Are you ready for Spring?

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

Spring's just around the corner and those blossoms will be blooming before you know it. Have you made your spring-cleaning to-do list yet? Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Prepping your home on a seasonal basis is one of the most important things you can do because in addition to increasing you’re the value of your home, it allows you to catch problems before they turn into costly repairs. Just as you wouldn't put off going to the doctor to stay on top of your health, you shouldn't neglect prepping your home for the new season. To make it as stress-free as possible, we've assembled 5 ways to best prep your home for spring.

1. Assemble Your Maintenance Toolkit

First things first: make sure you have the right tools on hand to make the job go smoothly!

Make a checklist of items that you'll always need in order to diagnose and treat the problems that flare up. You may have some of them lying around already (a flashlight and stepladder for example). There's no need to rifle through your woodshed, basement, or junk drawer – we have made a list of items to make your job easier!

• Stepladder
• Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment
• Flashlight
• Caulk and caulk gun
• Whisk broom/stiff brush
• Utility knife
• Duct Tape
• Pruning shears
• Saw

2. Become Mold’s Greatest Enemy

After the winter season, all the extra moisture can increase the chances of mold.

The areas that are prone to get damp the most should be the first places to look. Taking the form of dark blotchy spots, mold thrives under sinks, in your basement, and in the attic and crawl spaces where it's darkest. If you’re finding a lot of mold, it's best to try to stop the source rather than clean up individual spots. Proper sealing and air circulation helps stop mold, but we recommend also working with specialty contractors who can help you pinpoint where the problems are so you can banish mold for good.

3. Root out Wood Rot

As you check your basement for mold, make sure you're on the watch for signs of soft, brittle, or crumbly wood.

This is wood rot, and it should replaced immediately, as it can adversely affect your home's structure. Keep an eye on it through spring and if you're seeing more wood rot forming, consider getting a dehumidifier for the basement, as this will significantly cut down on excess moisture.

4. Check the Washer & Dryer

How often do you check the hoses on your washer? Make sure they don’t have any tears or cracks.

A flood caused while doing laundry doesn't just rob you of clean clothes, it also robs you of your budget if it's all going to repairs. Lint that builds up in your dryer can also be a fire hazard, so we recommend a thorough cleaning to make sure the air can properly vent. First, shut off the gas or electric going to the dryer. Then use a long, thick wire brush to sweep out excess lint in the vent pipe and under the dryer enclosure. Use the skinny vacuum attachment to make sure everything gets sucked up. Just be careful not to damage the wires and mechanical parts of the dryer.

5. Protect the Foundation

Intense winter storms can really do a number on a house, even right down to the foundation.

Check around your house for any cracks or signs of stress on the foundation. If you see anything, call a professional to properly assess what needs to be done. Also make sure to inspect the concrete slabs under your HVAC system or heat pump. These are easy to repair with a concrete crack filler, polyurethane sealant or silicone caulk.