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Now that the weather is starting to warm up, the pressure is on to finish your annual cleaning and maintenance checklist. The spring season is the perfect time to complete your exterior inspections and interior fixes before the weather gets too warm and summer activities start-upstart up in full swing. To simplify your chore list, use our below spring home maintenance checklist!
1. Home Exterior Inspection
The outside of our homes are faced with a lot during the winter, so it’s imperative that you thoroughly check the exterior of your home at least once a year. Start at the foundation and look for any cracks or shifting; keep in mind that if repairs are needed, you will want to hire professionals to complete them. Move up to your exterior walls and windows to look for signs of mold, mildew, or gaps that could expose your home’s interior to the outside elements. This is also the perfect time to give your windows – and window screens – a thorough cleaning.
End your inspection by looking at your roof and chimney. If you’re uncomfortable climbing up on your roof, a local roofing company will be able to assist in the inspection. At the least, use a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at your roofline for any loose shingles, broken gutters, or crooked chimneys.
2. Deck Cleaning
If you didn’t use your deck very frequently the last few months, chances are there is significant dirt and debris that will need to be cleaned up. Luckily, a good sweeping will take care of most of it, but if more thorough cleaning is needed, move on to your hose or power washer. Take this time to note if any loose or warped boards will need to be replaced or if your stain needs to be reapplied. Deck maintenance is not just exclusive of natural wood decks either! Composite decks also need annual cleaning; just follow a similar approach by sweeping and washing away the months of dirt accumulation.
3. Pergola Maintenance
While wooden pergolas are incredibly low maintenance, it’s always a good idea to check the structure for any integrity issues. Similar to your deck inspection, with a pergola, you will also want to keep an eye out for any loose nails or screws, boards that are warped or broken, or faded stain. Additionally, you may want to consider cleaning your pergola – especially if you notice the presence of any mildew or mold. This is also the perfect time to restain your pergola if it has been a few years since your last application, and the wood is starting to look dry or dull.
4. Fence Checkup
Last but certainly not least, set aside some time to inspect the entirety of your fence. Your fence secures your property and protects your family, so the last thing you want to happen is for the fence to be damaged. Wood naturally expands and shrinks as it contends with moisture, so keep an eye out for any unexpected gaps between your planks, as well as any splintering or breakage. Finally, as with your other exterior wood structures, determine if you should reapply your fence stain to brighten your home’s exterior and further prolong the life of your fence.
While regular maintenance should keep your home’s exterior structures in top shape, we hope that when it’s time to replace your wooden deck, pergola, or fence that you choose Austex. We look forward to assisting you!
