’Tis the season for home maintenance projects and your certified home inspector’s report is a good place to start building a plan. After a rough winter, marginal issues included in the report might be worse or perhaps new issues have popped up. Either way, follow your inspector’s strategy for a top-down, inside-out mini inspection and tackle projects that can help preserve your investment.
Winter is Especially Hard on Roofing
After a freezing, raining, windy or otherwise unsavory winter season, a home’s roof might need some extra attention. Marginal issues during the home inspection might become full-blown defects once the weather changes for the warm season. A call to a roofing expert may repair issues before they warrant a full tear off and replacement. HGTV says summer is harsh on shingles, too, so plan another inspection when fall rolls around.
What to check
- Metal roof fasteners
- Moss in shady roof valleys
- Loose flashing
- Loose or clogged gutters and downspouts
- Shingle damage
- Signs of roof leaks inside the attic
Insects are Waking and Hatching
Now that the weather is warming up, insects of all shapes and sizes are waking up and hatching. Your home inspection might not have revealed damage from termites, wood-boring bees or other annoying bugs, but new damage can happen at any time. You might eradicate wasps on your own, but some insects need professional extermination.
What to check
- Framing members in the crawlspace
- Decks and porches
- Surface “tunnels” on masonry foundation
- Soil around the foundation
- Nests tucked into the eaves and attic
Fresh caulk costs pennies compared to the damage that it helps prevent.
Siding and Windows Need Attention
Springtime offers mild weather for you to wash or paint the siding and window trim. While you’re checking the level of dirt you’ll need to remove or paint to scrape, also look for signs of damage. Catch it early and Bob Vila says you can help prevent water and insect infiltration later.
What to check
- Cracked mortar
- Lifted siding
- Holes or other impact damage
- Loose fasteners
- Failed or missing caulk
- Water damage
- Loose or missing window glazing putty
- Fogged window glass (indicated a broken multi-pane seal)
Give the Air Conditioning a Once-Over
Depending on where you live, you might need air conditioning now or a little later. Check out the unit, whether you have window air conditioners or a central system, and you can avoid expensive repairs during high-demand weather. Once you’ve checked the easily-accessible areas and either cleaned or replaced what needs it, Angie’s List recommends running the system through its paces.
What to check
- Debris on the unit housing
- Air filter and vent cover
- Correctly placed drain line and drain pan
- Exterior pipe insulation
Everything wakes in spring. Plants pop up, birds return and the weather grows a lot more favorable for home maintenance projects. Start with a walk around the property and tackle any general cleanup. For example, move firewood away from the house if you’ve stored it nearby through the colder months.
Take a tip from home inspectors: take photos of your property, upload them to your home computer and examine them closely. You might spot more than you could by just walking around the home. The more maintenance issues you find today, the better your chances of keeping maintenance manageable throughout the warm months.
If you’re not quite to the home maintenance stage, we can help the home buying process go a little more smoothly. Put Hire an Inspector to work and we’ll find a qualified home inspector near you.