Spring Home Maintenance

Home Fridays recommends spring maintenance for all home owners.  For our second home owners we are watching over their homes regularly to make sure the maintenance schedule is followed, the home is in good repair. 

After such a rough winter it is time to look over the home and fix any problems and prepare for the season ahead.  There is no such thing as ‘maintenance free’ – all building materials deteriorate over time.  So maintenance is an ongoing process that is best done before the problems arise.  Being proactive in your maintenance will put you in the drivers seat.  It is also the most cost effective way to take care of your home and see it appreciate, not depreciate. 

            Spring Maintenance

·         Rake debris away from home and foundation  inspect the foundation for cracks, water damage and or drainage issues

·         Clean exterior gutters and downspouts and repair where necessary cleaning the gutters will allow for smooth water flow as the rain storms begin.  It is also a good time to get the repairs made that occurred during the winter – holes, pulled away from the house or downspouts missing or bent.

·         Clear away plants and bushes from dryer spout  Often times a slow dryer is the result of the vent blocked.  Be sure the plants, water and landscaping materials are all well clear of the vent.

·         Inspect foundation and crawl space for signs of water damage  Looks for any signs of water intrusion and get them repaired now.  Also, keep an eye out for any mold that may have started as a result of water damage  It only takes 48 hours for mold to get started in a warm damp environment..  With all the snow and water this winter it is not unusual to find some areas of water intrusion.

·         Inspect attic for any signs of moisture or roof leaks  It is always better to find the leak when it is a small sign of water in the attic and not a waterfall coming through the living room.

·         Inspect the roof for any damage that may have occurred over the winter – broken tiles, missing tiles or noticeable signs of excessive wear.  When in doubt have a trusted roofing company inspect the roof.·         Inspect decks and perform annual maintenance – sanding and refinishing and replacement of any rotting or damaged boards and support beams  Weather, birds or old age can be devastating to the decks in our high desert climate.  ·         Inspect for woodpecker and other bird damage and take action to repair and prevent further damage with bird blocks, netting or even the new touch caulking products.  Bird damage can be a big issue in Central Oregon and exclusion is the ideal, but also being proactive to make sure you fix the damage as quickly as possible is key.

·         Exam exterior and paint and or caulk the exterior  Painting is an expensive endeavor and one many homeowners post pone as long as possible.  By putting it off the job becomes more expensive – this is a great area to proactive and get painted in a timely manner. 

·         Annual air conditioner maintenance and filter change  Nothing is worse then no air on the hottest day of the year.  Schedule your annual maintenance and change those filters regularly.

·         Smoke alarm batteries should be changed annually  Smoke detectors are great – but they won’t do any good if the batteries are not working.  And there is nothing worse then the 3am wake up call with the alarms beeping.  So change the batteries ever year and be safe.

·         Start up the sprinklers, replace and redirect as necessary  Time for the spring clean up of the needles, the downed branches, trimming the trees and starting up the sprinklers.  The lawn won’t recover if you don’t have the sprinklers working correctly.