Get Ready for Spring and Summer, Inside and Out
Credit: PSECU
*Editor’s note: This year-long series about financial literacy is sponsored by PSECU.
Especially in the northeast, Old Man Winter can really take its toll on your home. Now’s the time to run through our checklist so your home and surrounding spaces are ready for summer fun.
Inside
It’s easy to think that springtime home maintenance is only for outdoor projects. There are two indoor tasks, though, you shouldn’t overlook.
- Let the sunshine in. Window cleaning is an easily overlooked spring task. But after months of short days, you want your windows and screens to be squeaky clean so you can soak in every drop of sun. Make sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner on the glass. For screens, take them off and clean with a mild detergent. Don’t make a rookie mistake and power wash! That’s a sure way to damage the mesh.
- Care for your caulking. Severe cold followed by milder temps causes your house to expand and contract. These moves are imperceptible to your eyes but could result in cracked caulking around windows. With summer and higher temperatures coming, take care of recaulking now so you’ll keep all that cool air inside.
Outside
Keeping your home in tip-top shape protects its value and can prevent the need for costly repairs. A post-winter look-see will help you spot and take care of small problems before they turn into big ones.
- Inspect your home’s dome. Even newer roofs can suffer from a harsh winter. With keen eyesight and maybe a pair of binoculars, you should be able to note things like shifted shingles and popped nails. If you see issues, contact a professional. Although we often encourage DIY as a smart way to save money, repairing a roof is one job that’s best left to the pros.
- Take a gander at your gutter. This is another inspection you can do with a stroll around your house. Loose gutters are easy to spot. To check for leaks, run some water through the gutters and keep an eye out for any drips. Debris can clog up gutters even after you cleaned them during fall maintenance.
- Check out your chimney. Flashing can come loose over the course of a winter. Inspect your chimney for other signs of damage like cracks or missing mortar. As for the interior, here’s another instance where we recommend going with a pro. Chimney sweeping is more involved than most people realize.
- Eye up your siding. Where you focus your inspection depends on the type of siding you have. Wood? Look for any areas that have rotted over the winter. Vinyl? Check around the seams for where it might be pulling away from the house. Brick? Even brick can be subject to the effects of winter. Look for cracks in the mortar or bricks that seem to be coming out of place.
Although we’ve hit on the highlights of spring maintenance, there are a host of other to-dos to get your home and outdoor space ready for a summer of fun. Things like sprucing up your deck or patio area, getting your grill up and running, and inspecting your AC unit should all be part of your annual routine when it’s time to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring.
Get Rewarded for Your Home Maintenance Costs
We’ve got you covered when it comes to paying for maintenance items both large and small. Our Founder’s Rewards Card is perfect for your DIY shopping. You’ll earn 2%* or 1.5% cash rewards on all your home improvement needs. For those larger projects, consider our affordable Home Equity Line of Credit options.
*You can earn 1.5% cash rewards on purchases. You can earn 2% cash rewards on purchases if you maintain a PSECU checking account and qualifying monthly direct deposit(s) of at least $500. See the Visa® Founder’s Card and Visa® Alumni Rewards Card Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for full details.
The content provided in this publication is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated is to be construed as financial or legal advice. Some products not offered by PSECU. PSECU does not endorse any third parties, including, but not limited to, referenced individuals, companies, organizations, products, blogs, or websites. PSECU does not warrant any advice provided by third parties. PSECU does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by third parties. PSECU recommends that you seek the advice of a qualified financial, tax, legal, or other professional if you have questions.
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