Getting your home Spring Ready – Inside & Out

2014-04-29
By: Advocate Brokerage

Now that the weather has warmed up, the time has come to get our homes ready for the spring season and all the celebrations that spring brings.  When you think about getting your home spring ready, what often comes to mind is the standard scour everything spring cleaning.  While that is important, we would like to offer some things you can look for to be sure you home is as safe as it can be for your friends & family.

Getting the Inside Ready

• This is the perfect time to test your alarm systems to ensure that they are all in good working order.  Damage or frayed wiring is a fire hazard.
• Test your smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.  If applicable, change the batteries.  24% of home fire deaths occurred from smoke detectors that did not function properly.
• Clean lint vents in your clothes dryer.  Of the 2900 dryer fires that occur in the US each year, 34% are due to a “failure to clean”.
• Is your sump pump working properly?  With the large amount of snow we had this winter and the rains that are sure to come this month, the ground is very wet and there simply may be too much water for it to absorb.  It is imperative that your sump pump is working at a top level.  Make sure it is by:
  • Cleaning all vents and air holes to be sure they are clear.
  • Run a vinegar/water solution through the system to flush out any tiny particles that may be clogging the system.
  • Call in a professional.  If you don’t feel comfortable taking this on yourself, give your plumber a call.

Getting the Outside Ready

• Take a look at your roof; do you have any shingles that are missing, cracked or broken?  The key to preventing damage to your roof and the interior walls of your home is to take care of missing, cracked or broken shingles right away.  Don’t wait until you have water damage.
• Check your garden hoses and outdoor faucets for cracks or leaks.  A cracked hose bib can cause reduced water pressure as well as leaks that can lead to mold issues inside your home.  It is a good idea to check them each spring to be sure they are working properly.
• Cracks in your walk way.  Salt used to melt the snow eats away at the grout leaving the pavers loose and a hazard for tripping.  Make sure your guests are able to make a trip-free entrance into your home.
• Be sure your gutters are clear and not clogged.  Water will find its way to the path of least resistance so if your gutters are clogged, it will back up on your roof or into the walls of your home.
• Take a look at any trees that are near the house or power lines.  It is much better to cut them back and out of the way now before storm winds cause them to fall and damage your home.

What does your To Do list look like for this weekend?  Whether you plan on checking some of the above items off the list yourself or bringing in a team of professionals to help, we hope you will take some steps to protect not only your investment, but also your friends and family!

Are you on facebook?  Stop by our page and continue the conversation there.  We’d love to hear how you will be Getting your home Spring Ready!  Are you going to start Inside or Out?  Like our page and leave us a message.