Seasonal Tips

Here are several things you'll want to keep in mind for your home this season. Give Inspect 4 You a call about any of them -- we will be glad to talk with you.

Spring tips are for checking and repairing anything that may have been damaged over the winter. It is also the best time to prepare for the summer heat.

Spring Tips

• Open inside hose valves
  
• Check gutters, downspouts, roof and attic for leaks
  
• Inspect and replace (if needed) weather stripping around doors and windows
  
• Inspect and repair (if needed) window and door screens while installing for the season
  
• Inspect and clean (if needed) storm window weep holes while removing for the season
  
• Inspect and repair (if needed) window glazing compound
  
• Examine septic system drain field for flooding, odor; have tank pumped yearly
  
• "Exercise" circuit breakers
  
• Check and replace exterior caulk to keep out bugs
  
• Check all access hole to the house to make sure they are sealed up
  

Summer preparation

• Insulate garage and garage door to reduce heat gain to the summer
  
• Weather strip attic access cover
  
• If your windows do not have low E, tint them with a heat reflecting film. The tint doesn't have to be dark to work. The windows facing south or west are the most important
  
• Shade ac compressor with fencing or bushes if it is on the south or west side. This will allow it to work more efficiently
  
• Make sure attic vents and sofits are clean and clear. A well-vented attic will keep the heat from coming in to the house.
  

Yard

• Pick up sticks and other debris
  
• Rake up dead leafs
  
• Fertilize lawn with fertilizer that has pre-emergent crabgrass preventer
  
• Keep pets and children from playing on the lawn until the first rain after fertilizing
  
• Adjust mower, for the first cut, to a lower height to remove dead tops and promote greening. Adjust it back later. A good cutting height is 2.5" - 3" for the spring and higher in the summer
  
• Patch bald areas of the yard form a pre-made patching mix or use seed with a small amount of starter fertilizer and mulch or very shredded news paper
  
• Prune trees and bushes before they bud if possible
  
• Trim any trees or shrubs that touch house
  
• Trim bushes below window line for security
  
• Remember to water if it does not rain enough
  

Spring cleaning

• Clean and seal tile grout
  
• Inspect plumbing shutoff valves
  
• Inspect toilets for stability
  
• Vacuum smoke alarms
  
• Vacuum heating registers, vents, ducts, radiators
  
• Hose off house exterior
  
• Scrub mildewed areas of house exterior and treat for mildew and fungus on decks
  
• Clean gaps between deck boards above joists
  
• Clean around air conditioner compressor
  
• Clean out under decks and porches
  
• Clean out gutters and downspout elbows
  
• Clean out basement window wells
  
• Make sure attic vents and sofits are clean and clear
  
• Rake debris away from side of house and other structures

Monthly

• Inspect and clean faucet aerators and shower heads
  
• Clean frost-free refrigerator drain pan
  
• Clean dust and debris from refrigerator coils
  
• Inspect dishwasher for leaks
  
• Clean kitchen exhaust fan filters
  
• Grind ice cubes in disposer
  
• Check and replace (if needed) heating system air filter
  
• Drain 1-2 gallons of water from water heater
  
• Maintain drains with baking soda or hot water, not with chemical drain openers
  
• Pour water down unused drains
  
• Inspect visible foundation areas, pipes, vents and ducts