our opinions : ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT
In The Comfort Zone
Spring Maintenance Items to Take Care of Right Now
By BRETT HOBSON CEO Comfort Experts
Brett Hobson
APRIL 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
98
It ’ s spring in North Texas and one of my favorite times of year . It ’ s not too cold , and it ’ s not too hot . It ’ s a great time to get outside and start looking at your house to see how it weathered the winter .
Although spring cleaning is on many people ’ s minds , my mind goes more to maintenance items that , if left untended , can cost big bucks in the future . I ’ ve put together 10 things you should look at now before the summer comes bearing down on us and it ’ s too hot to do any of them .
Roof – It ’ s the top of your home and you can generally see any problem using binoculars and your own eyes without having to get up on a ladder . Look for missing or cracked shingles . If your shingles have shifted , you may have to have new fasteners installed . Also , look for places where limbs are touching the house . You will want to have those trimmed back . Also have debris in the valleys and gutters of your roof removed .
Exterior walls – The walls keep the cold out and the cold in . This is the time of year to look for damage , whether your home is stucco , brick , shingle or wood siding . Look for water stains that indicate gutter damage or inadequate gutters . With wood , look for pests like carpenter ants , termites , bees , and even woodpeckers . Look for openings where squirrels , mice or rats might be able to enter . Close up all the places you can see to keep the pests out .
Chimney – Masonry chimneys need some TLC sometimes , so check for cracks , missing bricks or damage from plants . Proper cap any of these items can allow water into your home .
Foundation – This can be a scary one because it can be expensive if it needs repair . Cracks in the interior wall can be a symptom of foundation issues . It could be time to hire a professional if you see cracks in your foundation in addition to the ones in your walls . If left unchecked , it can cause not only structural damage , but extensive plumbing damage .
Windows – We lose a tremendous amount of heat and cooling around windows . Check weather stripping and caulking annually to make sure that all are still intact before the hot weather gets here . If you saw condensation inside the glass on double or triple-glazed windows throughout the winter , it may mean the seal is compromised and the window could need replacement .
Leaks – Leaky faucets , toilets , clogged drains and pipes that remain wet are all water wasters in your home . Tighten around pipes , dishwashers and disposals , especially where you see water stains . Replace washers in faucets and repair toilets that run continuously . All of these can cost you extra money on your monthly water bill .
Air conditioning – This is a great time to have your air-conditioning system serviced before the temperature gets hot and the companies all get busy . A well-running system will save you money because it is running at its peak efficiency . You should also be changing air filters regularly , as well as looking for leaks and making sure drain pans are not clogged . We get hundreds of call a year for air conditioning units leaking water in to the home due to clogged up drains . Most people don ’ t know that air conditioning units here in North Texas can produce over 20 gallons of water per day .
Attic – Look for signs that animals or insects spent the winter in your attic . Spray , bait or trap where needed . This is also a good time to look for mold . Proper insulation , no standing water or leaks and good ventilation should help keep any mold from developing in your attic as it gets warmer . Rodents in your attic can damage your wiring and cause electrical fires .
Exterior Cleaning – Pressure washing brick , wood , sidewalks , decks or porches can show you any repair , resurfacing or resealing that is needed for these surfaces . Spring is a good time to get these jobs done before it just gets hotter . This is also a good time to clean windows and screens and get them in shape .
Lawn care – We ’ ve had a rough end of winter , so rake lawns to remove any branches , leaves or debris you might have missed . Check the workings of sprinkler systems , look over garden tools and lawn mowers , trimmers and hoses . This is also a good time to give lawn furniture a good bath before you have your first barbecue with family and friends . Getting some of these items out of the way before you see your schedule filled with vacations and sports will let you cruise through the summer months and enjoy your family and friends . If we can be of help , be sure and give us a call . We want to be your Comfort Experts !