Trees are budding, flowers are blooming and birds are chirping. It is time for your home to have a spring check up! Here are just a few small touches that will make your home ready to enjoy this spring.
Let's start with the deck or patio. Clean weathered deck boards with a biodegradable deck cleaner. Replace any worn boards. Check railings for looseness or wear, and repair them if needed. Then ensure your deck looks great all summer by protecting it from mildew and water damage with a high-quality finish and preservative.
Once the deck is done, inspect the exterior of your home for signs of mold or mildew growing on wood, vinyl or aluminum siding. There are many effective and easy-to-use EPA-registered products for killing mildew, cleaning away the discoloration and protecting surfaces from future growth.
While you're checking the outside of your house for mildew, also be on the lookout for cracks or holes in siding or foundation walls. Repair the damage now before it gets worse.
Even though you aren't using them quite yet, don't forget about your air conditioners. Check for leaks, clean the filters and have necessary service performed before the mercury rises. A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of the heating/cooling system, increase heating/cooling costs and cause fires. "A quick check of your home's insulation and window seals is another good way to keep your air conditioning units operating at peak efficiency.
This spring, be sure to check the drainage around your home. When spring showers arrive, take advantage of the opportunity to inspect gutters and drainage tiles. A visual inspection on a rainy day will quickly reveal problems.
Check for damage to your roof. Signs include missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles. Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.
Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface. This will help prevent guests and family members from slipping, tripping or falling.
Keep your windows sparkling clean. Dirty windows cut down on a surprising amount of light. It can make your rooms look dull. As a bonus, clean windows mean more sparkling glass, which means rooms feel larger and brighter!
Pot up some pansies. You can even use them indoors as houseplants. They are cheap, easy, and add flowers to a room without the cost of replacing floral arrangements every week!
Don't forget your entry area when you are creating that spring glow all around your home. Remember, your entries are a visitors first impression of your home! Add a pot of pansies on the porch, paint your entry door a fresh color, and hang a handmade wreath or a basket of flowers on the front door.
And please, ALWAYS, have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges regularly to make sure they are charged and ready to use. You never know when you will need a fire extinguisher.
Freshening your home will do wonders for your spirit and the spirit of those who you love. Take a little time to brighten your lives!
If you are considering a move consider ~ Eunice Waller, Your Hometown Realtor Helping Families Since 1984!
Prudential Simpson & Associates
www.FredericksburgHomeSource.com
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