One of the highlights of the arrival of the spring season is the melting away of snow. But while most people rejoice at the onset of warm temperatures, homeowners do have a little work to put in to make sure their home remains in tip-top shape.
Consider the following suggestions for vital maintenance tasks to perform as winter transitions into spring.
During Winter's End
As winter is receding, yet still lingering, there are a number of simple and effective steps you can take to help protect your home.
After every snowfall, be sure to brush or knock off the snow from trees and shrubbery. Use a broom or another implement, but be careful not to shake a tree as this can cause fragile limbs to snap. Likewise, be sure to shovel snow away from the area around the base of your home to reduce the risk of meltwater causing damage.
The other important task to take care of during this time is keeping your gutters clean. As snow melts, it turns to liquid that can then re-freeze during the night. This creates what's known as an "ice dam," which will prevent your gutters from being able to channel away liquid water. If possible, remove snow from your roof as often as you can.
Gutter Clean-up
No matter how diligent you were as winter was ending, it's likely you'll need to do a thorough cleaning of your gutters in the springtime.
Remove dead leaves, dirt, and other debris. If there's too much to easily scoop out by hand, use a garden hose to blast it out with a steady stream of water. This is especially effective in corners and with downspouts that are hard to reach with your hands.
And be sure to inspect the bottom of the gutter for a build-up of little grains that have been washed off your roof shingles. If you see a large amount of roof shingle grains in a section of gutter, you'll need to get your roof inspected and potentially replace broken or damaged shingles.
Inspect Your Roof
Even if it looks good from afar, take the time to take a good, long look at your roof. If you have a ladder, you can get up close and personal, but using binoculars or a telephoto lens from the ground also works.
Keep an eye out for missing roof shingles, shingles that look warped or curled, anything that looks rusty, discolourations around windows (especially skylights), and anything else out of the ordinary. Remember, preventative maintenance on your roof is far cheaper than cleaning up after a serious leak.
Examine the Rest of Your Home's Exterior
While the roof is your priority, it's also a good idea to do a full sweep of the exterior of your home.
Of most importance is any exposed wooden surfaces where paint has been chipped or worn away. Exposed wood is highly subject to rot, so it'll need staining, varnishing, or repainting as soon as possible.
Also keep an eye out for any other type of damage, such as chips or gouges in siding or skirting, water stains, or anything else that looks out of place. If you have attic windows, inspect them from the outside to ensure they are unbroken.
Pay special attention to the area of your home underneath the eaves and around gutter downspouts. These are the places where water damage is most likely. Also do a visual check of your foundation, looking for any cracks or damage. If you see anything green or vegetative growing on or around masonry or concrete, this is a clear sign that there's too much water in the area.
Driveways and Walkways
Winter can be harsh on paved surfaces such as driveways and walkways. A combination of a freeze/thaw cycle and caustic substances like salt or sand can cause incredible transformations.
Look for buckling, warping, deep cracks, or sinkholes, as these indicate that serious damage has occurred. If your concrete and paved areas look okay, see if they need a fresh application of sealant in order to be in good shape for wet weather ahead.
Decks, Fencing, and Latticework
Anything that's made of wood and is outdoors during the winter is subject to damage. Inspect your decks, fencing, and latticework, looking for any popped nails, warping, or loosened boards.
Even if everything seems to be in good shape, it can be a good idea to apply a new coat of paint, stain, or sealer to your outdoor wooden items.
Flower Beds and Gardens
Once the last bit of snow has melted away, your once lush landscape, flowerbeds and gardens, often look unkempt.
Do a quick inspection of trees and shrubbery to make sure they're healthy. If you find any broken or fallen branches, spring is the best time to prune these so the plants can grow back. Likewise, trim back any overgrowth that's getting too close to your house.
Make a plan for your flowerbed and/or vegetable garden, weeding and removing debris so you'll be ready to start digging once the weather warms up enough.
With just a little bit of work, it's easy to help your home recover from winter's wrath. Once the snow has melted away, get outside and give your home a thorough visual inspection. Repair anything that's broken, and perform basic maintenance on your driveways, garden, and deck. You'll thank yourself when you can sit back in a lawn chair and admire your healthy home.
Inside the home, it's always a great idea to do a deep spring cleaning. This year, why not try and get your home gleaming with green cleaning?
