Buying your first home is a thrilling experience. You finally have your own space, but with that comes many new responsibilities. During the excitement of unpacking boxes and settling in, a wave of awareness washes over you. Suddenly, you’re responsible for everything – from leaky faucets and clogged drains to landscaping and roof repairs. It can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but don’t worry! Creating a home maintenance plan can help you stay on top of things and keep your home in good shape.
The Importance of a Seasonal Home Maintenance Plan
To keep your home in tip-top shape, it’s helpful to create a seasonal home maintenance checklist. This will ensure that you address tasks specific to each time of year. For example, spring is a great time to clean out gutters and inspect your roof for any damage caused by winter weather. In summer, you might focus on tasks like checking your air conditioning system and watering your lawn regularly. By creating a seasonal checklist, you can avoid potential problems and keep your home running smoothly all year round.
To make things easier, we’ve divided this exterior maintenance checklist into seasonal sections. This will help you keep track of specific tasks that need to be done at different times of the year.
Winter Home Maintenance:
● Inspect the roof for damage after storms: Winter storms can cause significant damage to your roof, including loose shingles.
● Inspect gutters and downspouts for damage and clear any snow/ice buildup: Clogged gutters can lead to water damage.
● Check roofline for icicles: Remove icicles promptly, as they can cause damage to the roof and lead to foundation issues when they melt.
● Examine and replace faulty locks and deadbolts on all doors and windows.
Spring Home Maintenance:
● Clean gutters and downspouts thoroughly: Spring is the ideal time to remove leaves, debris, and any remaining winter buildup from gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.
● Inspect the foundation for cracks: Spring thaws can reveal cracks or settle in your foundation.
● Clean windows.
● Turn on the sprinkler system and check for adjustments and needed repairs.
Summer Home Maintenance:
● Inspect siding for cracks, peeling paint, or other damage: Summer heat and humidity can exacerbate existing siding issues.
● Trim trees and shrubs away from the house: Overgrown vegetation can damage siding, gutters, and even the roof.
● Inspect gutters for nests (especially bird nests) and remove debris (like leaves and twigs) to ensure proper water drainage and prevent overflows.
● Inspect the roof for damage or leaks.
● Touch up exterior paint.
● Deep clean outdoor grill.
● Clean outdoor trash and recycling cans.
Fall Home Maintenance:
● Fall gutters and downspouts clean out again: Fall is another crucial time to clear gutters of leaves and debris before winter arrives.
● Install gutter guards: This can help prevent leaves, pine needles, and other debris from accumulating in your gutters, reducing the risk of clogs and overflows. Gutter guards can also provide valuable fire protection by preventing embers from igniting dry debris in your gutters during wildfire season.
● Inspect windows and doors for cracks and gaps: Prepare your home for winter by sealing any cracks or gaps around windows and doors to prevent drafts and energy loss.
● Trim shrubs around the house.
● Clean debris from basement window wells.
● Rake the yard and clean out annuals in the garden.
Prioritize Gutter Health in your Exterior Home Maintenance
This comprehensive exterior maintenance checklist highlights key seasonal tasks like gutter cleaning, roof inspections, and vegetation trimming. But keeping your gutters clean and maintained is one of the most important things you can do for your home’s health. Clogged gutters can lead to serious water damage, so prioritize them on your maintenance schedule.
Protect Your Home with Expert Gutter Care
To ensure your gutters are always in the best shape, our team of gutter experts can work with you to create a customized maintenance schedule. We offer complimentary consultations and estimates for all your guttering needs in Birmingham, AL, Dalton, GA, and the greater Chattanooga areas. Contact us today to learn more!