Lorene Bartos: It's time for house's semiannual checkup

 No comments  
 E-mail Story
 Print Story
  Share

 digg it!
 Facebook
 del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit

Text Size: 

Tools Sponsor

Has your house had its semiannual checkup?

With warm weather finally here, it’s time to give your house a checkup and do spring maintenance. By doing maintenance and taking care of the home periodically, major repairs can be prevented or reduced.

Taking time for maintenance now will save time, energy and money in the future.

[+]Enlarge

Maintenance should be done inside and outside. It is especially important to take a tour around the outside of the home and check for any problems that might have occurred over the winter.

By doing routine inspections, you get to know your home, its condition and how it is aging. Always keep a record of maintenance and repairs you do. The record is especially valuable if you decide to sell your home.

Start the tour by walking around the outside of the home and inspecting the house structure. Look from top to bottom.  Also check out porches, deck, patio and garage. Is there paint chipping, a board cracking, or roof problems?

When inspecting the roof, look for:

-- loose, curled, damaged or missing shingles 

-- loose, rusting or deteriorating flashing around chimneys, flues, dormers, etc., and tree branches rubbing on the roof.

Be sure to clean and inspect gutters and downspouts at least once a year. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause serious water damage to your home. Also check for peeling and cracked paint and signs of rust or holes.

Check sidewalks and driveways for broken or sinking concrete. Water can run into the house if the seal is not good.

Low-maintenance siding on homes has decreased the need to paint regularly, but even low-maintenance materials need regular inspection. Check for cracks, dents, rust, fading, crumbling mortar joints, etc. Check the trim for cracked or peeling paint. Make sure doors and windows are sealed. Check caulking and weatherstripping. Don’t forget to check screens for tears and tightness.

Check the foundation for termites and any places water might seep in.

If you rent a home, a maintenance check can help you alert the owner to any problems and save both you and the owner extra expense.

Whether you have a new home or an older home, it is a good idea to have a maintenance plan. This will help you keep on task and help you keep ahead of major problems.

Lorene Bartos is an extension educator with Lancaster County Extension of the University of Nebraska. She can be contacted by telephone at (402) 441-7180; by mail at 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln NE 68528; or by e-mail at lbartos1@unl.edu.