You’ve probably heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”. But what you may not realize is that April showers can also bring wind and water damage to the exterior of your home. And while Wisconsin is a beautiful place to call home, any true Wisconsinite knows that the harsh weather of America’s dairyland can really milk your home repair budget dry. With over 50 years of experience in the home exterior restoration industry, we know a little thing or two about what to look for to make sure your home is in shipshape for summer. We’ve put together a short list of 5 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring so you can be proactive with your home maintenance, quickly recover from winter’s abusive weather, easily add summer preparation to this year’s spring cleaning regimen.
1. Roof
Is it really any surprise that roof “tops” our list of things to check for this spring? A few missing or loose shingles might not seem like that big of a deal, but the damage is likely to get worse the longer you wait to fix it. In addition to looking unsightly, shingles that are buckled, curled, or cracked allow wind and water to get underneath them. This can lead to leaks, mold, and poor air circulation in your attic and other parts of the house. So, it’s a good idea to inspect your roof for winter damage every spring.
2. Chimney
We’re not just “blowing smoke” when we say that it’s important to inspect your chimney for exterior damage as well. The flashing around your chimney should be firmly attached and secure. Take some time to check for any loose bricks or stones. Mortar that is chipping or flaking is a sure sign that your chimney needs to be resealed.
3. Gutters
For this one, it’s better to get your mind “in” the gutter rather than “out of”. Look to see if the gutters are loose or leaky. Check the eavestroughs and downspouts for debris that will slow or stop water flow. Leaf guards help slow down the collection of debris in your gutters, and you won’t have to clean them as often. But all unattended gutters and downspouts will clog eventually. So make sure yours are clear. Otherwise you’ll provide pesky mosquitoes, (aka “Wisconsin’s state bird”), with plenty of standing water to breed in around your home.
Next, make sure the downspouts drain away from the foundation. If they don’t, rain water may run toward your home’s foundation instead of away from it. If this is the case, have them fixed to avoid water damage to your foundation or basement.
4. Attic
Continuing with our “top down” approach to home maintenance this spring, it’s important to assess you attic for mold and moisture. Finding either of these is a tell-tale sign of inadequate insulation or improper venting. Since attics aren’t always utilized as livable space, it can be easy to forget about or dismiss these issues. But insufficient insulation allows heat to escape, increases the cost of your utility bills, and increases your risk of ice dams forming. This may not seem like an urgent fix in light of the warmer weather, but real Wisconsinites know that winter is 9 months out of the year. Take a look around your attic in the spring, and you’ll have plenty of time to schedule maintenance and repairs long before the next freeze.
5. Siding & Trim
Although we hate to end on a “side note”, it’s also important to inspect the integrity of your home’s exterior siding and trim. One of the easiest ways to do this is to take a flat-head screwdriver and sort of poke and pry between your siding and trim to make sure there aren’t any gaps or spaces where water can get in. You should also look for any cracks or loose cladding that could expose walls to the elements and lead to further damage.
Following these 5 tips for home maintenance this spring will ensure your home is tip-top shape for the coming year. If you’re not entirely sure what to look for, or if you find evidence that your home is in need of repair, simply give us a call at (414) 376-5568 or send us an email to set up your free estimate and inspection.