Since the latter part of December the northern part of the U.S. has been experiencing what many weather experts are calling a polar vortex, leaving many residents hoping for brighter and sunnier spring days and chances to start on some home improvements.
On every home improvement or repair site there are spring checklists and to-do lists that inspire and often time intimidate. Some focus on interior repairs while others focus of exterior and garden repairs that seem to require a five man team and a camera crew. Where are the basic home improvement ideas that can be started now? Right here, we have compiled a list of the top Spring Repairs every home will need.
Roof Repairs
Sometimes it is so easy to overlook the one thing that truly shields us from the elements, our roofs. The task of evaluating our roofs is often put off until severe issues or damages arise. Spring is the perfect time to get up on those roofs or call a professional to evaluate your roof for you. Routine inspections can alert you to any cracks, peeling, buckling or crackling occurring.
Signs that an aging roof may be in need of some repair:
- Blister, which can the result of shoddy roofing work or inadequate ventilation
- Crackling which can lead to brittle shingles
- Curling, this usually occurs during colder months and after extreme weather conditions
Gussy Up Your Gutters and Other Rivets and Ducts
There are few features on or within your house that work as hard as your gutters. Show them your appreciation by cleaning them out and maintaining them well into next winter. Trees, foliage and water can clog or stand in gutters, keeping them from working for you.
Other outdoor features that may need your attention:
- Down sprouts
- Screens
- Metal pieces that a susceptible to rust
- Rivets
- Hinges
Fresh Paint
Every few years a home needs a fresh coat of paint. Painting not only brightens your home it can prevent damage from occurring. Examine your home for chipped or cracking paint, especially if your home is made of wood or has wooden components. Chipping painting and peeling paint can expose the wood to weather conditions that can cause it to rot prematurely.
Tips to refresh your cracking paint:
- Pressure-wash home to remove set in dirt (this should be done monthly or bi-monthly)
- Scrape off the cracking, chipping or peeling paint
- Sand down the wood (if you have a wooden structure)
- Apply primer and let dry
- Apply fresh paint
A Little Air Conditioning TLC
If you have an air conditioning system it is either working for you, or working against you. Air conditioning that works for you has fresh filters, and proper ventilation. These systems can remove humidity and moisture from your home during warm months and help to prevent foundation damage in the future such as mold, rotting and cracks. If you encounter any issues you should contact a local technician or your local master handyman.
Things to check during routine AC maintenance:
- Is there dirt or dust clogging anything
- Does the hose have any leaks or holes
- Are Drain pans full of water
Windows and Doors
Much like your air conditioning system, windows and doors can either work with you or against you. Doors shouldn't be drafty or leaky and neither should your windows. Doors and windows that have these issues can present bigger problems down the line and in most cases placing a towel or sheet against drafty areas only mask the problem.
Drafty and leaky windows and doors can cause many issues that include:
- High energy bills
- Pests and rodents entering your home
- Water leaks and damage
- Foundation damage
- Mold growth
Inspect Your Plumbing
Plumbing issues can be some of the stinkiest and most costly messes to tackle when they aren't addressed sooner. Plumbing issues can go unnoticed if a keen eye isn't trained on them. Spring is the perfect time to inspect your plumbing since most of your time is spent cleaning those areas where plumbing happens anyway. Damage to plumbing systems can cause mold, water damage and give off awful smells.
Plumbing issues that should be checked:
- Leaky faucets
- Wetness around dishwasher
- Long running toilets
- Slow moving drains
- Washing machine hoses- check for cracks, holes or leaks
- Excessive water on the outside of the home, this could be underground plumbing issues.
- Unusual smells from under the sink or around the toilets (besides the obvious)
Nurture Your Garden or Lawn
This is the first area of your home that guests and passersby encounter. Things like leaves, over grown bushes and grass, weeds and ant piles can make your lawn and garden look like the pits. If you don't have much grass, you may want to consider adding mulch and grass feed to spruce up your lawn.
A typical lawn and garden check list includes:
- Rake left over leaves from fall and winter
- Pull weeds
- Cut back hedges
- Lay down fresh mulch
- Purchase grass-feed and weed killers
- Pressure-wash your driveway
- Change out flowers and plants with lower maintenance ones (sun flowers, pansies or begonias)
- Destroy ant mounds- use grits(natural remedy) or buy ant killer products
Get Started
On every home improvement or repair site there are spring checklists and to-do lists that inspire and often time intimidate. Some focus on interior repairs while others focus of exterior and garden repairs that seem to require a five man team and a camera crew. Where are the basic home improvement ideas that can be started now? Right here, we have compiled a list of the top Spring Repairs every home will need.
Roof Repairs
Sometimes it is so easy to overlook the one thing that truly shields us from the elements, our roofs. The task of evaluating our roofs is often put off until severe issues or damages arise. Spring is the perfect time to get up on those roofs or call a professional to evaluate your roof for you. Routine inspections can alert you to any cracks, peeling, buckling or crackling occurring.
Signs that an aging roof may be in need of some repair:
- Blister, which can the result of shoddy roofing work or inadequate ventilation
- Crackling which can lead to brittle shingles
- Curling, this usually occurs during colder months and after extreme weather conditions
Gussy Up Your Gutters and Other Rivets and Ducts
There are few features on or within your house that work as hard as your gutters. Show them your appreciation by cleaning them out and maintaining them well into next winter. Trees, foliage and water can clog or stand in gutters, keeping them from working for you.
Other outdoor features that may need your attention:
- Down sprouts
- Screens
- Metal pieces that a susceptible to rust
- Rivets
- Hinges
Fresh Paint
Every few years a home needs a fresh coat of paint. Painting not only brightens your home it can prevent damage from occurring. Examine your home for chipped or cracking paint, especially if your home is made of wood or has wooden components. Chipping painting and peeling paint can expose the wood to weather conditions that can cause it to rot prematurely.
Tips to refresh your cracking paint:
- Pressure-wash home to remove set in dirt (this should be done monthly or bi-monthly)
- Scrape off the cracking, chipping or peeling paint
- Sand down the wood (if you have a wooden structure)
- Apply primer and let dry
- Apply fresh paint
A Little Air Conditioning TLC
If you have an air conditioning system it is either working for you, or working against you. Air conditioning that works for you has fresh filters, and proper ventilation. These systems can remove humidity and moisture from your home during warm months and help to prevent foundation damage in the future such as mold, rotting and cracks. If you encounter any issues you should contact a local technician or your local master handyman.
Things to check during routine AC maintenance:
- Is there dirt or dust clogging anything
- Does the hose have any leaks or holes
- Are Drain pans full of water
Windows and Doors
Much like your air conditioning system, windows and doors can either work with you or against you. Doors shouldn't be drafty or leaky and neither should your windows. Doors and windows that have these issues can present bigger problems down the line and in most cases placing a towel or sheet against drafty areas only mask the problem.
Drafty and leaky windows and doors can cause many issues that include:
- High energy bills
- Pests and rodents entering your home
- Water leaks and damage
- Foundation damage
- Mold growth
Inspect Your Plumbing
Plumbing issues can be some of the stinkiest and most costly messes to tackle when they aren't addressed sooner. Plumbing issues can go unnoticed if a keen eye isn't trained on them. Spring is the perfect time to inspect your plumbing since most of your time is spent cleaning those areas where plumbing happens anyway. Damage to plumbing systems can cause mold, water damage and give off awful smells.
Plumbing issues that should be checked:
- Leaky faucets
- Wetness around dishwasher
- Long running toilets
- Slow moving drains
- Washing machine hoses- check for cracks, holes or leaks
- Excessive water on the outside of the home, this could be underground plumbing issues.
- Unusual smells from under the sink or around the toilets (besides the obvious)
Nurture Your Garden or Lawn
This is the first area of your home that guests and passersby encounter. Things like leaves, over grown bushes and grass, weeds and ant piles can make your lawn and garden look like the pits. If you don't have much grass, you may want to consider adding mulch and grass feed to spruce up your lawn.
A typical lawn and garden check list includes:
- Rake left over leaves from fall and winter
- Pull weeds
- Cut back hedges
- Lay down fresh mulch
- Purchase grass-feed and weed killers
- Pressure-wash your driveway
- Change out flowers and plants with lower maintenance ones (sun flowers, pansies or begonias)
- Destroy ant mounds- use grits(natural remedy) or buy ant killer products
Get Started
This list may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Some home owners may find that they don't need to tackle all of the items on the checklist. Pick and choose your battles, if you recognize that your roof and gutters are in the most need—tackle those tasks. If tasks prove to be too great call your local specialist or handyman to get the ball rolling on your house improvement after this cold and frigid winter. And remember, you don't have to be a HGTV or master handyman to spruce up your home take those inspirations and apply what you can do-JT Handyman
