As the weather warms up and moving around outside becomes more appealing, there are plenty of things you can do to help maintain your house from beyond your home’s interior. There are also a few seasonal-related appliances that need to be inspected before it gets too hot. Let’s take a look at some key areas that will demand your attention as a new homeowner.
If you own anything resembling a modern home, you no doubt have an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system. They need to be maintained to work properly. Your mission:
Homeowners could potentially spend entire springs and summers up on their roofs looking for problem areas and figuring out how to best address them. We’ll just focus on a couple:
While this should be done periodically throughout the year (especially again in fall), early spring is an essential time to clean them, before the heavy rains of April and May.
Gutter cleaning: You’ll need a sturdy extension ladder, a bucket for collecting debris and a helper to steady things from below. Depending on the square footage of your house, you may want to consider breaking down this activity over a couple weekends. Simply scoop and remove.
Some folks like to use leaf blowers or portable power vacs to assist them. There are also tools available to help you clean gutters while staying safely on the ground. Check with your local hardware store for more information
Downspouts: Clearing your downspouts of debris is every bit as important as cleaning your gutters. The best method is to take a leaf blower and insert the nozzle into the end of your downspout at ground level and turn the device on. It will send a powerful burst of air all the way up to the roof and loosen any debris that might restrict the passage of water.
You can also gently tap your downspout with the backside of a hammer to loosen any blockage or even use a pipe snake or a garden hose. Just insert the hose or pipe snake and work it up until you can’t go any higher, moving it back and forth. For hoses, turning on the water at full blast (briefly) can also dislodge any buildup.
You'll need to get back on your ladder and inspect things up close and personal. We realize this isn’t for everyone, but regular roof maintenance is important and can prevent costly repairs down the road.
Inspect shingles: While the best way to inspect your roof is to get up there and walk around (very carefully, of course), many DIY experts contend that all you need is a proper vantage point and good pair of binoculars. Either way, you’re looking for:
If there are damaged shingles, this is a red flag and a telltale sign that you need to bring in a roofing expert to address the issue.
If you're not up for the DIY side of things, please take a look to any HBA Dayton member who can provide those services. Remember, when working with a HBA Dayton member you can rest assured you are dealing with the residential construction experts in the Dayton region who provide value, professionalism, and most importantly, trust!