April Showers bring more than May Flowers
April showers bring something more malicious than a bunch of tulips, especially here in the Northwest. April showers can bring something along the lines of wood rot, flooded gutters and moss, which could cost you a lot of money in repairs! I have toured many homes that have missing or severely damaged gutters and moss covered roofs. Water does damage, and quickly. Water rolling over gutters, or straight off of roof lines can undermine foundations and ruin facia boards. Luckily, you can do some maintenance now to ensure your gutters won’t flood and your roof’s lifespan is full. Use this preventative Spring home maintenance checklist to make sure your April showers bring flowers instead of floods.
Clean Out Gutters and Repair
Gutters are an important part of flood prevention. Gutters and downspouts have one goal: move excess water away from your home’s roof and siding and deposit it somewhere other than under your house. Gutters need to be cleaned out twice a year, during fall and spring. Twigs, leaves, and blossoms can all fall into gutter lines and clog the gutters and downspouts. So be sure that if the drain coming off the roof goes into the street, or just out on the grass that it is clear of debris, too. If you cleared these in the fall, then the job should be minimal this Spring. Some people install leaf guards, there are mixed reviews on this item. Water tends to sit up against the house side paint and destroy facia boards faster.
- Clear out debris (by hand, or with a wetvac)
- Check for cracks, run a hose and check to see if you have leaks. Look in the seam areas of the gutters. If it’s going to be dry enough seal them with a caulk designed for gutters.
- Check the facia boards for paint that has become stressed due to water backing up into them. Make notes of summer paint touch ups.
- Check downspouts. Be sure water isn’t pooling too close to the house, or flooding around the house foundation. Good drainage away from the home is what you are after here. Six feet is the recommended termination point for downspouts.
- Check exterior wood trim elements like window sills and door jambs for rot.
REPAIR ROOF
The roof is another part of your home that has it hard during the fall, winter and spring. There are roofing companies that do roof maintenance and cleaning. Getting on a roof can be dangerous business, so be sure to call one of the professionals to get the job done, if you don’t feel comfortable.
- Make sure that your shingles are intact, and look for signs of leaks on the outside and in your attic.
- Check the caulking on the roof vents.
- Check for wood damage where facia boards come in contact with the roof or don’t have downspouts (like on dormers) Paint these if needed, note that they don’t have to match, just getting paint on them will help them survive.
- Apply moss killer to the roof. The amount of rain we see here in the Northwest doesn’t afford the luxury of ignoring roof care for moss.
- Look around the house and trim any trees or plants that could be dropping branches, blooms, or leaves onto your roof. Sunlight is the best natural moss killer.
- Trim plants away from the siding around your home.
clean out vents
Any vent that leads outside (bathroom, range or dryer vent) should be cleaned. Any leaves, plants or other debris should be cleared away from it. Plants are attracted to the moisture-rich air those vents are blowing outside. For about 30 bucks you can get a “Lint Wizard” at most home improvement stores to clear out dryer lint (a leading cause of house fires). It’s recommend that you have your HVAC venting system professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.
Replace Torn Window screens
Summer is rapidly approaching, although I can understand why we feel that may not be true right now. Window screens can be purchased, frame and all for about $30. Direct sun can damage screening, but Home Depot has a guide for replacing screens in the frames HERE.
Service HVAC System
Spring is the perfect time to get your air conditioner cleaned and ready to go for summer’s hot weather. Clean the coils and drain pans and always remember to replace the filters. Get an air conditioner tune-up from a professional, who can test your air conditioner to see if it is working safely and efficiently. Not cleaning your air conditioner can result in a loss of 5% efficiency each year. Don’t wait until you need the system and it kicks on, or rather doesn’t, and you realize you need a service.
Some small reminders, remember to check your fire alarm batteries and CO detectors. Sweep outside entry ways, and remove cob webs. Wipe down outdoor furniture. Then get ready to relax when the warm weather comes.
Need some Professionals?
See some things on this list that could require someone with a little more expertiese? I have a list of trusted pros in the Emerald Valley (Mid-Willamette). Just shoot me an email and I will put my research hat on and get you someone great, [email protected]
