Once the snow melts, the frenzy of spring encourages many homeowners to get the patio furniture out of the shed and rake the yard so they can enjoy the good weather as soon as possible.
But before you bask in the warm sunshine, you need to inspect the exterior of the house to check whether anything needs repairs after the winter. It’s the ideal time to plan the work that has to be done before the barbecue season!
Here are the main things to examine when you inspect your house this spring.
Roof
- The covering has to be intact.
- If you have an asphalt shingle roof, check whether any of the shingles have curled or are covered with moss. Make sure that the shingles haven’t lost their granular texture.
- If your roof is flat, pay special attention to the state of the drain and to water accumulation. The gravel has to be spread evenly.
- Also examine the watertightness of joints with valves, aerators, the chimney and skylights, if you have any of these structures on your roof.
Careful! You have to be prudent when you climb on the roof. Attach yourself to a proper harness or get professional help to inspect your roof.
Trees
- Check whether any branches that are fragile or overhang your property need to be trimmed over the winter to prevent damaging your roof by falling or dripping on it.
Gutters and downspouts
- Clean the gutters by removing the accumulated debris so that water will run freely.
- Check that the gutters are firmly attached to the roof.
Siding
- Brick siding: examine the bricks and joins for cracks and crumbling.
- Vinyl, aluminum or other siding materials: make sure that the pieces are solidly attached and free of mold.
Damage to siding can let water in, and ultimately lead to the presence of mold or structural damage.
Foundations
- Go all around the house to detect any new cracks, a major cause of water leaks. An expert can help you repair them if they’re problematic.
Stairs and balconies
- Assess the general state of the stairs and balcony: mold or moss, crumbling, solidity, peeling paint, etc.
Doors and windows
- Check the seals around doors and windows. If they’re cracked, that’s a sign that they’ve dried out and are no longer as effective, in other words, that they probably need to be replaced for maximum effectiveness against leaks.
- Replace weatherstripping if needed.
- Test the mechanism for opening and closing windows to make sure that they close fully.
- If there is condensation on the inside of the glass, probably the thermal seal is detached. Some companies can replace the glass to solve the problem.
- You can take the opportunity to wash and reinstall insect screens.
Front lawn and yard
- Assess whether your lawn will need a bit of love this year.
Fireplace
- If your house has a fireplace and you’ve made two fires in the past year, get it swept. The chimney sweep can tell you whether any work is needed to maximize safe operation.
Heat pump
- Remove debris built up on the device and in the outlet drain.
- It is recommended that you have your heat pump inspected and cleaned every two years.
Dryer air exhaust
- Make sure that the valve is closing properly when the dryer isn’t running.
- It’s a good idea to clean the entire dryer exhaust to prevent any risk of fire.
Outdoor lighting
- Turn on outdoor lights and replace burnt bulbs.
There is a lot to think about when you own a house. Fortunately, Edwix is there to make your life simpler by managing all the warranties related to the various repairs you’re doing!
