Like many Americans, you are probably beginning to think about spring and spring cleaning your home. Unfortunately, you’ll need to do more than simply whip out the mop. Although it’s winter that brings in the cold temperatures, spring poses an additional set of concerns for your house. Thus, you will need to prepare your home for spring. By taking five measures to prep your house for spring, you will lessen the chances of an unfortunate disaster happening later in the season.
Reseal Window Edges
Kick-start your spring cleaning by starting with your home’s windows. The ice from winter causes window sealant to crack, break or completely fall away. Before the spring showers begin rolling in, reseal the exterior of your windows with a high-quality polymer such as caulk, silicone or adhesive sealant tape.
Replace Damaged Screens
What else accompanies spring beside plenty of rainfall? Insects. Spring is when millions of insects hatch and emerge from their protective winter homes. And guess what? They will be looking for a place to nest. Unfortunately, a torn or damaged window screen will let these insects into your home as you air out your interior. In fact, some insects can bite or sting, potentially making you very sick. While you have the option of replacing the entire screen, you can purchase mesh screen repair kits online or at your local home-improvement store.
Seal Off Chimney Vent
If you have a traditional fireplace, you will need to seal off your chimney. Most people think closing the vent is sufficient for sealing the chimney, but this still enables the cool air from the AC to escape. It also allows birds, insects and other creatures into your home. We recommend that you purchase an inflatable chimney-sealant kit. This sealant kit works similar to blowing up a balloon inside your chimney. Not only will this help with the cost of your electricity, but it helps keep you from needing to file an insurance claim for damage resulting from an improperly sealed chimney.
Seal Any Accesses Under Your House
In the spring, animals search for nesting areas. If you have unsealed accesses beneath your home, you could face a mountain of torn insulation, broken pipes and faulty wiring when animals begin looking for a place to call “home.” We advise you to check any exterior accesses that lead to your attic, as well as the crawl-space beneath your home. Yes, spring cleaning includes warding off any unwanted critters around your home.
Check Exterior for Roof Damage
The last step in prepping your home for spring remains the most important: check your roof for any exterior damages. If you notice faulty shingles or other areas of concern, you need to consult a roofing company to have the issue repaired immediately. Any roof damage will quickly develop into a huge problem during a large spring rainstorm.
Spring is definitely in the air, and with it brings the day-long rainstorms and lots of baby animals. So, you need to get your home ready by starting your spring cleaning now. Taking a few precautions to get your home ready for spring will ensure minor problems don’t become huge insurance claims. To see what your Homeowners Insurance covers, speak with an AIS agent at (855) 919-4247.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. Nor is it intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and the language contained therein will govern such policy.
