Home Maintenance Tips for Spring
1.) Ants: As most Oregonians know, at
this time of year these critters will probably be in a rush to make their
presence known. Email Alliance Properties Maintenance for tips & tricks to
prevent them from coming into your home.
2.) Examine Roof Shingles: Winter
weather can cause damage to your roof during the winter. As we move into the
summer season, the hot sun can damage your roof shingles. Be sure to take look
for cracked or loose shingles, as any of these should be replaced.
3.) Check your Gutters: Spring can
bring a heavy amount of rain, which can mean major issues if your gutters are
not draining correctly. Improper drainage can lead to water leaks in your
basement or crawl space, as well as rot on the siding of your home. Make sure
that the gutters are clean and clear, and down spouts are draining away from
the foundation of your home.
4.) Use Compacted Soil: The large
amount of spring rain fall can also lead to flooding in your yard if there are
low areas. Spreading compacted soil in these low areas of your yard will help
alleviate pooling water and flooding in your yard.
5.) Examine your Chimney: After a long
winter of using your wood burning fireplace, it’s always a good idea to have a
professional inspect and clean your chimney.
6.) Move your Firewood: After having
your chimney cleaned and inspected, be sure to store your firewood at least 18
inches off the ground, and 2 feet away from the structure.
7.) Check Exterior Faucets: Check all
of your exterior faucets for damage that may have occurred over the winter. If
you turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening, you
should not be able to stop the flow of water. If the flow of water stops, you
may have pipe damage inside the home. While you’re checking this, it’s always a
good idea to check your garden hose for rot.
8.) Service your AC Unit: While it’s
still a little early to begin using your AC, it’s always a good idea to get a
jump start on prepping for warm weather. Hiring a heating and cooling
contractor to service and inspect your air conditioner could save a lot of
hassle, and prevent unexpected breakdowns of your unit during the hot summer
months.
9.) Check Power Equipment: Check your
gas and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it’s ready for summer use.
This will make keeping up with the spring lawn growth much easier.
If
you’re ever in doubt, you can always contact our office at 503-350-1200. If you
find any maintenance issues during spring cleaning, please send an email to our
maintenance coordinators at apmaintenance@frontier.com.
Sincerely,
The Alliance
Properties Team