5 Tips To Prepare Your Home For Spring/Summer

  If you live in the Midwest and you are anything like me, I'm almost positive you are done with Winter and ready for Spring (all two weeks of it!).  We have made it through Winter, fool's Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, and Third Winter.  We are now entering actual Spring which means time to check out our home from the aftermath of Winter.  Cold temperatures and precipitation can wreak havoc on our homes, here are few things to check out as Actual Spring gets going:

1.  Check outside faucets for damage from the cold temperatures.  Leaky faucets can cause water damage to your foundation as well as increase your water bill!  Have these faucets replaced.  Check your garden hose for rot as well.
2. Check for low areas of the yard and next to the foundation.  Over time, soil can erode especially due to the elements.  Low laying areas of the yard can cause flooding not only in those areas but also to your basement.  Pooling water creates the perfect breeding ground for insects.  To avoid potential flooding and getting eaten alive by mosquitos, fill in these areas with compacted soil.
3. Check the gutters.  Leaves and debris left over from fall could be clogging your gutters.  Also check for loose or leaking gutters and be sure they are draining away from your homes foundation.  Spring rains can be devastating to your foundation and basement with overflowing water or leakage into your home. 
4. Check the roof for loose, missing, or degraded shingles.  Shingles can crack, become loose, buckled, and lose granules.  These affected shingles will need to be replaced.  Also check for missing or loose flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights.  If you feel you may have a claim, please contact your insurance agent. 
5. Check the AC unit.  More than likely your AC unit sat idle all Winter, collecting dust.  Spring is the best time to get it's annual check up.  Temperatures are nice outside now and by having it looked at in the Spring could save you from it potentially going out in the Summer and being miserable due to the Midwest humidity.