System:
- Clean or change air filters as required
- Clean dirt and dust from around your furnace
- Have heating and cooling systems checked by qualified service person annually
- Service humidifier and/ or dehumidifier annually.
Foundations and Basements:
- Inspect for signs of termite infestation annually
- Check grading to assure the water will drain away from foundation
- Check basement or crawlspace for dampness and/or leakage following wet weather
Though doing a home checkup is the most important step in identifying any current or potential problems around your home, it is only the first step. Make sure to take care of any problems you find and call a professional to fix anything that is beyond your repair. It is much better to get a problem fixed early than have it escalate into a larger problem down the road.
Written By: JoAnna Landers
