Your Spring Home Repairs Checklist

The coming of spring heralds the end of snow, icy roads and the feeling of “hibernating” while riding out the cold weather. While the trees start budding and flowers start blooming, the change of the seasons also signifies it’s time for a few key home repairs.

Over the winter months, fluctuating temperatures, ice, melting snow and humidity can all impact the exterior of your house. As soon as the weather warms up, it’s a good idea to walk through your property and look for any damage. It’s also wise to give certain areas a thorough cleaning, getting rid of any debris that may have built up over the winter. While looking at your property you may notice specific concerns, such as cracks in your cement walkway or fallen tree branches in the yard. But there are a few repairs every homeowner should complete, or hire a handyman service professional to complete, as soon as the weather warms up.

Clean Your Gutters

Your gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year. Once in the fall before the weather turns cold and once in the spring. It’s imperative to keep your gutters in good condition. As snow melts or rain falls, your gutters’ purpose is to collect water from your roof and move it away from your house via downspouts. If the gutters or downspouts are clogged, the water will spill over the sides of your house. This destroys your landscaping and negatively impacts your home's foundation. The surplus of water can erode the ground around your house, and possibly even flood your home.

Cleaning your gutters can be an onerous task. It’s dirty, messy, smelly and can be dangerous—particularly if you’re not used to working on ladders. That’s why it’s best to hire a professional handyman service, such as from the team at Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale. We’ll thoroughly and safely clean your gutters so you don’t have to worry about the negative impacts of improper drainage.

Check Siding for Damage

Like any area of your home that’s exposed to the elements, your siding may become damaged over time—particularly after the winter. Any existing cracks or missing pieces will worsen during the colder months. Moisture that seeps into these gaps will freeze. When water turns into ice, it expands. This widens the cracks and pushes against your siding. Once the ice melts in the spring, you could be left with missing pieces or severely damaged siding. With the help of our expert service professionals, we can repair and replace siding that’s seen better days. While looking at your property for signs of damage, pay attention to the following:

• Minor to moderate staining, mildew and mold

• Holes, chips, dents and cracks

• Loose siding panels

Pressure Wash Your Driveway

After the snow melts, you might find staining, dirt and build-up on your driveway. Perhaps your vehicle was parked outside during the winter and has left gasoline stains on the concrete, or maybe the run-off from dirty snow has left a layer of grime. In any case, pressure washing the surface can make your driveway look like new.

Although a quick pressure wash can instantly improve your house’s curb appeal, the machine can be dangerous to use in untrained hands. The water is sprayed at such a high pressure that it might cut exposed skin. That’s why you should only hire a professional to pressure wash for you. At Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale, all of our service professionals are trained to safely use a pressure washer.

Scrub and Stain Your Deck

Barbecuing in the sun, sipping on something refreshing, reading a good book while your children play in the yard... during the summer, your deck will be the perfect outdoor getaway. But if it’s looking worn, it’s worth giving it a deep clean and a fresh stain in the spring. Also, maintaining your deck’s stain helps protect against water damage and moisture that could rot the wood. Although cleaning and staining your deck is not difficult, it is time-consuming. We know you have better things to do, so why not add it to your list of home repairs for our experts to tackle?

Repair Damaged Fencing

Your fence serves many purposes. It clearly marks your property lines, provides privacy, contributes to your curb appeal and keeps playing children and pets safe. But after a winter of cool weather and snowfall, your fence might need a little TLC. Water damage and fluctuating temperatures could cause paint to peel, boards to come loose or even nails to become exposed. While unsightly, damaged fencing is also a safety hazard—particularly for small children. The good news is that the service professionals at Mr. Handyman are highly adept at fixing fences. We’ll get your home’s perimeter looking spring-ready in no time!

Fix Ripped Door and Window Screens

While the springtime brings with it warmth, sunshine and green grass, it also brings mosquitoes. That’s why it’s very important to check that all your screens—for both windows and doors—are not torn or otherwise damaged. These pesky little insects will find any means necessary to get into your home. Their itchy bites can be quite uncomfortable, so it’s best to keep them out by ensuring your screens are in the best condition possible. Should you notice a tear in your screen or another issue with your windows and doors, our service professionals can efficiently fix the problem. If needed, we can also install a replacement window screen.

Caulk Around Windows

Caulk is an effective means to prevent pests and water damage from seeping into your home. But, it does not last forever, and it can be tricky to spot issues with your caulk in the winter because most homeowners spend less time outdoors. Although caulk is made to withstand freezing temperatures, if it’s old it might start to crack and wear. This is detrimental—especially as the weather changes—because moisture that’s otherwise kept at bay by your caulk could rot your window frame, surrounding siding and drywall. If you’re not confident with DIY tasks, add re-caulking your windows to the to-do list you give our expert service professionals.

Hire Our Home Repair Services Today!

At Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale, we are your “one call does it all!” handyman service. Once you’ve taken a look at your property to determine what home repairs need to be done this spring, give our personable office staff a call. We’ll set you up with a qualified service professional at a convenient appointment time. You can relax knowing all your maintenance to-dos are taken care of by our expert service professionals.

To get started, or to learn more about our services, we invite you to give us a call or send us a text today or request a service online.