Spring is just around the corner. While we welcome the new season and longer days, the downside is that the warm sun shines a spotlight on home maintenance needs. Use this checklist to prepare your home so you can have a stress-free summer.
Exterior Home Needs
When bricks chip, the interior becomes susceptible to moisture, which can cause crumbling. Issues with brick or stucco must be assessed before any more damage occurs.
Check for rotted trim and siding; replace if needed.
Refresh the outside of your home with a power washing. Once clean you will be able to see possible damage that was hiding behind any dirt.
Concrete requires TLC. After power washing your home, turn your attention to concrete and your patio. Check if your driveway needs to be sealed and if you have a pool, have a professional perform needed service. Check for rotting wood on decks.
Clean downspouts and gutters, checking for sagging and dips caused by freezing and thawing over the winter.
Inspect the roof. Shingles that turn up or down make the roof more likely to leak.
Hire a chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney. Even if it is inactive, have it inspected. The pro will be able to check for any leaks for cracks.
Check on the shrubs and plants around your home, and remove any dead plants. Be sure to check for low areas in your yard or close to the foundation and fill these areas with soil.
Inspect your sump pump.
Interior Home Needs
Inspect your attic. Proper ventilation is important, along with checking for any leaks or obstructions.
Take a peek at your water heater. To make sure your gas-fired water heater is running properly, light a match next to the vent and wave — not blow — it out. If the smoke pulls into the vent, the unit is running properly. Look around the water heater for any leaking water. When water heaters are more than five years old, be sure to have them checked every six months for leaks. Replace if you find leakage or rust.
Greater Cincinnati Home Inspections
Spring is also the time when many homeowners consider putting their homes on the market. If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area, consider scheduling a pre-sale home inspection with HighTek Home Inspections.
With your own inspection, you can be much more confident your buyer’s inspection will not uncover any major problems. Significant problems can slow down a sale considerably so doing your own inspection can save lots of time down the line.
Our insured, InterNACHI®-certified inspectors use the most comprehensive line of state-of-the-art tools and equipment to help us gather information other home inspectors can’t. Best of all? Our prices are comparable to those other inspectors. If you’re in the Greater Cincinnati, Hamilton or Dayton, Ohio area, check out our services and prices, then schedule your home inspection today! For more tips and our latest updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, SPECTORA or Instagram.
