The Homeowners Exterior Spring Maintenance Guide

As the days get warmer and brighter and the snow and ice start to melt, we know that spring is just around the corner. While we’re all used to thinking about spring cleaning, many homeowners don’t even give a second thought to the exterior of their homes. Winter is harsh on your house and with spring comes the wet season. These two things combined are the perfect reason to do a yearly maintenance check on the exterior of your home. 

So before you get your gardens ready and start thinking about backyard barbecues, grab a ladder and some tools and get ready for some exterior spring maintenance! 

Exterior Outlets and Lights

Check your exterior outlets and lights to make sure everything is in working order. Replace any burnt-out lightbulbs. Make sure to check for critters as well! 

Examine Your Roof

Once spring hits, it’s time to check out your roof. Examine your shingles to check for damage or lost shingles over the winder. Replace any lost or damaged shingles, and if they’re all starting to look a little weathered, then it’s time to start budgeting for a replacement. 

Also make sure to check the flashing, which is that thin metal material that is used around chimneys, skylights, dormers, and roof valleys. Flashing is important because it’s used to direct water away from parts of your roof to avoid leaks. Make sure the flashing is weather-tight. Weather-tight flashing can save you from costly roof repairs in the future, so you really want to make sure you carefully inspect it.

When you’re checking your roof, make sure that you’re using a ladder that is a proper height. Never stand on the top rung of a ladder, and make sure that someone is holding it in place for you when you climb it. Try to not stand or walk on the roof, to keep yourself safe. 

Chimneys

It’s important to check both the interior and the exterior of your chimney. You’re going to look for cleaning, cracks, and loose mortar. Also, make sure to check the chimney cap to make sure it’s still there and doesn’t have any cracks or anything like that. 

For the interior, you’re going to want to look for any obstructions or build-up. You’re going to want to use a flashlight and a mirror can also help you look up the chimney. If you notice build-up that is 6mm or more, then your chimney needs a good cleaning. You can call a professional, or you can do it yourself if you feel confident and have the right tools.  

Remember to make sure that your chimney is off and not lit the entire time while you’re inspecting it. 

Check Your Siding and Trim

You’re going to want to replace any siding or trim that has started to rot before the wet season starts. While you’re checking the siding and trim for rot or damages, it’s also a good time to take stock of if it’s time to repaint your siding or not. 

Gutters and Downspouts

It’s a good idea to check your gutters and downspouts for any clogs, debris, or damage after the winter. Clean out any debris and make any repairs so that the rainfall of spring can flow freely. Clogged gutters can actually cause your trim and eaves to rot and can become a place for critters and birds to nest. And since the main purpose of your gutters and downspout is to divert water away from your foundation, clogged ones can cause water issues at your foundation. 

You can buy tools that allow you to clean your gutters from the ground, which is the safest way to clean your gutters, but it will take longer and might not be as thorough without visibility. If you use a ladder, you can clean your gutters out by hand (but make sure you’re wearing gloves) or with a scoop tool. You can also use a power washer but be prepared to wash your roof and exterior walls after because it can be messy. The power washer is especially useful for when your gutters get packed and clogged. 

Once you’ve cleaned out the gutters from clogs and debris, make sure to use a garden hose to rinse out any remaining debris and to check for leaks. 

Check Outdoor Faucets and Hose 

Check for freezing damage in your outdoor faucets and hose. Once you establish that it’s good to go and not damaged, turn the water back on from inside the home, open your outside water valve, and reconnect your hose! 

Inspect The Foundation

Cracks can happen in your foundation after the winter. If you see any cracks, you’re going to want to get them filled as soon as possible, as they can cause bigger problems with the spring rain. 

Make sure that you check the areas around the foundation as well. If you find that the ground is sloping in towards the foundation, water will pool there in the spring rainfall, so you’ll want to get the slopes filled. If you have any wood piles or junk piled up near the foundation, you’ll want to move them as damp piles are a great place for insects to breed and thrive. 

Remove The Air Conditioning Cover and Inspect 

Remove the air conditioning cover before you turn your A/C back on. Make sure to inspect the unit to make sure that there isn’t debris or creatures inside. Make sure the first time that you turn the A/C on, you go outside to the unit and check it to make sure everything is working as it should. 

Caulk/Repair Windows 

Check over your windows to make sure that they still have a nice tight seal. Gaps can happen, which cause drafts, water, and little critters inside. You’ll want to repair or fill those gaps as quickly as possible. Make sure that you scrape off the old caulking first before applying a fresh new layer. 

It might be a good idea to think about replacing your windows with energy-efficient ones if you have not upgraded your home yet. It will save you money in the long run and reduce your energy footprint. 

Check For Termites

Starting in early spring and continuing throughout is when termites swarm. Check all of the wood in the exterior of your home. If you notice holes in the wood and see winged insects in or around the area, then act quickly and call a local pest control business. 

Empty Standing Water

As the snow and ice melt, you’ll get pools of standing water in spots all over your yard. Still, standing water is where mosquitoes breed, so you’re going to want to dump out and get rid of any standing water so that you won’t be fighting off mosquitos all summer long.