It’s out with the old during the spring season! While clearing out closets and storage areas is very popular during the spring season, there are a few more areas you should inspect to guarantee your home’s health through the rest of the year. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Check your windows
With summer fast approaching, you want to make sure your windows are ready to protect your home from the heat! If you can stand in front of the window and feel the heat radiating through, your windows are allowing hot air into the house causing your AC to run overtime. Getting them replaced will save you money on your monthly electric bill.
You’ll also want to check the window frame for any imperfections, like cracks, molding, or rot. These could be signs of bigger issues like foundation or moisture problems.
Last, if you find your window fogs up or has condensation – you need to replace it immediately to prevent water damage.
Check for leaks and moisture problems
To check for leaks, first make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your house. Then locate your water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. Depending on the brand of your meter, the leak indicator could be a small triangular shaped dial or a small silver wheel that rotates when water is flowing through the meter. If the dial is moving, chances are, you have a leak.
If your leak indicator is moving, look for wet, warped or discoloration stains on your ceilings, floors, walls and woodwork (like the bottom of your kitchen or bathroom sink cabinet).
If you can’t find the leak, you’ll need to call a plumber. If you did find the leak, keep in mind that it might not be the original location. Some leaks start in one place, then flow for a distance before they drain and create visible damage. Whatever the case, you should make arrangements to have it fixed sooner rather than later, as water causes all sorts of nightmares in homes. Fixing the origin of the leak and any damaged areas quickly can save you from worse and more expensive repairs later.
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Other signs of moisture could be doors and windows getting stuck in a closed position or not closing at all. This is a common problem for homeowners in older properties. It likely means moisture is causing the wooden frames to expand and contract.
Musty Smells
If you don’t have a leak but your house smells musty and moldy, you could have poor ventilation. This is common in older homes where there’s still carpet covering the bulk of the floor space – specially in master bathrooms. Ensure there’s enough air flow in carpeted rooms or replace the carpet all together to prevent any issues.
Check for termites
If you have a deck, pergola, or other wood additions to your home, make sure you take a quick walk around and check for mud trails. Termites can move extremely quickly, so if you do spot a mud trail in the wood of your home, get it looked at by a pest inspector as soon as possible. And while termites don’t eat treated wood, they can still travel under it to untreated wood, so also check your siding and under your home. If spotted early enough, you can prevent serious damage and an exterminator will easily be able to get rid of the infestation.
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Prevention is way cheaper and less time consuming that repairs. These spring cleaning musts will help you keep your home in tip-top shape! If you need help redoing a space, contact us for great financing and a free quote!
