There is more to spring cleaning than tidying up around the house. Outdoor spring cleaning and maintenance are necessary for the safety and health of your home. Routine maintenance helps keep your property in good condition and gives you the chance to detect problems early. Here are some basic exterior tasks for you to tackle when the weather begins to warm up.
Clean the Gutters
During fall and winter, the guttering channels become filled with leaves, sticks, and other debris that could clog the gutters if not cleared away. When it rains in the spring and summer, the gutters should effectively drain the water off the roof and away from the home. Functional gutters funnel water away from your foundation and prevent overflowing water from contributing to roof leaks and landscape damage.
Outdoor Spring Cleaning: Inspect the Roof
While you’re cleaning out the gutters, take a few minutes to survey your roof for damage. Snow, ice, and wind can break shingles or tear them away from home, causing the roof to leak. Mold and algae growth on the materials can lead to rot. Removing twigs and branches from the roof and replacing shingles that are curled, broken, or missing will help prepare your home for spring rain showers.
Maintain the AC Unit
If you have an air conditioner, schedule a service appointment with an HVAC pro. Keeping the AC running properly is essential for spring, especially as temperatures are on the rise. If a minor issue goes unnoticed, it could become more severe and leave you without air conditioning during the middle of the summer. Request an annual check-up with a professional to prevent air conditioning problems in hot weather.
Prepare the Deck
Winter weather can affect the materials of outdoor structures such as stairs and decks. Inspect them for signs of deterioration like cracks, decay, splintering wood, and loose fasteners. Replace badly damaged or warped decking boards. After making the deck stable and safe, clean the surface well. Apply a weather-proofing product to protect the wood through the spring and summer months.
Other Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Let’s look at a few other ways to maintain your property and get it ready for warm weather.
- Clear your lawn of sticks and leaves. This will make lawn-mowing easier, and you’ll improve curb appeal.
- Add fresh mulch to flower beds.
- Check all outdoor lighting to make sure the bulbs are working. Clean the fixtures, including glass globes, to brighten outdoor spaces.
- Rent a pressure washer to clean your home’s siding.
These projects are more cosmetic but will help your home look its best. Make a list of tasks you want to accomplish when outdoor spring cleaning so you’ll have a checklist to keep track of your progress.
Digs Doctor Home Inspections provides inspection services to Charlotte and the surrounding areas of North and South Carolina. Contact us to request an appointment.