Getting Your Home Ready for Spring: Part One

United Country Midwest Lifestyle Properties agents know getting your home ready for spring takes work. Whether it’s your roof, the windows or your beautiful trees, winter’s winds and snows will put them all to the test. That’s why it’s important to get outside and give your home a property assessment.

Taking care of your home will save you money in the long run. Let us give you some help by going through this spring to-do checklist.

Damage report Mr. Zulu

Once warmer weather arrives, you’ll want to check the exterior. PRO-TIP–Use a notebook to keep track of home maintenances you’ve done; along with the condition of your shingles, windows, when you’ve painted or stained, landscaping changes and alike.

Begin by walking around the foundation of your home. Note any cracks in the foundations or walls. Take pictures with your phone and measure the crack if possible. You’ll be able to compare pictures over time to see if any significant changes are occurring.

While you’re checking your foundation, look at the window and window casing. Make sure the caulking is in place and note any areas that the caulking is loose or deteriorated. Check to see if there is any paint peeling on the house or around the trim on the windows.

Up on the roof

Unfortunately, a roof left uncheck can lead to leaks, which can lead to many problems. Mold, rotten wood trusses and studs, wrecked drywall and collapsing ceilings- all costly to repair. It’s worth your time to grab a ladder and get a good view of your roof to look for missing or torn shingles. Replace missing or torn shingles as quickly as possible.

Another item to check while you are on the roof is the rain gutters. While examining the gutter system, check that the gutters remain firmly attached to the house; free of leaves and twigs. Inspect the downspouts as well. Clogged gutters and downspouts send rain down next to your foundation. This could cause water to leak in your basement.

Out on a limb

Trees add so much to a property. They provide shade in the summer and help block cold winter winds. Snowy winters can cause branches to snap off or splinter. Now that spring has arrived, walk around your back yard studying your trees. Are any of the trees leaning? Did a limb break needing a trim or removal? Is there damage to the bark, or has the tree split? Is the tree budding or does it look dead?

Should you have a tree that is damaged, you can call a local arborist to assist you in decisions on what to do. You could also call a local tree cutting service for a quote on tree trimming or removal.

We know that there are lots of folks who enjoy cutting and trimming their own trees. But if the job is too big, the tree/tree limb leans too far over your home, other buildings, or your neighbors, we highly suggest you let a professional take care of your tree.

A few more items

Spring is a great time to trim shrubs, tidy up the landscaping and lawn. Look for low spots in your yard and fill in with dirt. You can repair bald spots on your lawn by placing fresh soil over top and add some grass seed. Cover these areas with straw to provide warmth and protection from birds looking for an easy lunch. Then water daily.

Replace any plants or shrubs that did not survive the winter. This keeps your property attractive and not looking run down. Curb appeal is everything!

Keeping up with your home needn’t be a chore. Each spring, go through our simple checklist, immediately taking care of any issues that emerge. This keeps your home looking great and increases the value of your investment.

Give United Country Midwest Lifestyle Properties a call at 608-7432-5000 and see why people and properties are our two favorite investments.