Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year, which means that spring will be here faster than you know it! As you prepare for warmer weather, there are a few things you should tend to around your home.
1. Air Conditioning
Air conditioners don’t break during the winter or spring when they’re not being used—they break during the peak of summer when it’s 90+ degrees outside, and you’re in desperate need of it. Therefore, checking on your air conditioner during the spring is ideal.
A certified heating and air conditioning expert can likely spot a problem with your air conditioning before it breaks down. It can be repaired before the busy season hits and you have a hard time getting a hold of a technician.
You’ll be grateful you took steps early on to rectify the problem, according to Around the Clock Heating and Air Conditioning in the LA and San Fernando Valley area, because a well-maintained air conditioning unit not only keeps your house cool but also saves money on utilities.
2. Evidence of Pests
The spring is one of the worst times for pest infestations. As the weather warms up, insects and rodents start to flee to the inside of homes to escape the heat. Doors and windows are also opened more often in warmer weather, allowing rodents and insects easier entry.
Call pest control at the first sign of pests. Many pest control facilities also offer bi-annual pest inspections, usually during the spring and fall when pest infestations begin. Consider signing up for these regular examinations to avoid a severe incursion.
3. Sprinkler System
Problems with your sprinkler system are often not evident until you have a flooded lawn or a leaky basement unless you take the time to have it inspected before its first practical use. Pipes can freeze and burst during the winter, causing huge problems when you run them this summer.
You can usually perform a basic inspection by yourself, starting with the pieces of the system you can see, like the heads and exposed piping. Replace any damaged or broken heads and adjust the angle of spray so that it doesn’t spray the house or concrete.
When you’ve ruled out any visible damage, run the entire system manually and look for signs of irregularities. If there are signs of flooding under the ground, call a professional to repair the damage before rebooting the system.
4. Roof
Winter is particularly hard on roofs, with the most common problem being ice dams. This occurs when water pools in a certain area of the roof and freezes. When it freezes, it expands, pushing on the shingles, flashing, and sealers and causing damage. When the snow and ice melts, it can leak through these damaged areas into your home.
Hailstorms, blizzards, spring rains, and more can also damage your roof. It’s best to address this damage as soon as possible—waiting too long will lead to extensive damage both on your roof and in the interior of your home.
A roof inspection starts with you. Stand somewhere on the property or across the street so that you can see the top of the roof. Missing shingles, bent flashing, dents, and other irregularities indicate a problem. If you suspect further damage, many roofing professionals will inspect the roof for free.
5. Outside Faucets
If you don’t disconnect your hoses during the winter, the water can back up into the spigot and freeze, causing serious damage to the spigot and pipes inside your walls. Many homeowners learn this lesson the hard way, and they’re left cleaning up a colossal mess both inside and outside their homes during the spring.
As soon as possible, walk around your home and inspect faucets for freeze damage. The damage may be obvious, but if not, there’s a simple test you can try. Place your finger over the opening of the faucet and turn the water on. If it stops the water flow, your pipe is probably damaged.
If there’s damage, turn your water off right away and call a plumber. Your faucet and nearby pipes will likely need replaced, and it’s an easy fix if you catch it early—otherwise, it will be time consuming and costly to repair!
You can save your home from considerable damage and expense simply by keeping up with basic spring repairs and maintenance. Run through this list every spring for your peace of mind.
