The birds are chirping ... to tell us it's time to get outside for some fresh
air. Along with exciting gardening projects, don't forget that routine
maintenance now will save you from more costly repairs in the future. Here's a
checklist to help you identify your project list.
Decide how much time you want to devote to these maintenance and repair
activities. Use My Handyman and specialty contractors like Black Dawg Sealcoat, for some projects. You'll enjoy your home
more, and it's cost effective when you add up the value of your time and the
cost of new tools. Your time is a precious commodity, so spend wisely and have a
great spring!
Tina Gleisner, Your Handy Woman
Exterior "Ladder" Checklist
Many outside tasks require
working from a ladder. Only if you have a safe ladder and are comfortable,
should you tackle these chores yourself.
Roof - inspect using a ladder and repair or replace damaged or
missing shingles
Chimney & Vent Pipes - inspect these and repair or replace
flashing or caulking; new water stains in your attic will signal water seepage
Gutters - clean and make any adjustments or repairs to insure water
is carried away from your foundation; if your gutters fill up quickly, consider
using a product like Gutter Stuff
Siding - caulk gaps between siding and trim to keep water out; repair
or replace siding with water damage. My Handyman has repaired siding problems
ignored for too long, resulting in serious damage to underlying structural wood.
The most frequent causes:
Infestations of carpenter ants which explore until they find, high
humidity environments with ample food, i.e. wood siding and/or hidden support
structure
Masonite siding which disintegrates easily once it gets wet, and is
found in homes as new as 5 years to roughly 20 years old
Wood trim - inspect and repair or replace damaged pieces of wood
trim. Common My Handyman projects involve areas with high exposure to water that
should be painted every year - we recommend replacing the wood with a composite
like Azek that doesn't rot:
Window sills - tend to hold silt, which in turn holds water that
causes damage that is easy to repair when first observed but after many years,
may require new windows
Kick plates under doors - water hits steps or decks and bounces back
up saturating this vertical strip of wood under doors; unless painted every
year, the wood will rot
Windows and doors - caulk around windows and doors to keep water out;
inspect to make sure they're operational and glass clear and secure
Paint - check for peeling paint; often one side of the house needs to
be painted more frequently due to more direct sunlight or higher humidity when
foliage blocks the sun
Exterior "Ground" Checklist
Some projects might be a little easier when you're standing on the ground. More
complicated tasks that use compressors, compound mitre saws, and such, might be
better left to My Handyman.
Screen Doors/Windows - put away storm doors/windows; install screen
doors/windows after making needed repairs
Power Wash - house (vinyl siding unless you're going to paint) and
decks; paint or stain decks and railing systems for weather protection
Decks - review deck, stairs and other outside rails to make sure
they're secure, address nail pops and replace rotted boards. We've gotten great
feedback from customers that we installed Procell Decking Systems for last year. We originally
recommended this material, with no wood content, for decks near pools.
Drainage - make sure downspouts drain away from the house; check
perimeter to nake sure water isn't settling or running down into the foundation.
For the complete checklist, click here.
Foundation - look for evidence of cracks or settling and make
appropriate repairs
Check Operability - exterior lights, garage door, gates, mailboxes
and repair as needed
Open Water Valves - turn on outside water faucets, check for leaks
and repair as needed; check any irrigation systems
Clean - windows, outdoor furniture, garbage cans and debris where
vents/downspouts end
Yard - inspect hose bibs, pipes and shut-off valves; repair any
damage from the winter
Landscaping - it's time for raking, mulching, pruning and
preparing/planting this years garden.
Interior Spring Checklist
While you want to get outside, there are numerous small tasks that need to be dealt with inside.
Air Conditioners - we install window A/Cs for many customers; we've also done "in the wall" A/C installs to eliminate this twice a year chore.
Attic - check for water/moisture damage; insulation works best in "like new" condition
Windows/Doors - check for gaps in interior trim and caulk as needed
Stair Railings - make sure railings are secure and repair as needed
Cabinets and Doors - make sure they close and latch correctly, with no squeaks.
Walls/Ceilings - repair any nail pops but only if you're planning to paint these areas
Heating Systems - clean baseboard heaters, schedule yearly check-ups for furnace and other systems, change furnace and A/C air filters. Don't forget to empty all fuel from specialized heating systems, clean and if portable (space heaters), store in a safe place
Hot Water Heater - flush a few gallons of water out of the system to remove minerals
Humidifiers - clean the furnace humidifier and any room humidifiers
Dryer Vent - clean out to prevent build up of lint which is a fire hazard
