As Kansas City shakes off the last chilly days of winter, it’s time to give your home a quick spring refresh!
Winter can be tough on homes, inside and out, but some simple maintenance now can help prevent complicated (and expensive!) problems later. It’s best to catch any possible issues early to prep a house for spring without breaking the bank. Follow Ellen’s simple maintenance checklist below and enjoy peace of mind as you welcome spring.
Walk Around Your Home
Give your home a quick inspection by taking a few laps around the house. Start further out and look up and down for any potential problems, such as missing shingles, cracked or displaced siding, damaged downspouts, tree limbs overhanging the roof, and any areas where water can collect next to the foundation. Move in closer and take another lap. This time, focus on the smaller details: soffits, seals around doors and windows, damaged screens, vents, missing or cracked caulking, debris around the AC unit, loose railings or deck boards, cracked concrete, or shifted pavers.
Gutters
Prepare gutters for spring rainstorms by clearing away debris early in the spring.
Winter can take a major toll on gutters. Even if cleared out in the fall, debris will inevitably build up over the winter months. Plus, snow and ice can strain gutters, leading to leaks or cracks. Left unattended, gutter problems put both roofs and foundations at risk. Before April showers bring May flowers, clear gutters so they’re ready to handle the increased rainfall. At the same time, check for any loosened fasteners or places where the gutter may be pulling away from the edge of the roof. Simple maintenance tasks like this, performed regularly, greatly extend the lifespan of gutters.
Thoroughly clean windows to allow all the spring natural sunlight in!
Windows
Winter winds carry more than a chill. They also transport dirt and salt that can accumulate on glass. Cloudy, streaked windows don’t just block your view – they block out natural light. Leaving winter grime on windows can lead to etching and scratching that won’t be easy to repair. Cleaning windows also gives you an opportunity to inspect seals, catch damage early on, and eliminate spots where condensation or moisture can build up.
HVAC Maintenance
Your air conditioner has up to five months of use ahead. Regular maintenance is essential if you want to keep your system working at peak efficiency, extend its lifespan, improve the air quality in your house, and stay cool in the heat of a KC summer! Have an HVAC professional give it a quick spring inspection and tune-up to look for any worn or broken components and check for airflow issues. This will prevent inopportune breakdowns and failures when you want the AC the most!
Don’t wait until hot weather arrives to find someone to fix HVAC problems. Waiting for a technician can leave you without air conditioning for many stifling days – or weeks! Give Ellen’s go-to HVAC guy, Devin from IM HVAC, a call at 816-739-6525 for all of your HVAC needs!
Landscaping
Spring lawn care gives your landscaping a strong start for a thriving year ahead.
A little bit of yard work in the spring can set your lawn and landscaping up for successful growth all spring, summer, and into the fall. Start by cleaning up any remnants of winter, such as dead leaves and sticks. Clear garden beds and add fresh mulch, and prune dead or damaged limbs on shrubs. If you have an irrigation system, consider calling a sprinkler professional for a thorough inspection before you fire it up again. Give your lawn a spring boost by applying fertilizer and generously seeding bare spots. Spray away any winter grime left behind in outdoor seating areas like patios or decks, and give lawn furniture a quick wipe down.
Protect Your Sewer Line
Sewer line problems are often as expensive as they are unpleasant. A sewer line failure can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare, with repair bills that can reach as high as $20k–$40k. Older homes are particularly prone to sewer line issues, and a variety of factors can contribute to damage, including invasive tree roots, shifting ground, and even temperature fluctuations.
Replacing sewer lines can be very costly. Service Line Warranties of America is an excellent option for homeowners.
Spring is the perfect time to protect your home from unexpected sewer failures, so consider investing in sewer line insurance to protect yourself from not only discomfort but also costly repairs or total replacement.
Service Line Warranties of America is an excellent option for homeowners who want to protect their home and wallet from a future costly sewer line fix. With their Sewer Line Repair Plan, they will assist you in finding a trusted local plumber or contractor, and you will pay $0 for any covered repairs. You don’t necessarily need to have the sewer line completely replaced. They can often be spot-repaired. Service Line Warranties of America is not associated with the city of Kansas City – the city just makes homeowners aware of their services.
If you find yourself in a position where you have to repair your sewer line, call Ellen first!
