Spring Home Maintenance Tips and Tricks: Part 1

Spring is almost here and now is a great time to start planning some spring cleaning and maintenance.  Here are some tips and tricks from ReColor by Wipe New as you look towards those warmer days!

• Clean the Gutters! This is an obvious item to begin with, but many people don’t necessary do it every Spring, or know why it’s important.  When water doesn’t properly pass through your gutters it runs down near the foundation of your home. Over time this can cause weakening of your foundation and cost you big bucks!  Leaking or clogged gutters can also lead towards water damage in your basement!
• Check your Roof! If you live in an area that experienced a lot of winter weather you should check your roof for hail, ice, and water damage.  Curling, peeling and even disintegration of the shingles may have also occurred.  This may be a job you can do yourself or, depending on what you find, you may need to seek some professional help.  But don’t overlook this item come Spring.  You also don’t necessary need a ladder.  Many people start by using binoculars and a keen eye to spot possible problems.
• Check your Concrete!  Check all of your concrete slabs for cracks or movement. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk.   If you find cracks in a concrete foundation, routine caulking will likely not do the job. You’ll want to hire a foundation specialist.  Remember that, generally speaking, all other exterior concrete slabs should drain away from the home’s foundation.
• Clean the Carpets! Many households regularly vacuum their carpets (even during winter months), but after trekking in that wet and nasty snow and ice, Spring is the time for some deep cleaning.  The goal here is to eliminate deep-down dust, dirt, and food particle buildup. You can rent a carpet cleaner, buy one, or hire a professional carpet cleaner.
• Check your Deck and Fences!  Do a good sweep to remove any debris that might have accumulated between boards on your deck or around you fence.  Use a screwdriver to probe your wooden decks or fences.  If the wood is soft and spongy, and it doesn’t splinter when you poke it with a screwdriver, you may have an issue with decay.  If your vinyl fences look beaten up, get out your ReColor by Wipe New!  ReColor works great on vinyl fences and can make them look new again!  Check out this fence treated with Recolor!