5 Essential Outdoor Home Fixes to Do Now for a Damage-Free Spring

Winter may have taken its toll on the exterior of your home, requiring periodic maintenance work to prevent costly repairs down the line. Springtime offers an opportunity for preventive care that could save both time and money in repairs.

Regular home maintenance, repair and improvement help to safeguard against the elements while improving its curb appeal. Outdoor home fixes such as this one will also help mitigate damages from winter storms or melting snowfall.

Inspect Your Roof

Your home’s exterior suffers a beating each winter from snow and wind, but its damage may not become evident until spring comes around and snow melts away. Regular inspections and preventive maintenance are key to avoiding major problems later, like foundation leaks and roof rot.

Step one in keeping your roof in top condition is performing a visual inspection. A great place to begin this inspection is from the ground, using binoculars or a ladder as safe access. Keep an eye out for missing, curled up or damaged shingles; dark stains that appear may indicate moisture-retaining moss, lichen or blue-green algae growth which must be removed in order to prolong the roof’s lifespan and protect itself.

As part of home maintenance, it is also vital to inspect your gutter system. Clogs in gutters can lead to water damage and roof leaks; check that downspouts are functionally optimal and the slope of your lawn slopes away from the foundation of your home.

Pruning branches and shrubs to encourage healthy growth is another essential task, and can prevent fallen limbs during storms as well as debris landing on power lines. Make sure trees don’t grow too close to structures on which your house sits as this could damage them and other important infrastructure.

Milder temperatures make it possible to work on indoor home improvement projects as well. Now is an excellent time to replace windows that are old and drafty; upgrade lighting with energy-saving options; or enclose your porch or patio for entertaining and relaxation, or build new decks or gazebos.

Clean Gutters

Gutter cleaning is an integral component of home maintenance. Clogged gutters allow water that would normally drain away snow and rain to overflow and damage shingles, siding, fascia boards, foundations or cause flooding issues if left alone – regularly scheduled cleaning sessions help avoid such damages and extend the lifespan of your gutter system.

Remove large debris from your gutters and downspouts using a ladder. Next, flush your gutters out using a garden hose to flush away any remaining gunk. Finally, look for signs of sagging or holes; any cracks or leaks must be sealed to avoid further damage.

For future clogging and maintenance issues, keep tree branches trimmed back, consider investing in gutter guards to eliminate frequent cleaning needs, check regularly for signs of damage such as sagging gutters or leakage and replace any parts in disrepair as soon as possible.

By taking the time and care necessary to clean and inspect your gutters in preparation for springtime, you can protect your home from costly water damage while simultaneously improving curb appeal and increasing value if selling later. For those uncomfortable working from ladders or in areas with many trees, professional gutter cleaners may be worth their cost as a wise investment.

Repair Walkways

As winter finally gives way, your family and friends may begin spending more time outdoors. Well-defined pathways help your guests navigate your outdoor space easily and improve navigation; while their curb appeal enhances its visual appeal. They are integral components of landscape designs; however, regular upkeep ensures safe use.

Brick walkways add timeless elegance to both colonial homes in Andover and contemporary designs in Salem, and this timeless hardscape material provides a durable slip-resistant surface suitable for New England rainstorms. Routinely sweeping, cleaning with mild solutions occasionally and re-sanding every few years will ensure that your brick walkways stand the test of time.

Inspections not only extend the life of hardscape materials, but can also detect issues early and stop them before they become larger issues. A small crack or loose piece of brick could become an immediate safety risk if left unaddressed; dealing with issues as soon as they surface is much less expensive than waiting until busy summer landscaping projects to address them, thereby preventing additional damage and expense.

Spring inspections provide the ideal opportunity to identify problems with your drainage system, in addition to checking for brick repairs. Overflowing gutters can dump rain onto concrete surfaces and cause erosion; proper drainage design channels water away from walkways so they remain dry, thus avoiding erosion and harmful fungus growth. Taking care of these easy fixes now will save money in future repairs as well as maximize value when it’s time to sell; whether sealing cracks, lifting uneven slabs, or simply giving them a thorough clean are simple tasks that will ensure they’ll keep your property looking its best no matter the season or season!

Seal Driveways

Sealing your driveway not only adds curb appeal to your home, but it can also protect it from damage and fade. Springtime is the ideal time to seal it if this task hasn’t been taken on recently. Before beginning, trim grasses and weeds, and use a pressure washer or degreaser to thoroughly clean the surface with anti-dirt products or degreasers to remove dirt, grease stains or any other obstructions to your sealer’s color. After your sealant job is complete, you can look forward to enjoying a smoother ride and your driveway being protected against moisture, UV rays and other damaging agents. Concrete and asphalt expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate; having fresh sealant applied can help them accommodate this movement without cracking. Plus, sealants help prevent oil, gas or any other potentially hazardous chemicals from seeping into its surface and damaging its integrity further.

Protect Outdoor Plumbing

As spring showers start to melt the snow, your gutters and outdoor plumbing become vulnerable to damage from excess moisture from freezing and thawing cycles. Excess moisture can weaken outdoor pipe structures, cause corrosion, leaks or cause corrosion to form altogether – maintenance now could save costly repairs down the line!

Weatherproof sealants provide your plumbing fixtures with additional protection, by minimizing water penetration into vulnerable spots such as joints and cracks. This will extend their lifespan.

Cleaning your drains regularly is another effective way to minimize water damage. Drains often become clogged with dirt, leaves and other debris – it is therefore wise to check regularly for blockages as well as clean your drain covers to reduce debris build-up.

Clogged drains can become an even greater source of frustration during spring rainstorms, with slow drains, gurgling noises and foul odors as telltale signs. A professional sewer camera inspection will detect problems early and save both time and money by pinpointing those responsible.

Make sure your outdoor plumbing is ready for spring showers by inspecting for leaky outdoor faucets and testing water pressure on outside spigots, while testing the functionality of your sump pump to avoid basement flooding.

Good drainage is crucial to the long-term health of any home, and especially so during times of heavy rain. Standing water can weaken foundations, flood basements, and cause wood rot if left standing too long. Ensure gutters are free of debris and runoff is directed 5 feet away from foundation of home using downspouts; french drain systems or permeable pavers may also help promote proper drainage.