Spring maintenance is a critical piece of a home’s upkeep. Regularly taking the time to check a few aspects of your home is a great way to extend its lifespan and prevent unnecessary damage and repairs.

However, many homeowners don’t take the time to follow basic maintenance guidelines. This can have massive impacts on the future of the home in question. As with many things in life, this results in problems that would have been easier to address in advance than to rectify after the fact.

To help guide you through your spring maintenance, the team at Maykus Homes shares some helpful tips and tricks – read on to learn more!

Gutters & Pipes

Clogged gutters can become a nightmare for water flow, and it’s quite common for ice and leaves to clog gutters over the winter months. This can be a problem, as a few poorly-placed leaks could cause thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars of water damage. As with most maintenance tasks, preventing the issue is thankfully much easier than rectifying it. We recommend taking the time to check every exterior gutter for clogs and clean them accordingly.

This is also a great opportunity to ensure that every downspout is pointed away from walls and your foundation. Given enough time and flow, small amounts of water can accumulate and damage every surface it comes into contact with. To be sure you’re at low risk of water damage, consider reviewing the linked blog for a full run-through of water drainage safety.

Windows & Doors

You probably haven’t opened your windows or doors all winter. But now that the weather is getting nicer, it’s time to let the fresh air in! However, doing so may require some maintenance on your part, which can coincide nicely with some spring cleaning if you want to kill two birds with one stone.

Be sure to…

 

  • Check for Mold
  • Check Caulking
  • Lube Hinges and Handles
  • Check and Replace Weatherstripping
  • Wash Screens and Replace if Necessary

 

Smoke Alarms

By some estimates, some 340,000 to 360,000 American homes will burn down in a single year. Many of these house fires could be prevented with proper smoke alarm maintenance, so remember to take the time every spring to check and test smoke alarms. This should be part of a biannual smoke alarm check, so don’t think of it as a one-and-done approach – continue to add it to your regularly maintenance schedule.

Review Caulking

Cold winter weather has an impact on many parts of your home, and caulking is one of them. As warmer weather moves in take the time to inspect your exterior windows, doorframes, and siding for any obvious flaws. A good rule of thumb is to run a finger over the caulk in question. If it powders or flakes, you should consider replacing it. Once you’ve identified the suspect areas, it’s time to apply a new high-quality caulk. Be sure to remove old caulk and debris before applying, and keep tabs on the weather as well. Caulking works best when applied during moderate temperatures to allow for proper settling.

Furnace Check

Furnace issues affect some 20% of Americans annually. Unfortunately, most furnace issues stem from untreated problems that build up over time. To prevent this, take the time to schedule a quick furnace check this spring. Depending on your comfort level with changing furnace filters and checking your fan belt, this may or may not require a qualified inspector.

Roof Inspection

Ice, snow, wind, and rain all take their toll on your roof over the autumn and winter months. As winter recedes, we recommend checking for leaks or damage on your roof. Of course, ensure you take the proper precautions when getting on the roof, or consider turning to a roofing contractor. In most cases, a visual inspection from the ground is sufficient. Regardless of who inspects your roof, be sure to plan appropriately.

Call Maykus Homes

Are you considering building a custom home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Call Maykus Homes today to discuss your dream project! We’ve helped many DFW homeowners build their dream homes over the years, and would love the opportunity to help your family as well.

If you’re looking to build a custom home in the Metroplex, call Maykus Homes to get started!