Tips to Prepare Your Home for Summer

Winter storms and springtime rain can wreak havoc on a home. The DC metro area got hit harder than usual this year and you don’t want summer storms to add to any problems.  Now is a good time to examine your home and get any necessary work done. You want to enjoy summer and not have any small problems become big problems, right?!Winter storms and springtime rain can wreak havoc on a home. The DC metro area got hit harder than usual this year and you don’t want summer storms to add to any problems.Now is a good time to examine your home and get any necessary work done. You want to enjoy summer and not have any small problems become big problems, right?!Here are some key tips for preparing your home for the warm days of summer, according to the National Association of Home Builders:1. Inspect the roof. Roofs should be checked for any loose, warped, or missing shingles. Also, home owners should check the chimney flashing and skylight seals are intact.2. Clean and repair gutters. Home owners should clear winter storm debris from gutters and downspouts. Also, they should double check that they are still securely attached to the house. Blocked or loose gutters can allow water to seep into your home and damage the trim.3. Check for any leaks. The most common culprits for “hidden” leaks: Attics, crawl spaces, and washing machine hoses. Also, look under sinks for damage from frozen pipes, and check your water heater for signs of corrosion.4. Clear exterior drains. Remove any leaves from underground or exterior drains to prevent any backups from rain and storms.5. Inspect siding. Inspect siding for pieces that may have come loose during winter storms. It’s also a good time to power wash siding.6. Check window and doors. Examine the exterior and interior caulking on door and window seals to ensure it remains watertight. It’s also a great time to clean windows and screens once the pollen count is down.7. Patch cracks. Patch cracks in concrete driveways, sidewalks, and steps to keep water out and prevent further expansion.8. Paint the exterior. This is a good time to paint or touch up the paint on the exterior to help protect it from the weather.9. Inspect the HVAC. Hire a qualified technician to service the home’s HVAC system to make sure it is running properly. You don’t want your AC to stop working on a hot day! Also, this is a good time for home owners to replace their HVAC filters.10. Check the home’s grading. Ensure the grading of the yard slopes away from the home’s foundation to keep excess moisture at bay. Springtime rain showers could indicate if any water pools in certain spots near your home. Consider getting a drain system to move that water away from the home.11. Inspect and trim branches from trees. Summer storms and high winds can make trees more vulnerable now, especially when they have lots of leaves. Now is a good time to examine your trees and get any necessary work done.You’ve still got time before summer officially hits, and hopefully you can get to these tips this weekend!