GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS:

Pull leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak.

SIDING:
Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting.

EXTERIOR CAUKING:
Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating. Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and re-caulk needed areas.

WINDOWSILLS, DOORSILLS, & THRESHOLDS:
Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace if necessary.

WINDOW & DOOR SCREENS:
Clean screening and check for holes. If holes are bigger than a quarter, that is plenty of room for bugs to climb in. Patch holes or replace the screen. Save bad screen to patch holes next year. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint. Replace broken, worn, or missing hardware. Wind can ruin screens and frames if they are allowed flap and move so make sure they are securely fastened. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.

EVAPORTATIVE AIR CONDITIONER:
Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.

FOUNDATION:
Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar, call a foundation professional. If you can slide a nickel into a crack in your concrete floor, slab or foundation call a professional immediately.

ROOF:
Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits. Perform a thorough cleaning. Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls.

DECKS & PORCHES:
Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every 4-6 years, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. If the stain doesn’t look like it should or water has turned some of the wood a dark grey, hire a deck professional to treat your deck and fence.

LANDSCAPE:
This is a natural for spring home maintenance. Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home’s paint and force you to have that side of the house repainted. A little trimming can save a lot of money and time.

SPRINKLERS:
Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesn’t get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If it’s not something you can fix yourself, call a professional before your lawn needs the water.

INSPECTION SECTION

Summer Homeowner Maintenance Checklist

Preparing for Winter Maintenance

Battery Powered Pumps

Top 10 Home Inspection Defects

Fire Safety

Spring Maintenance Checklist

How to Prevent Water Damage

Condensation - A Winter Nemisis