It’s that time of year … time to prep your home for spring and summer.
Follow these tips to protect your home from Mother Nature:
Roof – Examine your roof for any loose, curling or missing shingles. Also look for nails that have popped. Inspect and check for water damage in the attic near roof trusses. Catching problems early are key to minimizing damage and the financial burden of replacing your roof.
Gutters – Clean your gutters twice a year. This prevents water from building up and eventually damaging sheetrock or anything else water might contact.
Landscape grading – Make sure that water drains away from the house as it goes from your roof to your gutter to your downspout. Landscaping can sometimes cause a damming effect which can cause water leakage in basements and deterioration of the foundation.
Trees – Remove any dead trees and damaged limbs that are overhanging your home. Call a tree trimming company or your utility company to take care of trees close to utility lines.
Foundation – Inspect your foundation, sidewalks and other concrete flat areas around your house for cracks. Reseal any cracks you may find.
Chimney – Use masonry spray on the outside bricks to prevent water from entering your home.
Install sump pumps and back up generators – Have an appropriately-sized sump pump to keep up with water flow and a batter-powered pump as a backup during a power outage.
Maintain your air conditioner – Have your unit professionally cleaned and inspected before turning it on for the season. You should also replace the air filter to keep the unit operating efficiently.
Check water hoses inside the home – Plumbing, flexible hoses and toilet supply lines can cause severe water damage. Replace flexible hoses to washing machines, icemakers and certain dishwashers every three to five years or at the end of the warranty term.
Be prepared for wildfires – Clear fuels, like woodpiles or flammable materials from within 100 feet of your home and replace brush with fire-resistant vegetation and plants. Install screens over attic vents to prevent flying embers from entering your home.
Have an evacuation plan – In the event of a disaster, make sure you create and review an evacuation plan to protect your family.
