April showers and your home
Lead Summary
By
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Several variations of the old saying exist, but my favorite can be attributed to my younger brother, who, as a young boy reasoned that “April showers bring May floods.” You have to admire the brutal honesty of children.
While technically, spring has been with us for a few weeks, April is a good time to perform some minor maintenance and checks on your home. A few hours spent today may save you time, trouble and best of all, money.
With the arrival of warmer weather and the spring rains, now is an excellent time to make inspect the parts of your home which protect it from the elements. Start with your roof.
If, like many of us, your roof is constructed with shingles, look for loose or damaged shingles. Loose shingles may be re-fastened with a number of adhesives made just for this purpose. Damaged shingles should be replaced. Pay close attention to the “cap” which typically covers the roof at its peak, or ridge. If your roof is made from metal, you may be able to fasten loose sections with screws or nails. If the metal roof is of the standing seam (no visible fasteners) type, you will likely need a professional.
Flashings protect your home from water infiltration (leaks) at points where the roof meets chimneys, walls or valleys. These should be inspected at this time.
Time spent correcting minor problems can add years to the life of your roof, saving money. If you are unsure of your abilities, regarding working on your roof, perform you inspection by using binoculars and consult a professional to make any needed repairs. Ensure your professional is insured and that he or she can provide references to show they perform quality work.
Take time to inspect your gutters, if your home has them. If your property has trees, you will need to clean your gutters more frequently. You may wish to consider a system which keeps leaves from clogging the gutters if this is a recurring problem. Prices, for these types of systems range from inexpensive “do it yourself” kits, to professionally-installed systems, which may cost hundreds of dollars.
If you are considering any work which involves your gutters, be certain that you honestly assess your own abilities before attempting to perform this type of work, especially where working at heights are concerned.
I’d be slacking if I didn’t mention power lines, any time I write about ladders and working at heights. Be certain you keep away from any power lines, especially when you are using ladders. Bear in mind that you have to provide enough distance to prevent any unwanted contact with a power line under any circumstance. In addition, it is foolish to assume that power lines are insulated. If you have any doubts whatsoever about this, contact your power supplier. This information could save your life.
Now that we are back on solid ground, let’s spend some time checking how our gutters get the water away from your house. If they drain on the ground, use a splash block and make sure the ground slopes away from the home. Water which accumulates around your foundation can contribute to leaky basements and costly foundation damage.
Downspouts which empty into drains need to be checked on occasion. Drains need to remain free-flowing and it is always wise to confirm their openings are not obstructed. It is never advisable to drain rain water into a sanitary sewer system or your septic system.
Caulk and paint protect your home from the elements and now is a good time to check these items. If a door or window is maintained with regular paintings and applications of caulk, it will last for years.
Remember to use good quality products and take the time to properly prepare surfaces for these materials. Time spent on the preparation will pay big dividends down the road.
Remember that your home is probably your most valuable asset. While we’ve come a long way with respect to how our homes are constructed, they are not maintenance free.
This is an unfortunate truth about home ownership. Having said this, don’t lose heart. Regular maintenance on your home will save you time and money down the road, while protecting the value of your investment.
Remember that if you have any questions about your home, feel free to contact me at askthomasbauer@gmail.com.
Thom Bauer is a supervisor of construction and maintenance for a national utility company and a resident of Highland County.
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While technically, spring has been with us for a few weeks, April is a good time to perform some minor maintenance and checks on your home. A few hours spent today may save you time, trouble and best of all, money.
With the arrival of warmer weather and the spring rains, now is an excellent time to make inspect the parts of your home which protect it from the elements. Start with your roof.
If, like many of us, your roof is constructed with shingles, look for loose or damaged shingles. Loose shingles may be re-fastened with a number of adhesives made just for this purpose. Damaged shingles should be replaced. Pay close attention to the “cap” which typically covers the roof at its peak, or ridge. If your roof is made from metal, you may be able to fasten loose sections with screws or nails. If the metal roof is of the standing seam (no visible fasteners) type, you will likely need a professional.
Flashings protect your home from water infiltration (leaks) at points where the roof meets chimneys, walls or valleys. These should be inspected at this time.
Time spent correcting minor problems can add years to the life of your roof, saving money. If you are unsure of your abilities, regarding working on your roof, perform you inspection by using binoculars and consult a professional to make any needed repairs. Ensure your professional is insured and that he or she can provide references to show they perform quality work.
Take time to inspect your gutters, if your home has them. If your property has trees, you will need to clean your gutters more frequently. You may wish to consider a system which keeps leaves from clogging the gutters if this is a recurring problem. Prices, for these types of systems range from inexpensive “do it yourself” kits, to professionally-installed systems, which may cost hundreds of dollars.
If you are considering any work which involves your gutters, be certain that you honestly assess your own abilities before attempting to perform this type of work, especially where working at heights are concerned.
I’d be slacking if I didn’t mention power lines, any time I write about ladders and working at heights. Be certain you keep away from any power lines, especially when you are using ladders. Bear in mind that you have to provide enough distance to prevent any unwanted contact with a power line under any circumstance. In addition, it is foolish to assume that power lines are insulated. If you have any doubts whatsoever about this, contact your power supplier. This information could save your life.
Now that we are back on solid ground, let’s spend some time checking how our gutters get the water away from your house. If they drain on the ground, use a splash block and make sure the ground slopes away from the home. Water which accumulates around your foundation can contribute to leaky basements and costly foundation damage.
Downspouts which empty into drains need to be checked on occasion. Drains need to remain free-flowing and it is always wise to confirm their openings are not obstructed. It is never advisable to drain rain water into a sanitary sewer system or your septic system.
Caulk and paint protect your home from the elements and now is a good time to check these items. If a door or window is maintained with regular paintings and applications of caulk, it will last for years.
Remember to use good quality products and take the time to properly prepare surfaces for these materials. Time spent on the preparation will pay big dividends down the road.
Remember that your home is probably your most valuable asset. While we’ve come a long way with respect to how our homes are constructed, they are not maintenance free.
This is an unfortunate truth about home ownership. Having said this, don’t lose heart. Regular maintenance on your home will save you time and money down the road, while protecting the value of your investment.
Remember that if you have any questions about your home, feel free to contact me at askthomasbauer@gmail.com.
Thom Bauer is a supervisor of construction and maintenance for a national utility company and a resident of Highland County.
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