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Spring Home Maintenance

Submitted by Lorene Bartos, UNL Extension Educator

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Has your house had it's semi-annual check up? With warm weather finally here it is time to give your house a check up and do spring maintenance. By doing maintenance and taking care of the home periodically major repairs can be prevented or reduced. Taking time now will save time, energy and money in the future.

Maintenance should be done inside and outside. It is especially important to take a tour around the outside of the home and check for any problems that might have occurred over the winter.

By doing routine inspections you get to know your home, its condition and how it is aging. Always keep a record of maintenance and repairs you do. Keeping a record of repairs is valuable, especially if you decide to sell your home.

Start the tour by walking around the outside of the home and inspect the house structure. Look from top to bottom, also porches, deck, patio and garage. Is there paint chipping, board cracking, or roof problems

When inspecting the roof, look for:

• loose, curled, damaged or missing shingles
• loose, rusting or deteriorating flashing around chimneys, flues, dormers, etc. and tree branches rubbing on the roof.

Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause serious water damage to your home. Be sure to clean and inspect gutters and downspouts at least once a year. Also check for peeling and cracked paint and signs of rust or holes.

Check sidewalks and driveways for broken or sinking concrete. Water can run into the house if the seal is not good.

Low-maintenance siding on homes has decreased the need to paint regularly. Even low-maintenance materials need regular inspection. Check for cracks, dents, rust, fading, and crumbling mortar joints, etc. Check the trim for cracked or peeling paint. Make sure doors and windows are sealed and check caulking and weatherstripping. Don't forget to check the screens for tears and tightness.

Check the foundation for termites and any places water might seep in.

If you missed doing a fall check, now is the time to take the tour around your home and to do a maintenance check and develop a repair plan. If you rent a home, a maintenance check can help you alert the owner of any problems existing and save both you and the owner extra expense.

Whether you have a new home or an older home it is a good idea to have a maintenance plan. This will help you keep on task and help you keep ahead of major problem.