Article Take Over: Spring Home Maintenance with Giddens Property Service

Homeowners, here is your Spring Home Maintenance check list

Spring has sprung! And this has us at Giddens Property Service jumping for joy because there’s nothing better than fresh spring air and new blooms coming up to color our city. But we’re also excited because that means spring home projects get underway! To that end, we have a list of 5 things that every homeowner should check on as the winter melts away.

1. Seepage in your basement, and new water spot on ceilings, walls, and floors.

Chances are if your basement has cracks in its foundation, you’ll find out the hard way as the snow melts and spring rain showers begin. An unfinished basement is easy to spot where water is flowing in and standing, but if your basement is finished you may only notice small spots on the walls or a little wet corner on the floor. These can be signs of bigger issues, that water is flowing where you definitely don’t want it to. Be sure to check all the rooms, looking over each wall and every corner, in your basement thoroughly, and take a flashlight to those areas that aren’t well lit.

2. Inspect your gutters and downspouts.

Spring is the perfect time to check on your gutters and downspouts to be sure there wasn’t any damage done during winter storms. Cracks in the metal or bent/missing pieces are all things that should be addressed right away. And if your gutters weren’t cleaned in the last 6 months it's likely there is a build up of leaves and debris, or more sadly, birds or rodents (yes, we’ve seen this ) that may be clogging your gutter system. For the sake of your home’s foundation, it’s important to have the water coming off your roof leading away from your house, and cleared gutters and downspouts are the key to this.

3. Air-tight check doors and windows.

If you’ve ever noticed that your energy bill skyrockets during the colder months, checking on your exterior windows and doors can help problem solve. It’s normal for older houses to become drafty as they age and let in or out the heat or AC that you’re running. By checking the frames of your windows and doors during a windy spring day, you’ll be able to feel the cool air flowing through. Do you have double paned windows that have become foggy and hard to see through, or collect water in between the panes? These are surefire ways to tell that your thermal windows/doors have become compromised and are no longer insulated properly.

4. Inspect your outdoor wooden fixtures.

Inspect your deck, patio, shed, and outside trim for damage or wood rot. Do you have wood siding on your house? You’ll want to carefully inspect the entire house for any damage or peeling/chipping paint as well. Wood rot is something that happens often to structures made from wood, and it leads to the wood becoming soft and mushy, easily buckling under pressure. It can worsen with standing snow, ice, and water throughout the years. If you have peeling or chipping paint on your deck, patio or siding it leaves the wood underneath vulnerable to weathering and potential wood rot.

((We always recommend that all outside treated wood be stained or painted to help protect it from the elements. Any boards or siding panels that show signs of wood rot must be torn out and replaced with new.))

5. Check seals on outside lights and spigots.

Damage from storms and the elements can weather your outdoor light fixtures and if the fixture is not sealed to your siding water can get in behind the fixture and corrode the electrical components of your lighting. The age of your lighting also plays a roll, as the seal to the house can give way after some years. Checking each fixture and seal for your lights is always good practice in the spring. Spigots are commonly forgotten about as they usually require little to no maintenance, but it’s important to check if there is ice build up in the waterline from the house to the outside wall. If there is a blockage in your plumbing, you’ll see an expanded pipe that is likely to burst. If you do find a distressed pipe this is something that should be addressed immediately.

Checking on and tackling these maintenance items each year will ensure that your small spring projects stay small and don’t compound into big expenses for you in the future. As Your Rockford Handyman, we at Giddens Property Service have seen all these things and more in our customer’s houses. We know just what we’re looking for and how to remedy these problems in a quick and efficient way, so if you’re finding yourself confused about what you’re seeing or overwhelmed by the process, give us a call. We’d love to help with these repairs and recommend what the next steps are.

Contact us at (815) 354-2071 or mark@giddenspropertyservice.com

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