In nature, spring is a time when new must replace the old and in the housing world,
the same is also true. With spring arriving, there are several things that you should be on the lookout for in terms of home repairs. After all, fall and winter can have harsh effects on a variety areas of your home, while spring brings a host of new problems that can exacerbate the issues that already exist. The following are a few of the most common repairs that you might need to conduct as spring arrives.
Gutter Repair - Spring can bring with it some of the rainiest weather of the year, and if your gutters are broken or clogged, the water can spill over or sit in inopportune parts of your house. This can lead to water damage, mold, mildew, and leaks if it is not discovered early enough. Therefore it is very important to check your gutters and downspouts so that your house will be properly protected from the potential heavy rains that come with spring. Make sure that you or the people you hire check to make sure that the gutters and downspouts are devoid of debris, and that all parts of the system are connected.
Concrete Repair - Water can also exacerbate cracked concrete, so it is very important to make sure you do not have any cracks or fissures developing in the concrete around your house. Especially if you live in a cold area, snow and ice may have been disguising any damage that had occurred during the winter. You want to make sure the cracks are filled and covered before heavy rain arrives, as water will seep into the concrete and damage it further.
Rust - Rust is another thing that will worsen if left unrepaired before the rains. Especially with fixtures and other metal pieces that have moving parts such as gate and fence latches, it is important to repair rusty metal as soon as possible. This can usually be done with steel wool or other abrasives for removing rust, followed by a fresh coat of water-proof paint. There are also new paints on the market that reduce the need to sand down rust metal, as the paint is formulated to be adhesive to rust and to stop the rusting process from progressing. Extremely rust pieces might have to be replaced entirely, though.
Brickwork - Both the brick and the mortar on your house can chip or pop away, leaving it susceptible to moisture damage, a prevalent threat during the springtime. This can be repaired with sealants and paints made especially for brick. Again, a good time to do a full inspection of the brickwork on your house is before spring (or early on) as you don't want to get caught flatfooted by the rain.
If you check these 4 things as spring arrives, you are well on your way to maintaining your house and making it last as long as possible, for as little as possible. Remember - the common theme is to protect your home from rain, as it is the most potentially damaging thing about spring - and water damage is a huge risk to your home at any time.