Spring Is In The Air – Prepare Your Home! (Part 2)

Sprucing up for Spring – from Hardscapes to Roof

Spring is almost here, and it’s time to prepare your home! In this, the second in our series on home and yard maintenance for spring, we focus on everything from hardscapes to the roof. Here’s the checklist of do’s for this season:

Repair and refurbish hardscapes – After the rains, it is a great idea to clean all hardscapes – walkways, patios, steps and retaining walls which have brick, pavers, stone or tile. Pressure wash to remove any dirt or moss which might make the area slippery. Replace broken tiles or flagstones and fill in new sand in the joints.

Roof check – Check for and replace any broken tiles or shingles in the roof. If there are signs of moss or lichen, call a professional roofer for a clean-up.

Trim large trees – Trim away any overgrowth from trees and shrubs. If you have large trees like oak or redwood, get an arborist, if needed, to trim back branches. This will allow more sunlight into the yard and encourage new growth. It’s also important to keep tree branches at least six to seven feet away from the house.

Foundation vents – Walk around the perimeter of the house and check all foundation vents to ensure that they are clear of leaves, debris or anything that would prevent air circulation in the crawl space. Good air circulation is important for the moisture in the crawl space to dry. Repair any holes or rips in vent screens to prevent rodents and critters from getting in.

Drains, ditches, rafters and gutters – Sweep clean all leaves and debris which may have gathered in drains, ditches and gutters. If possible, connect gutter pipes to the sewage. This will take overflow water away from the foundation of the house. Check rafters for wood rot. Replace any broken ones. It’s also a good idea to give the rafters a coat of paint to prevent wood rot.

Check irrigation systems – With the onset of spring, it is time to check irrigation systems for leaks and repair any broken sprinkler heads. Check rain sensors and booster pump for proper operation. Secure drip irrigation lines properly to respective plants.

Fences and trellises – Check fences and trellises and replace any broken or rotten panels.

Bird baths and fountains – Check fountain pumps and fix leaks if any. Scrub clean bird baths and fill with fresh water.