Why: Prevents damage to your home's interior if flooding occurs through the foundation and walls. Clogged gutters cause water to sit, possibly allowing the water to seep in near your roof.
Why: A leaky or damaged roof can cause major problems to the inside of your home, resulting in expensive repair costs. You'll want to inspect both the inside and outside of your home to discover possible warning signs of roof damage.
Why: Wet basements and rotted wood often mean that there is a leaky pipe in the walls, a downspout that isn't draining away from the house, or possibly moisture coming in through a cracked concrete foundation.
Why: You notice a sour smell around your chimney or see significant creosote buildup.
When: Spring
Who can help: Though you can inspect the cap and masonry of your own chimney if you're brave enough to get on top of your roof, we advise you to contact a professional chimney sweep.
Check siding for evidence of decay, splitting, cracking, or insect damage
Why: Regular maintenance keeps your siding looking new and lasting longer against the elements and unwanted pests. Whether it's vinyl, wood, or metal siding, all three types need to be maintained differently.
Why: Removes harmful mold and mildew as well as gets rid of dirt that makes your home look older. Brightens sidewalks and driveways to complement the rest of the landscaping.
Why: You don't want to break off your key in a keyhole that's been left untreated for too long.
When: Spring
Who can help: You can try graphite powder or WD-40 on your own. However, if you still have issues with your keyholes, contact a locksmith for more assistance.
Why: These barriers help keep out pests and whatever else the wind wants to blow into your home. If you have holes bigger than a quarter, you'll want to consider replacing the screen.
Why: If your home has symptoms of foundation problems like cracks in walls, sticking and swinging doors, or uneven floors, it may need foundation repair.
When: Spring
Who can help: Contact an experienced contractor to get an accurate analysis of your home and design a foundation repair solution.
Why: Storm windows and doors help keep in heated air during harsh winter conditions. Once spring comes around, it's time to put the storm windows and doors away.
When: Spring
Who can help: Though you probably could do the job yourself with a stepladder and a partner, call a window professional if you find the job is too hard to complete.
Why: You want to avoid unsightly cracks in the driveway that take away from the exterior of your home. Also, some cracks are so severe that they could be considered safety hazards.
When: Spring
Who can help: Find a concrete professional who specializes in driveway repairs so you'll know the severity of the job at hand.
Why: After the harsh winter cold where you probably kept the heat going more than usual, you'll want to get the entire system checked to make sure everything is in working order. Also, if you want to consider having your air ducts inspected for any mold or dust deposits, now is a good time to do this.
When: Spring, Fall
Who can help: The company that services your heating and cooling system will be an excellent source of advice. Or, contact other heating and cooling professionals to schedule an inspection.
Why: Though you should be checking your filters once a month, a good rule of thumb is to get in the habit of checking them at the beginning of each cooling and heating season (spring and fall). Dirty filters slow air down, making the system work harder to heat or cool your home.
When: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Monthly is best.)
Who can help: Replacing filters are extremely easy and fairly inexpensive. However, call your local professionals who specialize in servicing your heating and A/C system if you'd like to leave this task up to them.
Drain and perform maintenance on your hot water heater
Why: It prolongs the life of the hot water heater if you remove minerals left behind in the tank. Clogged drain valves slow down the efficiency of the hot water heater, costing you more money in the long run.
When: Spring, Fall
Who can help: Not everyone is comfortable with draining hot water in this manner due to the possibility of getting scalded and burned. Consult with a professional plumber who can advise you on the best method to drain your hot water heater.
Why: Your lawnmower has been out of commission (or hibernation, if you will) for several months. You'll need to make sure the oil is changed, the blade is sharpened, the spark plug is firing, and the fuel and air filters are clean when the grass starts to green.
When: Spring
Who can help: If you don't want to fool with the hassle of tuning up your mower, contact local lawn service professionals who can get your mower ready for the grass-cutting season.
Check your irrigation system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly-working sprinkler heads
Why: Did you accidentally mow over a sprinkler head last year and you're just now realizing that it's not working properly? Bad valves and broken irrigation pipes can spell major damage and higher water bills if you're not careful.
When: Spring
Who can help: Hire a qualified sprinkler repair person to assess the various problems you may be encountering and give you an estimate on what it'll cost to fix them.
Apply a pre-emergent to your lawn if you worry about weeds
Why: Weeds can quickly overtake your lawn if you don't take action at the right time. In the same manner that you'd put crabgrass pre-emergent down in the winter time to stop the growth at the beginning of the spring, try to get a feel as to when weeds begin to sprout in your climate area. Count backwards three weeks from that time period and plan to apply a pre-emergent for weeds then.
When: Spring
Who can help: If you've missed the time frame for applying a pre-emergent, contact your local lawn professionals to help you eliminate unsightly weeds.
Why: Not resealing and/or staining your deck every year causes discoloration, dirtiness, roughness, and the likelihood of splintering.
When: Spring
Who can help: Find a local deck professional that can clean and reseal your deck for several hundred dollars, or buy the materials you need at your local home center.
Why: Overgrown bushes and vegetation don't just create eyesores for you and your neighbors. By not trimming them back, you're actually harming the plant/shrub's growth. Also, keep in mind that high bushes can often be great hiding places for thieves looking to get into your house.
Why: Since your pool was shut down for the winter, you'll need to verify that the filtration system and other parts are in working order before you jump in for the first cannonball of the swim season.
Why: Though the spring is when the grass starts to grow, you'll need a plan to prepare for the hot summer months when lawns are stressed and weeds can potentially take over.
When: Spring
Who can help: Find a qualified lawn professional that can get you on a program that will ensure the life of your lawn.
