Essential Spring Cleaning To-Do List for Your Home Exterior

Spring has Sprung

We were blessed not to have to endure a particularly cold winter in the Southeast this year, but the seasons have now changed, and warmer air is moving in. This is a perfect time to assess the condition of your home exterior and make sure it’s ready for the warmer months ahead. You’re probably already into “spring cleaning” mode when it comes to addressing your home interior, but don’t forget to show your home exterior some love at the same time. A little intentional preventative maintenance in terms of home improvements now can absolutely pay significant dividends for you down the road.

Here’s a good spring cleaning to-do list for your home exterior

While it wasn’t the most brutal of winters, we still got over 12 inches of rain in many parts of NC and VA, and there’s sure to be more to come this spring. That being the case, now is an ideal time to provide some inspection and maintenance for your home’s essential external features. Add these items to your spring cleaning checklist:

¶ The Roof and Gutters

It’s smart to begin at the top of your house and then work your way down. Start by taking a look at your roof. Notice any missing shingles or other roofing materials? If so, this should be addressed promptly. Pay attention to the flashing and seals, too. Remove any limbs or debris that have fallen on your roof, and go ahead and do some gutter cleaning. You may be surprised at the amount of material that can accumulate in your gutters over the course of winter. Be mindful that some trees will hang onto their dead leaves until the new buds form in the spring. It’s important to ensure both your gutters and downspouts are flowing properly for optimal roof system health.

¶ Fascia and Soffit

These essential components of a roof overhang can easily get ignored by many homeowners. Fascia is the vertical board immediately below the roof line, which helps provide support for the roof structure. Gutters are usually mounted here, as well. Soffit is the horizontal face underneath that includes venting to help circulate air around your roof and attic. Both fascia and soffit are prone to moisture exposure and weathering, so they should be checked for damage on a regular basis.

¶ The Attic

Next, go inside your house and head up to the attic. Doing a walkthrough of your attic is helpful for assessing the condition of the roof from underneath. If you can see any light coming through, your roof definitely has some issues that need addressing. Check the joists and insulation for any evidence of water damage, too. If you can’t see anything, but you still smell mold, it’s a good idea to have a professional check it out. Mold and mildew only grow in moist environments, so there’s likely a leak somewhere. In addition, mold can be a health hazard in its own right.

¶ Exterior Siding

Missing, cracked, or otherwise damaged siding won’t fix itself, and it also makes your home vulnerable to moisture and pests. Warped siding is an indication that your structure is already experiencing negative moisture impacts underneath. If siding repair is needed, that’s something you shouldn’t wait on. Spring is also a good time to clean your siding and remove any dirt and grime. And in the Southeast, mildew can easily crop up on shaded siding, so you might want to spend a little more time cleaning those areas. Pro tip from Skywalker Windows & Siding: avoid using a pressure washer. There are other ways to effectively clean your siding, without running the risk of blowing pressurized water into your underlayment and sheathing.

¶ Windows and Doors

Definitely give your windows and exterior doors a good cleaning, but don’t stop there. Take the time to inspect the weather stripping and seals, too. If any are missing or damaged, weather stripping is fairly easy to replace, and caulk is simple enough to apply yourself. This basic maintenance can extend the life of your windows and doors, and will improve your home’s overall energy efficiency.

¶ Spigot and Water Hose Check

We did experience sub-freezing temperatures this winter, so do a quick check of your outdoor spigots and faucets. Turn on the spigot and place your thumb over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, your pipes aren’t producing enough pressure; this can be a sign of internal damage. Check any hoses you left outside over the winter, too. Residual water can freeze, expand, and even cause a hose to burst. If you stored your hoses under shelter, check those for dry rot too.

¶ Basement and Crawl Space

Don’t forget to check underneath the house as well. If you have a basement, look for any cracks or water infiltration in the walls and floors. The winter freeze/thaw cycle can lead to crack formation, which gives potential access to water and pests. If you have a crawl space instead, then get underneath and check for any foundation cracks or leaks.

¶ Do a little pruning

Pay attention to any nearby vegetation which could impact your home exterior, too. Early spring is a perfect time to prune trees and shrubs. Trim back any branches that touch or overhang your house. A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least two feet of clearance between your house and any nearby trees or large shrubs.

*Disclaimer: The above tips are intended merely as general guidelines. Any work you decide to do on your own property is of course conducted at your own risk. Skywalker Windows & Siding bears no responsibility or liability for any accidents that may occur as a result of seeking to follow these tips and guidelines.

Time for some exterior repairs or replacements? Trust the pros at Skywalker Windows & Siding!

In going through your spring cleaning to-do list, you may find some items on your home exterior that need repairing or replacing. Which home improvement companies should you consider? The only name to trust in NC and VA is Skywalker Windows & Siding! We provide everything from windows installations, to siding replacement, to roof replacement, to gutters & gutter guard installation, to fascia & soffit services, to porch & deck additions, and more.

We’re proud to serve the NC Piedmont Triad, NC Piedmont Triangle, the Lake Norman area, and the Southern VA region all the way up to Roanoke. Give us a call today at (336) 627-5596 , and let us show you the Skywalker difference!