Springtime Home Inspection Checklist

Winter brings specific home maintenance challenges, but as the cold temperatures break, spring has its own maintenance checklist for those of us in the Delaware valley.

Look at your home, inside and out. Now is the perfect time to inspect your home and take care of the following springtime home maintenance items:

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is very durable, but in extreme weather conditions – like winter – it can become brittle and more prone to breaks and cracks. Cracked siding can allow water to become trapped behind it, creating the potential for water damage. Spring is a great time to take a walk around your home and look for areas of cracked and/or broken siding.

Damaged Fascia and Soffits

Soffits and fascia play an important role in your home’s overall structural integrity, from protecting the roof and attic from water and wind damage, preventing mold growth in the attic, and supporting the house’s gutters. You’ll also want to keep your soffits and fascia in good condition to avoid critters from getting in. As you’re doing your springtime home inspection, take a look at the soffits and fascia for wood rot, missing or broken pieces, and clogged vents.

Shingles and Roof Inspection

You can do a quick self-inspection of your shingle roof from the ground. You’re looking for missing, slipped, or curved shingles. You should hire a contractor to inspect areas like pipes, vents, and chimneys to ensure the flashing is properly sealed.

Gutter Repair and Cleaning

When inspecting gutters, you’re looking for clogs and debris in the gutters as well as the downspouts and any underground pipes that the downspouts feed into. You can also test the gutters with a hose, looking for standing or slow-moving water. Also examine the seams and other connection points on the gutter system for areas that may need to be re-sealed or replaced.

Deck Repair

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, more decks collapse during the summer than the rest of the year combined. That makes sense when you consider that nearly every deck collapse happens when under heavy load – either by people or by snow. Decks are more complicated structures than most people realize. If you are unsure whether your deck needs repair or replacement, contact us for an inspection and estimate.

Ferris Home Improvements offers our Delaware customers expertise in all of these home maintenance areas. If it’s time for your home’s springtime checkup, contact us!