Winters can be tough on a house especially here in the northeast with it mix of cold and cold-wet weather. Making it a habit of running through this Spring Home Maintenance Checklist and either hiring a professional to take of the problems you discover or taking care of them yourself can save a homeowner lots of dollars in the long run and help avoid the expensive costs associated with emergency repairs.

Exteriors:

Start at the Top: Inspecting the Roof

• Walk around your house and give a visual inspection to your roof system. If you can’t see your roof clearly ether get a ladder or use a pair of binoculars but to ignore this inspection can leave your roof in peril.
• If you have a typical asphalt or fiberglass shingle roof look for loose, worn, curled, and/or damaged shingles.
• if you can safely get up on your roof look for areas where the roof deck might feel spongy under your feet. Any sign of sponginess should be checked from the underside. It could be a sign of damage.
• Look at every square foot of your roof. Ice dams can lift and damage shingles. You’ll also want to check flashing around chimneys. Don’t forget to make sure that gutters are free of debris.
• If you really can’t inspect your roof easily or thoroughly for potential problems then inspecting your roof from the underside in the attic space may help you spot problems that you now have in development. Look for moisture or discoloration on the sheathing or rafters.
• You’ll also want to check flashing around chimneys. Don’t forget to make sure that gutters are free of debris.
• Roof repairs can be very expensive. An hour spent inspecting now can save a major repair later. Most roof problems start out small. Many can be fixed by the average do-it-yourselfer. But a major job is beyond all but the most competent homeowner. It’s also the kind of expense that can be a big shock to your budget.

Doors & Windows

• Examine window and door flashing, seals or weatherstripping. If sealants around those openings are no longer pliable and continuous, reseal and caulk them.

Interior

• Change batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at least every six months. Tip: Use daylight savings time as your guide.
• Call in an expert to inspect your cooling systems, clean ducts, and change filters. A properly tuned-up AC system improves efficiency and by using electricity more efficiently it both helps reduce the strain on the electrical grid during peak summer usage periods and helps reduce green house gas emissions from the coal burning power plants plants. And for the real reason you have an AC system in the first place a properly tuned up system will do a better job keeping you home cool and comfortable too.

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