With winter now behind us and spring right on our doorstep, it’s the perfect time to do those all-important home maintenance jobs that you’ve been putting off throughout the whole of winter. Now that the weather has perked up and the days getting longer, there’s no excuse to not get outdoors and spruce up the exterior parts of your home that are begging for some TLC!
Our handy checklist runs through each of the maintenance jobs that you’ll need to do to get your home ready for the spring. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the most important spring-time jobs for your home’s exterior.
Exterior Maintenance Jobs
1. Inspect the roof
The first job on our exterior maintenance checklist is a good old fashioned roof inspection. Here, you’ll need to make your way to your home’s roof safely and securely and look out for any damaged or missing tiles and shingles, and any signs of cracks or leaking. If you happen to come across anything that needs your attention, be sure to repair and replace it right away or contact a professional.
2. Clear gutters and pipes
Second on our exterior maintenance checklist is cleaning out your gutters and downpipes. Chances are that this hasn’t been done since before the winter and in that time there has been a build-up of leaves, dirt and debris which can lead to blockages and damage to not just the exterior of your home but the foundations also. Grab a ladder, a bucket, some gloves and a hose and begin to clear away any mess that you find. Once cleared, run the hose down your gutters and pipes to clear away anything left over.
3. Inspect outside faucets
Next, you’ll want to inspect your outside faucets for any signs of freeze damage that may have occurred over the winter months. You can do this by turning on your water and placing a finger over the opening. If the water flow stops, this could indicate damage to your pipe and a professional may need to be called to advise on whether it needs to be replaced.
4. Check the deck
Once the outside faucets have been checked, the next thing to take a look at is your deck. That’s if you have one of course. If not, then you can just skip this bit but if you do, then here’s what you’ll need to do. Firstly, check for any signs of water damage, discoloration and warping. If you spot any boards that need replacing, replace them. Also, keep on the lookout for any loose or rusty nails and ensure all railings and stairs are secured.
5. Repair more woodwork
Moving on from your deck, if you have any more woodwork around your back yard like fences and trellises, then these will need some TLC too. Look for signs of rot and decay and replace anything that needs replacing. Wooden structures like these are prone to deteriorate, so be sure to maintain them once they have been taken care of.
6. Inspect doors and windows
Windows and doors are often neglected when it comes to home maintenance, so once the deck and woodwork have been looked over, these are next on the list. Grab yourself a window cleaning ladder, climb up and give your windows a good spring clean. Whilst there check for any cracks, holes and damage and repair where necessary. If you do spot any holes or tears, be sure to fill them to stop any bugs and insects from crawling through.
7. Tidy the yard
The final thing on our exterior maintenance checklist is to give your back yard and landscape a thorough tidy up. Clear away any debris such as sticks and leaves that have built up over the winter, trim back overgrowth, prune your trees and assess your soil’s health. Add any supplementation that is needed.
By following this simple checklist, you will ensure the woes that your home has experienced throughout the winter are forgotten about and will ensure that your property is ready for the spring and summertime!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
