Spring has sprung & there are few of us that would prefer spending our weekend cleaning out gutters and raking up leaves. But when your home is your biggest investment, maintenance is a must. Below are some tips that can protect your investment & elevate it’s appeal.
Let’s begin outside. Shall we?
In the next few weeks the pollen and leaves from your trees will have stopped falling and wreaking havoc on your yard, gutters and sinuses. This will be the time to rake up the remaining leaves and old mulch in your landscape beds. A thin layer of new mulch or pine straw will protect plants from weeds and drought. Trees can be visually inspected for signs of disease and dead branches. Have branches trimmed back away from your roof line, as well.
Walk your property. Do you notice any cracks in the driveway, walkways or stucco? Most likely you’ll need to call a professional. How about chipping or faded paint? It may be time for a fresh coat or at least a touch up. Are there any loose or broken shingles on the roof that need to be repaired or replaced? This could be a DIY fix or a call to your roofer may be in order to prevent a bigger problem down the road. Inspect shutters and awnings for signs of wear, too. Your gutters ought to be cleaned at a minimum of twice a year, so pay attention when there’s a heavy rain. Is there little water draining from the downspout? Is water spilling over the gutter? Time to clean it out or call a professional for repair or replacement. Water that is not displaced properly can cause water to infiltrate your house. Spring is also a great time to pressure wash and give your house, deck and driveway a bath. This is a DIY job that some couples we know fight over the privilege of doing. Not you? Call a professional. Have a pool? Hire a pool service for the dirty work or take on this DIY by treating the water and inspecting valves and filters for signs of wear.
Heading inside…
This weekend is the perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke alarm & carbon monoxide detectors. Set an alarm in your phone to check these once per year with the switch to daylight savings time. Check your HVAC system & schedule your annual maintenance before the heat of summer. A technician will check your ducts for signs of damage and clean out the a/c compressor. You are changing your filters every month, right? This basic maintenance done year round will save you $ and add life to your unit. Don’t forget to check the vents in your bathrooms. Take the cover off, wash, dry and replace. Easy! Time to check your plumbing, too. Check under sinks to make sure there are no signs of leaks. The toilet flappers and faucets can be visually inspected for issues. Some of these are easy DIY fixes but others may need a professional. Fix what you can and make a call for the rest. This is a good time to dust off those houseplants, too. Wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth or take them outside for a proper soaking.
Bam Construction & Interior Design
Need a referral for any of the maintenance items above? Call us. We’re happy to help so you can get outside and enjoy all that spring in Florida has to offer!
